Tsitsikamma and Trail Running – setting the gold standard for inclusive conservation

Victor Mokoena and his team in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park are increasingly setting the gold standard for an inclusive model for conservation, and SANParks’ positive relationship with the Otter TERREX Trail once again delivered a top-class event in the Southern Cape earlier this month.

The sport of trail running, the surrounding communities and the Tsitsikamma Forest itself were all beneficiaries of the trail marathon, run annually along the 42km length of the iconic Otter Trail.

Exclusionary approaches to conservation may have been beneficial in certain situations but in many cases this approach has proved counter-productive and has led to an increase in criminal activities, including poaching.

Mokoena believes strongly that the buy-in from people and communities is essential to long term conservation success and relates several ‘poacher turned game-keeper’ examples to illustrate this point.

People from surrounding communities to the Tsitsikamma Forest had previously engaged in anti-social behaviour and criminal activities within the park. Now that they are benefitting directly from the many services the park has to offer and they are helping to ensure its long-term conservation.

By welcoming trail running into the park in a controlled manner, rather than posting ‘no-running’ signs, Mokoena has reaped social, economic, education and conservation benefits which he believes will sustain the conservation of the Tsitsikamma into the long-term future.

“The Otter TERREX Trail partnership (formerly Otter African Trail Run) goes back fifteen years and is based on collaborating with like-minded people around similar goals,” Mokoena reflected at the race venue at Storms River. “The relationships we have built over this time have brought communities together, both the trail communities and local residents.

“Many people have enjoyed running on trails through protected areas. People need to connect with nature to find themselves once again. Hosting the Otter TERREX Trail brings into the park not simply trail runners, but like-minded people who love conservation and want to link that to their sport.

“If you enjoy sport and want to participate in a healthy environment, SANParks provides exactly that.”

Because the Garden Route National Park is an open-system conservation area (unlike the Kruger National Park, which has mostly been fenced) there have been a number of ‘conflicting of land use’ incidents in the past, including poaching and theft from hikers. But Mokoena has turned this around by working with, rather than against, the communities.

“People from our neighbouring communities have come up with ideas themselves to grow businesses based on what the park has to offer,” Mokoena continued. “They came up with some excellent ideas, including the provision of a slack packing opportunity to benefit hikers.

“Four local entrepreneurs from the communities are employing over twenty young people at any one time.

“They provide a range of services to hikers in addition to carrying their packs to the huts, including a shuttle service from George and Gqeberha airports. Their business has grown, and they raised nearly R1 million in the last financial year.”

Has this change in management strategy made a positive difference to the conservation of Tsitsikamma?

“There is no question that it has,” Mokoena remarked. “Past approaches of keeping people out of the park have changed. Now we are working with local communities and they are benefitting directly.  The services and opportunities offered by the park are enormous.

“This has led to a significant reduction in criminal activities in the park. Local communities, who have historically lived in this area, are now the first to intervene in the case of incidents which could damage the park as these actions could also harm their business.”

SANParks’ annual Kudu Awards Ceremony takes place in November and recognises excellence in conservation, both within the organization and amongst its external partners and Mokoena’s leadership style was a key factor in Tsitsikamma’s partners bagging several Kudus last year for its partners, including the Otter TERREX Trail.

“I’m proud that three stakeholders from Tsitsikamma won Kudus for the roles they are playing within the park and also ensuring that conservation goes beyond the Park’s borders.  

“This is a legacy of Tsitsikamma’s amazing model, which brings the people back to re-connect with nature, through businesses, environment education, community-based conservation, sport and so on.

“One of the reasons the Otter TERREX Trail won the kudu is that they understand our vision of reconnecting people to nature. They were intentional about responsible tourism, conservation of biodiversity and understanding the socio-economic transformation in this area through their employment of local businesses and people.”

Like any Park Manager in South Africa, Mokoena faces significant challenges, including ensuring the Park’s financial recovery from the doldrums of the COVID years, but he is optimistic about the future.

“For me a major highlight has been seeing local people visiting the park regularly once again and spending time enjoying nature.  And the Garden Route National Park is back in SANParks’ Top Five best parks!”