The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, David Maynier, has formally declared 18 properties spanning 10 225.9242 hectares in the Eastern Cape as the Grasslands National Park — the first national park in South Africa established primarily through a biodiversity stewardship model, under which landowners keep their land while committing it to conservation. 

ALSO READ: South Africa adopts new strategy to protect seabirds from fishing impacts

Situated in the Eastern Cape highlands between Nqanqarhu and Rhodes, the park will help protect under-represented grassland ecosystems and part of the Eastern Cape Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area. These landscapes are important for water security, biodiversity and the livelihoods supported by the region’s working agricultural land.

Minister Maynier has assigned the management of the new Grasslands National Park to South African National Parks (SANParks) in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act.

The declaration follows the publication of a notice of intention in 2025 and the conclusion of the statutory process under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003. It moves the project from a proposed protected area to a formally declared national park.

ALSO READ: Delheim Estate opens pine forests to Stellenbosch University forestry students

“The declaration of the Grasslands National Park is an important step in protecting one of South Africa’s least-protected biomes and a strategic water source landscape. It also demonstrates how conservation and compatible productive land use can reinforce one another through voluntary, long-term partnerships,” Maynier said.

Landowners retain ownership

Alongside the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and SANParks, WWF South Africa played a leading role in coordinating the establishment of the park, together with a wide range of partners.

ALSO READ: SANParks delivers emergency water to storm-affected communities

The park has been established primarily through biodiversity stewardship. Under this approach, participating landowners retain ownership of their land while committing it to agreed conservation and management arrangements. Conservation-compatible agricultural activities may continue, supporting both ecological protection and local livelihoods.

Minister Maynier said: “This is the first national park established primarily through a biodiversity stewardship model. This initiative is an example of how inclusive partnerships can drive large-scale conservation success,” said Maynier.