4.2 Local community living adjacent to HiP
4.2.5 The Community and the Economic Impacts of Ecotourism
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Sifundimvelo programme 4 3.1
The respondents from the Nompondo community described the negative impacts of ecotourism as cannot visit relatives working in HiP (3.8%), high pregnancy rate (47.6%), human wildlife conflict (5.3%), not allowed to use plants for medicinal purposes (2.3%), wildlife crime (15.3%), increase in HIV/AIDS (7.6%), restricted access to natural resources (13%), limited employment opportunities (3%) and lowering community values (1.5%). Most of the negative impacts relate to social disruption and restricted access to resources.
From Table 4.24 it is evident that 90% of the respondents from the Nompondo community agreed that an increase in job opportunities (though seasonal) will lead to development in the community. Respondents of the Nompondo community listed the following additional positive changes due to ecotourism: benefit sharing (4.6%), selling arts and crafts to tourists (1.5%), training and education (0.7%) and the sifundimvelo programme (3.0%). Therefore, most of the positive impacts are associated with development in the community and specifically economic opportunities.
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was confirmed by the regional Community Conservation Co-ordinator that the iNkosi and selected members of the community are serving on the local board of directors for the HiP. In addition, 19.2% of the respondents from the Nompondo community also indicated that the local counsellor was also approached to develop partnerships with the HiP.
The results are a clear indication for a lack of information dissemination with regards to partnership development and the income generated by the ecotourism sector in the HiP. The researcher learnt from the respondents that ecotourism sector in the HiP tends to attract only the community members that are articulate, have information and have positions of power (either traditional or political). This is a clear indication that information about partnership development and income generated by ecotourism in the HiP is not disseminated to the wider community.
Figure 4. 8: Respondents’ family members working in the HiP (in %)
Ninety eight percent of the respondents from the Nompondo community indicated that no family members work in the HiP. Only 2% of the respondents indicated that family household members work in the HiP (Figure 4.9). The respondents attributed this to a very high unemployment rate and very few job opportunities within the area, which is a clear indication that the HiP cannot meet the job demands of the unemployed. This was in agreement with what the researcher learnt from the conservation manager. The results from the interviews with HiP management suggested that the best way forward would be to
2%
98%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Yes No
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establish more curio markets and maintain good relations with the management of privately owned tourist related facilities within close proximity, which have proved to be a source of additional jobs to the neighbouring communities.
Similarly, the Regional Community Conservation Co-ordinator suggested that EKZNW should put into action the following plans: ensure that more tourists visit the Park, maximise the opportunities for tourism both within and outside the Park and facilitate community-based tourism and outsourcing opportunities.
Table 4. 26: Job details of the respondents who are employed by the HiP from the Nompondo community
Job details Frequency (n=130) Percentage (100)
Family member: Father Son Not applicable
1 2 127
0.8 1.5 97.7 Type of job: General assistant
Game capturer Tour guide
Not applicable
1 1 127 1
0.8 0.8 97.7 0.8 Monthly salary: >R3000
Not applicable 3
127 2.3
97.7 Nature of job: Permanent
Seasonal Not applicable
2 1 127
1.5 0.8 97.7
With regard to the family members who are employed, one respondent mentioned a cousin and another 1.5% stated a son (Table 4.26). The respondents further stated that the jobs offered include general assistants (0.7%), game capturers (0.7%) and tour guides (0.7%).
Furthermore, 2.3% of the respondents indicated that the family member receives a monthly wage of more than >R3 000 a month (Table 4.26). Regarding the nature of the job, 1.5% of the respondents mentioned that the jobs are permanent while one stated that employment was seasonal (Table 4.26). The implications of these findings are that although unemployment is rife in the area, the Park is trying to tackle this challenge by employing local community members.
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Figure 4. 9: Respondents’ knowledge of black-owned tourism business (in %)
Respondents were questioned whether they knew of any Black-owned tourism businesses.
The majority of the respondents from the Nompondo community (91%) indicated that they did not know of any Black-owned ecotourism businesses. However, there were few respondents (9%) that indicated that they knew of Black-owned tourism businesses in the area. This is similar to earlier findings that illustrate that most of the tourism tour operators and Park owners are Whites and reflects the South African economic landscape.
When the respondents were further asked whether they would like to have tourists visit their community, the results reveal that all responded positively. Bruyere et al. (2009) also noted a similar response from the communities bordering the Amboseli National Park. This is to some degree an indication that the majority of the people from local communities have positive attitudes and perceptions towards tourists though there are a few isolated cases of crime, especially within the iMfolozi section. In fact personal communications with the Community Conservationist, the Regional Community Conservation Co-ordinator and the Conservation manager revealed that EKZNW has already implemented the plan of taking tourists to the neighbouring communities. The tourists are already visiting the community though not in large numbers probably because there are limited attractions. This is similar to what Johnson et al. (2009) noted that lodge operators in the Madikwe Game Reserve (North West Province) take tourists to a local village to experience traditional food or theatre and in return the villagers receive a fee. The community members are, therefore, urged to organise more attractions within the community. Furthermore, according to the Community
9.0%
91.0%
0
Yes No
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Conservation Co-ordinator, there is a plan to take tourists from Hilltop Camp into the communities but she cautioned that the success of this venture would depend on the interest of the tourists. In addition, community tour guides are also being trained in order to conduct tours within the neighbouring communities.
Table 4. 27: Desired tourist facilities to be established in the Nompondo community Desired tourist facility in the
community Frequency (n=130) Percentage (100)
Community accommodation 65 50
Cultural centre 20 15.4
Community conservation area 16 12.3
Restaurant 7 5.4
Jobs and income generation 13 10
Security 7 5.4
No response 2 1.5
When the respondents were asked to mention the facilities they desire to be set up in their community, their responses reflected a wide variety of facilities. The specific facilities mentioned were community accommodation (50%), cultural centre (15.4%), community conservation area (12.3%), restaurant (5.4%), jobs and income generation (10%) and security (5.4%). However, 1.5% did not respond (Table 4.27).
The results in Table 4.28 reveal that most of the respondents are willing to assist in putting up tourist facilities within the community. When the respondents were asked to indicate how they would assist the following ways were stated: providing person power in construction (6.9%), security (15.4%), craft products (6.9%), provide site (2.3%), financial assistance (2.3%), maintaining the facilities (29.2%), serve as a worker (13.1%) and promotion of Zulu culture and tradition (6.9%). The rest of the respondents suggested any form of assistance (10.8%), did not know (2.3%) or did not respond (3.9%). The results clearly indicate that the local communities are willing to work jointly with the interested parties in promoting the tourism industry within the community.
In fact, with EKZNW facilitating the process a lot of desired tourist facilities have been proposed for the neighbouring communities and Park management has moved a step ahead.
For example, plans are underway to set up cultural villages at the community education centre.
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Table 4. 28: Respondents’ views on their input into developing facilities
Input in facility development Frequency (n=130) Percentage (100)
Person power 9 6.9
Security 20 15.4
Craft products 9 6.9
Provide site 3 2.3
Financial assistance 3 2.3
Maintain the facilities 38 29.2
Serve as worker 17 13.1
Promotion of Zulu culture and tradition 9 6.9
Any form of assistance 14 10.8
Don’t know 3 2.3
No response 5 3.9