Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Department of Land Affairs. The CPA executive, with the help of their legal and
trust advisors, make decisions about which projects in the community to support.
The Trust has proven to be an effective way in which community leadership can
take tough decisions, for example, cutting back the money going to the Chief, with
the backing of advisors.
Comparing the Makuleke and the Richtersveld
Throughout the process of implementing different approaches to sustainable
tourism development in both case studies many valuable lessons were learned.
Even though the two cases are socially and geographically incomparable, there are
some overarching principles which emerge in light of the communities' vision of
developing the area. The Richtersveld community chose a community-based
lodge, for their own reasons. In the end the lack of capacity and funds within the
community to set up a proper, top-range tourism industry limited their potential
to obtain economic benefits from their claimed land.
On the other hand, the Makuleke community has proven highly resilient and
capable of entering into successful agreements with the private sector. With the
support of a variety of agencies, they were able to succeed in doing so for their
tourism concessions within their claimed land. It has proven very successful to
have a broad and deep base of strong, committed and representative community
leaders in Makuleke. Aside from the fact of having a strong common history, the
availability of a variety of key figures has ensured the success of the Makuleke
community. From a sustainability perspective, the CPPP model seems to be the
most appropriate model for sustainable tourism ventures. It allows for a broad
base of involvement from different sectors such as government, community, civil
society, private sector, etc. Furthermore the CPPP model allows for the effective
handover of infrastructure and, more importantly, of an effective long-term
handover and mentoring of community members with the necessary skills and
capacities related to running a lucrative tourism venture.
Interacting with local municipalities
The Richtersveld and Makuleke cases set out two different models for interaction
with local municipalities. In the case of the Richtersveld community, consultation
and involvement has brought about one of the most successful cases of involving
the municipality in the communities' projects and integrating the project into the
municipality's IDP. In the case of the Makuleke community, the community chose
not to deal too closely with the municipality but they had a variety of other
partners collaborating with them. The variety of experiences shows that irrespec-
tive of the commitment of the municipality or the relationship to the municipality,
community-based conservation projects can thrive. At the core of their success
lies the imperative need for solid, stable and good partners. These do not neces-
sarily have to include municipal partners as long as other strong and committed
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