Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy led a South African National Parks (SANParks) initiative on Friday to distribute food hampers and water tanks to families under the Mdluli, Mahaule, Mnisi and Amashangana Traditional Authorities on the Mpumalanga side, and the Gidjani and Bevhula Traditional Authorities on the Limpopo side of the Kruger National Park.

The Minister was supported by SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni and senior SANParks officials.

She explained that the R6-million funding for the initiative had been sourced from the SANParks Honorary Rangers and the United Nations Development Programme and would support 7 500 families with food parcels, hygiene products, education materials and water tanks.

The 80 water tanks have been installed in the most water stressed villages within these traditional authorities.

“Because of the national Covid-19 lockdown, tourism, which is the main source of income for these communities, has dried up. This has affected the well-being of the families reliant on tourism for an income. That is why we decided to try and make their lives a little easier in these trying times,” said Creecy.

She said that most national parks, if not all, are situated in rural areas affected by poverty, unemployment and a range of other socioeconomic problems.

She promised that government would ensure that the donations benefit families that have been identified as vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are aware that children, unemployed women and old people living with small children head some of the families. It’s important that as we hand over these much-needed food parcels, we ensure that help is provided directly where it is needed most,” Creecy asserted.