Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape has signed a groundbreaking partnership agreement with the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
They are one of only two game reserves in South Africa that have been selected as a pilot project for the industry.
Amakhala Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape has signed a groundbreaking partnership agreement with the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
They are one of only two game reserves in South Africa that have been selected as a pilot project for the industry.
The pilot project will involve developing and demonstrating good conservation and workplace management practices within a game lodge environment.
This will then serve as a model to be rolled out more generally once the pilot phase has been completed. Amakhala and Madikwe Game Reserves were selected in terms of the ILO criteria that looked for viable game lodge operations located in a rural setting and linked to vulnerable communities.
The three main focus areas are: • The development of sustainable small businesses within the local community that will develop skills, create employment and provide products to lodges.
• Development of a workable conservation management plan that facilitates the synergy between a commercial operation and sustainable conservation and energy practices;
• Human Resource and workplace management issues;
• Empowering staff to understand and increase the efficiency of the processes involved in running a game lodge.
The ILO is funding the project for two years. The first year is largely taken up by the research and preparatory phase, while the second year is for implementation.
Experts from the ILO will be working hand in hand with owners, management and staff at Amakhala to address the relevant issues.
