GROUNDBREAKING AGREEMENT ON MALA-MALA LAND CLAIM

The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Gugile Nkwinti, the members of the N'wandlamharhi CPA, and the previous land owners of the internationally renowned MalaMala Game Reserve today reached a  groundbreaking  agreement  on  the settlement of the claim on 13 184ha of land previously occupied by the Nhlangwisweni communities in the early 1800s.

A transitional agreement has been reached among the parties to allow the current MalaMala operating company to continue to manage the business going forward while negotiating the business partnership. During this period the community will receive an amount of R700 000.00 occupational rental per month.

The parties have agreed on a co-management model that will ensure that the business operations remain sustainable and continue to contribute to the economy of the country. As part of the 1st phase of the broader Sabi Sand Game Reserve, the state has paid R1.1bn for the acquisition of the MalaMala Game Reserve. The remaining portions will be dealt with in different phases.

According to Minister Nkwinti, the government's interest is to ensure that a win-win situation is realized in the partnership going forward. "The game reserves holds part of our heritage as South Africans, for us the key issue in settling this claim is about social investment, and as government we believe we have made the right decision with the MalaMala land hand over", Minister Nkwiti pointed out.

An elated Mr Perry Sambo, chairperson of the N'wandlamharhi CPA expressed his gratitude for the settlement package. "This deal has a potential to bring change in the lives of our members, including the neighbouring communities who stand to benefit from job opportunities emanating out of the business", he said.

Statement jointly issued by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, the N'wandlamharhi CPA, and the Mala-Mala Ranch (PTY) LTD, November 16 2013

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