This year, the prestigious Dallas Safari Club Convention is currently taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States of America. This important event, is one of the world’s largest platforms for the international safari industry. It also provides a crucial opportunity to attract foreign investment and showcase South Africa’s unique biodiversity.
Leading the North West Province delegation at this inaugural Atlanta convention is MEC Bitsa Lenkopane. In the absence of the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, MEC Lenkopane assumes the role of South Africa’s representative, emphasising the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable wildlife utilisation.
The convention serves as a vital platform for engaging with leading international conservationists and investors. MEC Lenkopane is actively participating in discussions with counterparts from Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. These SADC counterparts are addressing shared challenges such as the management of burgeoning elephant populations in the region.
MEC Lenkopane emphasised that “the primary objective of attending the Dallas Safari Club Convention is to attract foreign investment in order to revitalise the North West Province’s protected areas network and enhance contribution to South Africa’s biodiversity economy.”
Key to this effort are South Africa’s professional hunting associations: the Custodians of Professional Hunting and Conservation South Africa and the Professional Hunting Association of South Africa. Representing over 154 outfitters, these associations are actively promoting South Africa as a
premier hunting tourism destination.
Together we move North West Forward
The delegation is working closely with these associations to address concerns regarding the current export quota processes, which the government is committed to resolving expeditiously.
The North West Province, renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, currently ranks third in South Africa for its contribution to the national GDP through international hunting tourism, following Limpopo and the Eastern Cape.
Issued by the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and
Tourism
For inquiries, contact:
Mr. Jonathan Denga Director Biodiversity Management
0728108521
Email: DengaJ@nwpg.gov.za Twitter: @nwpg_dedect Facebook: @nwdedect