Park Development

© 2009 Koos van der Lende

A number of protocols between the relevant countries have been signed. The most important of these being the Lubombo Transfrontier Trilateral Protocol, which was signed between Mozambique, South Africa and Swaziland on 22 June 2000. Others signed at the same time were the following:

• Lubombo-Ponta do Oura-Kosi Bay Marine TFCA Protocol between Mozambique and South Africa;
• Lubombo-Nsubane-Pongola TFCA Protocol between Mozambique and South Africa;
• Lubombo-Tembe-Futi TFCA Protocol between Mozambique and South Africa;and
• Lubombo-Conservance-Goba TFCA Protocol between Mozambique and Swaziland

The protocols provided the mechanism to establish the relevant structures for the implementation of this project, as follows:

• Trilateral Ministerial Committee composed with the relevant Ministers from the three countries
• Trilateral Commission which consists of officials appointed by the three Ministers
• Task Groups were formed for each TFCA and the members are inclusive of many stakeholders

Concept development and action plans for the five TFCA projects under the Trilateral General Protocol have since been drafted.

Prior to the signing of the protocols, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in the Ponta do Ouro-Kosi Bay TFCA was proclaimed a World Heritage Site in November 1999. The site is the largest estuarine system in Africa and includes the southernmost extension of coral reefs on the continent. Efforts are ongoing to extend the existing World Heritage Site northwards to encompass the Mozambican section of the TFCA, which includes a marine protected area.