MTPA Cannot Explain Away Delays, Vacancies and Failed Investments

ActionSA notes the response issued by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) following our statement on its 2025/26 Fourth Quarter Performance Report.

In our statement, ActionSA said that “the issue is no longer whether money is being allocated to tourism and conservation. The issue is whether taxpayers are receiving value for that expenditure.” Unfortunately, the agency’s response does little to answer that question.

MTPA claims that ActionSA’s statement “does not present the true reflection of the entity’s performance” and that the Fourth Quarter Report “does not indicate mismanagement.” Yet in the same statement, the agency acknowledges that vacancies “remain a challenge, primarily due to budgetary constraints”, admits that a previous procurement process for the Mariepskop tourism facilities “did not yield successful bids that met the required criteria”, and confirms that several infrastructure projects remain incomplete.

ActionSA specifically raised concerns about delayed projects at Sterkspruit Nature Reserve, Mdala Nature Reserve, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve and the continued failure to secure an investor for Mariepskop. MTPA’s response does not dispute these facts. Instead, it argues that Sterkspruit is “95% complete” and Mdala is “98% complete.” While progress is welcome, communities cannot benefit from percentages. Tourism infrastructure either delivers opportunities and economic growth, or it remains unfinished.

We also raised concerns about the agency’s vacancy rate of 57%, with 777 vacant positions out of 1,365 approved posts. In response, MTPA concedes that vacancies remain a significant challenge. The question therefore remains: how can the agency effectively manage protected areas, maintain tourism infrastructure, combat environmental crime and drive investment while operating with more than half of its approved workforce unfilled?

ActionSA welcomes the agency’s participation in platforms such as Africa’s Travel Indaba and the World Travel Market, as well as efforts to strengthen partnerships and attract investment. However, marketing campaigns and future plans cannot substitute for completed infrastructure, filled vacancies, investor confidence and measurable service delivery outcomes.

Our concern has never been whether the MTPA has plans. Our concern is whether those plans are translating into results for the people of Mpumalanga. The agency’s own response confirms that many of the challenges identified in its Fourth Quarter Report remain unresolved.

ActionSA will continue to hold the agency accountable and will insist that tourism and biodiversity conservation budgets deliver what communities have been promised: functioning tourism facilities, jobs, investment and real economic opportunities.

ActionSA Athol Trollip (National Chairperson) Eastern Cape Heavyweight: A former Federal Chairperson of the DA and the Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay (2016–2018). The Switch: Joined ActionSA in early 2022, bringing significant administrative experience and a strong support base in the Eastern Cape, specifically Gqeberha. The Role: He oversees the party’s national structures and is the key strategist for rural and metropolitan expansion.