DFFE briefing on Operation Phakisa's Biodiversity Economy Programme; progress against targets for bioprospecting, wildlife utilisation, sustainable tourism, jobs and growth, with Deputy Minister

Video The Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and Environment received a briefing from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) on progress with the biodiversity economy programme under Operation Phakisa and implementation of the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy (NBES). The Committee stressed that strategies and investment proposals needed to translate into measurable employment, rural livelihoods, community ownership and ecological sustainability. The Department reported implementation progress of 74% for the wildlife economy stream and 56% for bioprospecting, with completion targeted for 2030. The revised NBES covered wildlife utilisation, bioprospecting, ecotourism, marine and freshwater resources, and ecological restoration. It targeted 397 000 additional jobs by 2036, increasing total employment to approximately 815 000. Proposed mega hubs across all nine provinces represented R64 billion in potential investment, comprising R55 billion in anticipated private investment and R9 billion in public funding. The hubs were expected to contribute 130 000 of the additional jobs and support local processing of resources currently exported in raw form. Members welcomed the comprehensive presentation but questioned the evidence supporting the investment and employment projections. They requested independently verifiable baselines, actual permanent jobs created, participation by women, young people and persons with disabilities, and measurable returns on government expenditure. Concerns included investor commitments, project feasibility, institutional capacity, infrastructure deficiencies, land tenure, financing and the commercial sustainability of supported enterprises. Members sought enforceable community ownership and benefit-sharing arrangements, protection of traditional knowledge and safeguards against exploitation. Views differed on reliance on private investment, with concerns that private control could undermine public interests and exclude marginalised communities. Members also questioned ecological safeguards, leopard hunting quotas, lead contamination, permitting delays and progress on aquaculture legislation. They supported sustainable use while cautioning against intensive wildlife farming and called for diplomatic engagement to protect access to international markets. The Department said independent feasibility studies had been completed, but the mega hub initiative remained at an early consultation stage. It envisaged private investors assuming commercial risks, government creating enabling conditions and communities participating through the hubs’ governance arrangements. A 30% set-aside was proposed for emerging enterprises. Existing bioprospecting agreements provided for community benefits, while cultivation of indigenous plants would reduce pressure on wild resources. The Department clarified that the 130 000 projected mega hub jobs formed part of the 397 000 additional jobs. Annual employment monitoring would be supported by the South African National Biodiversity Institute, while a Biodiversity Economy Satellite Account was expected in 2028. More than 6 000 animals had been distributed through wildlife donations. The Department was addressing game meat regulatory barriers with the Department of Agriculture (DOA), and the Aquaculture Development Bill was under ministerial consideration following Cabinet’s referral. It also reported diplomatic engagement on hunting restrictions and planned discussions on lead contamination. The Deputy Minister emphasised that formal recognition of the sector’s employment contribution would strengthen efforts to secure additional funding. The Committee required written responses by 20 October 2026 on provincial hub feasibility, costs, investor appetite, medium-term targets and implementation plans, together with information on agreements with traditional leaders and healers. Scientific evidence supporting leopard quotas was also requested. Implementation plans needed to appear in the Department’s annual performance plan. A joint meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture was envisaged for the following term to assess the DOA’s progress on the Animal Welfare Bill, the Game Meat Industry Strategy and foot-and-mouth disease.