NWPL Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism Welcomes Turnaround Strategy for Madikwe Game Reserve

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, chaired by Hon. Mpho Khunou, has welcomed the turnaround strategy presented by the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) regarding the management of the Madikwe Game Reserve.

This follows a recent oversight visit by the Committee to the Madikwe Game Reserve, attended by the MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Hon. Bitsa Lenkopane, as well as senior officials from the Department and NWPTB. The engagements focused on challenges facing the reserve, the strategic direction of the Madikwe Future Company, and reports of animal welfare concerns, particularly in relation to elephant mortality.

The Committee sought clarity after reports surfaced in the media highlighting high rates of elephant deaths allegedly linked to negligence. During the session, Acting CEO of NWPTB, Mr. Jonathan Denga, confirmed that the reserve has lost 75 animals—mostly young elephants—due to malnutrition caused by overpopulation. With 1,633 elephants, Madikwe faces significant ecological strain, far exceeding the carrying capacity of its 60,000-hectare footprint. Current elephant density is at 2.7 per km², compared to the recommended 0.79 per km² for state-run reserves.

The MEC informed the Committee that a provincial task team has been established, in collaboration with the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. The task team includes NWPTB, SANBI, SANParks, DFFE, and academic institutions, and will oversee the implementation of the turnaround strategy. The proposed measures include sustainable elephant population management through regulated trophy hunting, contraception, and selective culling of animals with health deficiencies, aiming to preserve biodiversity and strengthen the wildlife economy.

“We are pleased to note this strategy, and look forward to its implementation as it will resolve long outstanding issues that have seen the deterioration of the NWPTB—especially regarding employee salary payments, poaching control systems, and ensuring the surrounding communities benefit meaningfully from tourism activities, stated Hon. Khunou.”

The strategy also aims to recover at least 65% of the R85 million in outstanding debt, improve contract consistency for concessionaires and traversing rights, and introduce access control systems at Pilanesberg and Madikwe gates to reduce revenue losses.
The Committee requested several reports from the Department and NWPTB, including:
• A comprehensive audit report on Maape and Kgomo, and Golden Leopard Resorts
• Clarification on the Pilanesberg Landing Strip governance
• Inclusion of unaddressed infrastructure challenges in the turnaround plan
• A detailed financial strategy with clear implementation timelines

The Committee further recommended that the Department strengthen its communications strategy to keep communities better informed of opportunities and developments in the conservation and tourism sectors.
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Issued by: North West Provincial Legislature: Media & Communications Unit on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism – Hon. Mpho Khunou