South African National Parks (SANParks) hosted two community governance workshops during the month of October with various community leadership structures from across the Greater Addo-Amathole Biodiversity Economy Node (GAA BEN). The first group included communal property associations (CPAs) and community trusts from 5 to 9 October 2026 at Graham Hotel in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), followed by traditional councils from 07 – 09 October at the Steve Biko Centre in Qonce (formerly King Williams Town).
Many communities in the node hold rights over key conservation areas, but uncertain land tenure and limited support to take part in decision-making have kept many on the sidelines of the biodiversity economy. Strengthening community governance is therefore a priority for GAA BEN, so that community structures have clear roles, accountable decision-making and fair benefit sharing. Achieving this across the node’s diverse community structures calls for a shared, practical framework.
The workshops follow an earlier round in which communities co-designed the GAA BEN Governance Toolkit. This round focused on implementation, with each structure planning how the toolkit will be applied to its own roles, decisions and reporting.
The toolkit sets out shared guidelines for how CPAs, Traditional Authorities and Community Trusts work together, and with SANParks, while each retains its own legal mandate. It covers decision-making, legal compliance, accountability and dispute resolution.
For the COLCRA CPA, a land claimant community whose land forms part of Addo Elephant National Park, the process is already delivering results. Chairperson Andile Tshazibane said the committee has begun applying its constitution, co-opted community members including youth, and advanced its co-management agreement and restitution processes with SANParks and government departments. COLCRA now plans to share the toolkit with its wider community through online sessions ahead of its next Annual General Meeting.
This project is a major collaborative effort funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF7) and coordinated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). SANParks is leading the implementation in the landscape alongside the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA).
The Greater Addo-Amathole Biodiversity Economy Node is one of three Biodiversity Economy Nodes being established nationally, designed to demonstrate that ecological conservation and sustainable socio-economic development can thrive side by side.
The workshops form part of the node’s support for strong, accountable community institutions that are able to enter partnerships, attract investment and share in the benefits of the biodiversity economy.