The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA), in partnership with the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), has embarked on a series of site visits as part of the ongoing implementation of the N2 Wild Coast Biodiversity Offset Project.
The Agency entered into a ten-to-twenty-two-year agreement with SANRAL to oversee this critical environmental project, which seeks to strike a careful balance between infrastructure development, biodiversity conservation, and meaningful community upliftment along the Wild Coast.
The primary mandate of ECPTA within this project is to ensure that the identified sites are formally declared under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (2023), reinforcing long-term protection for some of the province’s most valuable natural spaces.
The site visits currently underway aim to assess progress on various offset activities and engage with the affected communities whose livelihoods and futures are closely tied to the surrounding environment. These visits provide a platform to strengthen partnerships, monitor environmental management practices, and create opportunities for local economic participation.
To date, the project has made a tangible impact on job creation and enterprise development. A total of 105 youth has been employed in three different sites, Mbotyi, Thahle and Mnyameni sites for Alien and invasive cleaning for a period of three years starting in March 2025 to 2028.
One of the Beneficiaries, Nontsapho Satsha works at Mbotyi Site in Lusikisiki, said she is grateful for the opportunity. “I last worked in 2021, this opportunity came at a right time, when I needed it the most. I am a single parent, so in order for kids to eat, go to school and dress.
Furthermore, several SMMEs based near the project sites have benefitted through the provision of catering services, cleaning services, accommodation, office signage, and security services which is a clear demonstration of the project’s commitment to inclusive local development.
The N2 Wild Coast Biodiversity Offset Project covers eight key sites, namely, Chaguba Candidate Site (privately owned), Mbotyi Candidate Site ,Lambasi Candidate Site , Ntentule Candidate Site , Thahle Candidate Site ,Mkambati Candidate Site (privately owned) , Mthentu Gorge and Mnyameni Gorge
“As ECPTA, we are proud to be driving this initiative alongside SANRAL. This is more than just about conservation but also about ensuring that communities benefit meaningfully from development projects happening in their backyard, while safeguarding the natural heritage of the Eastern Cape for generations to come,” said ECPTA N2 Project Manager, Xolani Skenjana.
