From Sunday 11 to Friday 16 September, day visitors to most of the 22 national parks across South Africa will be granted free access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spearheaded by South African National Parks (SANParks) in partnership with Total South Africa and First National Bank, the 17th annual SA National Parks Week has seen an influx of over 619 252 day visitors in all participating parks since its inception in 2006. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
SANParks acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hapiloe Sello says that the idea of a national parks focus week is a world-wide campaign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe week was established in a bid tocultivate a sense of pride in South Africans for their natural, cultural and historical heritage, protected by the national parks system.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The theme of the initiative is \u201cKnow Your National Parks\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sello says the survival of the national parks system and the natural and cultural heritage lies in the people of South Africa. \u201cEnvironmental education and protection is the responsibility of everyone, not just a privileged few,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sello, the initiative aims to give the public an understanding of the role that SANParks plays as custodian of the country\u2019s natural heritage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we are to create a sense of ownership of the natural heritage of South Africa in all South Africans, then all South Africans must be able to have access to such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe especially want our young people to take advantage of this opportunity because this heritage will be under their protection in the near future,\u201d he concludes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the parks will be extending the week to include the weekend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Free access to parks does not include free access to accommodation facilities and other tourist activities.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n From Sunday 11 to Friday 16 September, day visitors to most of the 22 national parks across South Africa will be granted free 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