A planned R37 million fencing project around the Kruger National Park and Mthethomusha Nature Reserve has sparked growing debate in surrounding communities over procurement fairness, with local SMMEs questioning whether they will benefit meaningfully from the infrastructure rollout.
While the project is expected to strengthen conservation security and reduce human-wildlife conflict along the park’s boundary areas, residents in Hazyview, Mpakeni and Luphisi say the real issue is not only environmental protection but economic inclusion.
The Mthethomusha Nature Reserve, located near Hazyview and bordering the southern section of the Kruger National Park, forms part of Mpumalanga’s broader eco-tourism and community conservation model.
According to the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, the reserve operates through a community partnership model with the Mpakeni community aimed at supporting both conservation and local economic participation.
However, residents say infrastructure-linked projects in the past have not always translated into sustained local business opportunities.
Mpakeni-based contractor Sibusiso Mnisi said small businesses in the area are concerned that large external companies could dominate the tender process once construction begins.
“We are not against development or experienced contractors coming in to do the work,” Mnisi said.
“But what usually happens is that big companies from outside the province are awarded the main contracts, and local businesses are only used for small subcontracting roles that don’t really build capacity. What we are asking for is a simple, clear allocation for local SMMEs, youth-owned businesses and emerging contractors so that money actually circulates within our communities,” Mnisi said.
Economic development concerns
Thandiwe Mokoena from Hazyview said transparency in procurement will determine whether the project delivers real community value.
“There is always excitement when large infrastructure projects are announced, but the concern starts when procurement details are not clear. We want to know what percentage of the work will go to local contractors, what skills development will be included, and whether small businesses will be supported beyond short-term labour. Without that, the economic impact stays limited to a few months of construction,” Mokoena argued.
Tourism and conservation link
Tourism operators say the project could strengthen confidence in the region’s conservation infrastructure, which is critical for the local economy.
Hazyview tourism business owner Lerato Nkosi said conservation and tourism are deeply connected in Mpumalanga.
“When conservation areas are secure and well managed, it benefits the entire tourism value chain, from guesthouses and tour operators to restaurants and informal traders, but for communities to support these projects in the long term, they must also see themselves benefiting economically, not just watching development happen around them.”
As the fencing project moves closer to implementation, communities say the outcome will be judged not only by improved conservation security, but by whether procurement processes genuinely open doors for local businesses or continue to favour large contractors from outside the region.
