The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) and South African National Parks (SANParks) have signed a three-year multi wage agreement effectively April 01, 2024 up until 31 March 2027, once more averting strikes.
SANParks workers from its 19 National Parks in seven provinces, within the bargaining unit of Job Grade A1-C5 who were employed prior April 01, 2024 will receive an across the board increase of 7% for the period 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
Parties further agree to 1% salary adjustment as an annual pay progression. Consequently, the qualifying bargaining unit employees shall receive 8% increase.
Multi-year joint collective
Parties further agreed to a multi-year joint collective on salary adjustment for the financial years 2025/2026 and 2026/2027. That shall be based on Medium Term Expenditure Framework Budget Projected consumer price index. This plus one 1% as outlined by the National Treasury.
Employees will also receive 5% increase of Night Shift Allowance, Danger Allowance, Sleep-Out Allowance. Also Housing allowance for A & B Band and Tools of trade allowance.
NUPSAW would like to thank all its negotiators for the sterling job done by securing above inflation wage increment. This given current revenue challenges confronted by our SOEs and Schedule 3A Public Entities in South Africa.
However, NUPSAW would like to submit once more again that, the struggle is not yet over at SANParks. That is until market-related salary adjustments are achieved and implemented equally at SANParks. Without any favour or prejudice through benchmarking for all Job Grades A1-C5.
The entity also benefited from the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), a government initiative designed to create job opportunities.
Job creation, economy, tourism
According to information in the SANParks 2022/2023 annual report, the EPWP provided a total of 5,292 full-time jobs. It also created job opportunities for 8,268 youth, 7,083 women and 265 people living with disabilities.
A further 863 SMMEs from communities adjacent to the National Parks were contracted through the programme.
The period saw growing participation of both exempted micro enterprises and
qualifying small enterprises in SANParks business. Participating EMEs increased
from 648 in 2021/22 to 765 in 2022/23. While QSE participation grew from 132 to 260.
Level 1 to 4 BBBEE contributors accounted for 90% of SANParks’ total procurement spent.
National parks, game reserves
South Africa is the proud home of no fewer than 20 national parks. This includes two of the world’s most famous wildlife reserves. They are the Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. In addition, there are numerous private game reserves that have massive biodiversity and world-class safari opportunities. A South African safari is high on the bucket lists of many travellers, and promises endless memories and adventure.
South Africa boasts a huge collection of wildlife regions and game parks; both public and private. Part of the magic of South Africa is that, as a country, it encompasses every possible landscape – from deserts to forests to mountains to coast. And each of these landscapes is home to its own variety of wildlife and birdlife species. So, the game reserves and national parks of the country reflect the same variety in their fauna and flora.
