A large piece of South African Government state-owned land, notably 255 hectares, located at Shark Point near Cape St Francis was handed over to Kouga Municipality this morning at a media briefing by the Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) Minister, Dean Macpherson.
Macpherson said it was his first visit to St Francis Bay where he announced to the media and guests that the PWDI is transferring state-owned land to Kouga Municipality. Also present were environmental experts, controllers of Cape St Francis Reserves and DA supporters.
Notably in attendance was the first Chairman of FOSTER, Professor Richard Cowling, who with his local colleagues have been responsible for successfully and for years been turning land into protected reserves under the curator-ship of FOSTER. It is understood that the land will be handed over into a reserve once the transfer has been promulgated.
MacPherson revealed the land is located at ‘Ongegunde Vryheid’, near the Shark Point Car Park and close to Cape St Francis in the Eastern Cape. He said it is the largest pieces of South Africa State-owned land to be transferred since 2024.
At the media briefing this morning.it was announced that the land is being transferred directly to the Kouga Local Municipality. The entire 235-hectare coastal parcel is being placed under formal protection to be declared a nature reserve.
“This handover is designed to safeguard threatened habitats “and wildlife), protect local biodiversity, and boost eco-tourism opportunities in the region.”
Key Details of the Land Handover: The 235-hectare coastal land is being placed under formal protection and the aim is to have it declared as a nature reserve. The Minister emphasised the national directive to use idle public assets for genuine public benefit
He also added the land land is being transferred directly to Kouga Local Municipality, led by Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman. The mayor profusely thanked the Minister and the PWDI at the event.
