By Duncan Mnisi
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape — In a significant move towards fostering sustainable conservation and inclusive participation, South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the inaugural Vision 2040 Indaba, set to take place at Running Waters in Gqeberha from September 3 to 5, 2025.
This landmark event is the culmination of extensive consultations aimed at shaping a strategic framework to guide conservation efforts across the country.
The Vision 2040 Indaba aims to bring together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, farming communities, academia, civil society, sponsors, donors, private sector representatives, land claimants, conservation partners, and youth.
The initiative seeks to forge meaningful dialogue and collaborative actions that will propel the implementation of Vision 2040—a bold, people-centered, conservation-driven agenda designed to ensure biodiversity conservation, social justice, and economic empowerment.
According to SANParks, the event symbolizes a pivotal moment in South Africa’s conservation history, emphasizing the importance of inclusive participation and shared ownership of natural and cultural heritage.
The strategy underscores the need for collective responsibility across all sectors of society to achieve resilient, sustainable ecosystems and thriving communities.
SANParks advocates that the Vision 2040 Indaba will serve as a rallying call for various role players to contribute towards shaping South Africa’s conservation future.
It aligns with the nation’s commitment to protecting its natural treasures while promoting social equity and economic development, ensuring that conservation efforts benefit all South Africans.
As the country prepares for this transformative gathering, stakeholders are optimistic that the Vision 2040 Indaba will foster a collaborative spirit and drive forward a unified approach to safeguarding South Africa’s rich natural and cultural heritage for generations to come.
