Hon Speaker and hon members, following deliberations over a number of months, in December 2008 Cabinet approved the use of equitable redress as the only option for the settlement of land claims against the Kruger National Park. This option is provided for in terms of section 34 of the Land Restitution Act. In terms of this section, claimants receive fair and equitable financial compensation for the loss of their land rights. This option was chosen because restoration of title on this land in the National Park was not feasible.
However, Cabinet decided that the community's expectation of taking possession of their ancestral land is a deserving and reasonable expectation. That is why Cabinet felt we need to address this matter in a manner that would create a win-win situation, because the requirements of maintaining the park for biodiversity purposes are as important to the country and the nation as a whole as the rights of the claimants to that land, hence the decision to compensate them.
In addition to financial compensation, the claimant families of land within the park will have rights to ancestral graves or traditional site visits on agreed calendar days for commemorations or any ritual that they need to observe; acknowledgement of the history of communities when naming facilities and camps; environmental education for children and youth; job opportunities; and preferential procurement opportunities. These are some of the elements built into this package.
A community levy will be charged to all visitors, and it will be channelled into a community trust fund which will be used to fund future community development projects, broad-based black economic empowerment opportunities and equity in commercial concessions. These options were considered and the decision was taken by Cabinet on merit to create this win-win solution. I thank you. [Applause.]