New Project to Educate Travellers about South Africa's Coastline. (17 April 1996)

South Africa's 3 000 km coastline, sweeping round the southern tip of the African continent, is one of the country's most valuable assets. Forming an integral part of trade, residence, tourism and recreation, the sustainable utilisation of this resource, which is often taken for granted, largely depends on an informed public. To enhance environmental awareness amongst all South Africans and to enrich the tourist experience, the Coastal Management Advisory Programme (CMAP) of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEA&T), has launched a unique project to provide a national plan for interpretive signage along the coastline.

Interpretive signage is regarded as an important means of imparting information about the coastal environment. It comprises user-friendly display boards with text and graphics erected at strategic sites along the coast. The intention is that these boards will increase the user's understanding of the surrounding environmental elements, features or processes by focusing on the physical and biological environment, as well as cultural, historic and economic aspects. The target audience consists of domestic and international tourists, travellers and local communities that can benefit from the educational value of the signage as well as the economic opportunities created by tourism.

As the first phase of the project, a Draft National Plan Document for interpretive signage was produced by the CSIR for CMAP. This document, which was drawn up in consultation with a wide range of interested and affected parties, will guide the implementation of signage projects countrywide. The next phase of the project entails the obtaining of sponsorships for pilot projects. These projects are aimed at testing and refining the guidelines contained in the Draft National Plan Document before implementing signage projects on a broader scale along the coastline.

Rietvlei/Table View beachfront was targeted as the very first pilot project as it is a wetland of international importance and an important educational resource for the surrounding community of Milnerton. The Rietvlei signs are displayed in Afrikaans, English and Xhosa and introduce visitors of all ages to the natural environment in an informal manner, enabling them to learn while interacting with nature. This interactive learning process has proven to be highly successful around the world and is gaining popularity also in South Africa. The Rietvlei project would, however, never have been possible without the major sponsor, Caltex Oil. CMAP relies entirely on outside sponsorships for implementing its projects.

CMAP regards interpretive signage as a national priority as it can play a major role in promoting environmental education and tourism, and in the forming of partnerships within communities. Through this project, CMAP has proved that it is committed to its mission, namely to play a dynamic role in facilitating the positive awareness and exchange of information amongst all South Africans to ensure the co-operative, sustainable development of the country's coastal resources.

The launch function for the Rietvlei Interpretive Signage Project was held on 16 April 1996 at the Milnerton Aquatic Club and was opened by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Dr Dawie de Villiers.

Groups interested in signage projects are invited to contact Cobie Bredenkamp of CMAP at tel (021) 402-3208. Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria.