Conservationists are lauding the decision, but ironically, the airline is doing it more out of self-interest than anything else. The announcement of the embargo followed straight after the Civil Aviation Authority slapped SAA with a heavy fine after hunting trophies, falsely labelled as mechanical equipment, reached Australia on one of its cargo planes. Now, because of SAA‘s inability to properly inspect outgoing cargo, the hunting industry is set to lose income which our economy sorely needs.
Make no mistake, I cannot understand why anyone would want to shoot an animal, but if someone is willing to pay for the privilege of keeping game populations in check, why not? Conservation is an expensive business and tourism can generate only so much income. Conservationists and game rangers are forever arguing about game farming’s contribution to conservation, but the reality is that South Africa’s game population would not be as numerous today were it not for game farming.
This is a business like any other, and if it’s not profitable, why do it? And that’s why we need hunters – to ensure a thriving game industry. There are regulations that require hunters to obtain a licence to hunt and transport endangered species such as rhino and lion. Those involved in the illegal trade of game products don’t bother to obtain licences, and unless they are bribing SAA employees, they’re definitely not smuggling their rhino horns out of the country in an SAA cargo hold.
Clamping down on legal hunting and trophy exports is not going to make any difference to the illegal trade. It may even work in its favour, as game ranchers’ ability to guard their valuable game diminishes with a loss of income. SAA’s policy is typical of many other policies in South Africa. Policy architects might have the noblest intentions, but they either don’t consult with shareholders or don’t bother to consider their input. The result: an unfeasible piece of legislation. Our land reform policy is a prime example.
Sometimes, good, far-thinking ideas are generated, but due to the inability of ‘foot soldiers’ to work out the details of implementation, these come to nothing. I don’t envy our ministers. Often, they are judged on the performance of the foot soldiers – people they themselves do not select for the job. And even if they don’t, the choice is often forced onto them by people higher up in the hierarchy.
It’s all good and well to lobby ministers, but are we perhaps forgetting about the importance of winning over the foot soldiers? The same goes for the upper management of government departments. Are the foot solders committed to serving their country, or are they only there for their pay check at the end of the month?
