2004-05-11 : MAPUNGUBWE

DURBAN South African National Parks yesterday announced the launch of the Mapungubwe National Park in Limpopo.

Previously known as Vhembe Dongola National Park, Mapungubwe is 60km west of Musina and 230km northeast of Polokwane. The park includes the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape and the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site. It is in an area covering more than 28 OOOha. It is part of a project to form a major transfrontier conservation area, the Limpopo/Shashe Transfrontfer Park, which will include Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, it will link Mapungubwe with Zimbabwe`s Tuli Safari area and Botswana`s Tuli Block.

`We are very excited about this newest addition. Our decision to develop the Mapungubwe National Park is based on the rich biodiversity of the area and its scenic beauty,` said chief executive of South African National Parks, David Mabunda. `The area is also of immense cultural and historical significance because of the archaeological treasures of Mapungubwe.` With its surrounding areas, Mapungubwe National Park has the potential to be a sanctuary for viable populations of some of the most threatened large mammals including black and white rhinoceroses, wild dog, and the continent`s flagship species, the African elephant, he said. The park`s tourism facilities will be up and running in August.

SAPA - This Day 11 May 2004