An estimated 174 000ha of nature reserves with a market value of more than R2.6 billion would be given back to local communities as part of the prioritised land restitution claims of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MPTA).
Land restitution forms part of the agency's mandate to boost the tourism industry in the province and increase black participation.
"The MPTA is in the advanced stages of agreement with the claimants and other stakeholders," Charles Ndabeni, the chief executive of the MPTA, said last week.
The claiming communities would benefit from proposed infrastructure development that included roads and game lodges, turning the areas into tourist attractions.
Nature reserves that have been identified for restitution include Songimvelo in the Gert Sibande district; Blyde in the Thaba Cweu district; Mabusa, Mthethomusha, Manyeleti, all in the Mjimbi district; and the Loskop Dam in Enkangala.
Local communities would benefit from gate entrance fees into the reserves, game sales and hunting, Ndabeni said.
Rudie Swanepoel, the owner of Africa Game Farm Estates, said: "Based on land value only, excluding improvements, livestock or any loose assets, a hectare of land on these nature reserves would cost between R5 000 and R35 000."
The agreement between the government, the MPTA and the claimants stipulates that the proposed areas will not be used for residential purposes.
Land use would remain as is and any further developments would be discussed by all stakeholders. "Only 10 percent of the land can be used for building purposes," said the MPTA.
Ndabeni said the claims had been delayed by funding.
"The regional claims commission had no resources to gazette and authenticate the claims," he said.
The MPTA was then assigned to deal with the claims.
Since January last year a little less than R7 million has been spent resolving the land claims.
Ndabeni said the key issue that made the MPTA prioritise the claims was the potential each nature reserve had.
"We looked at parks that have high economic potential and value. As it is, we have lined up investors that are ready to invest up to R1 billion in Songimvelo."
The agency plans to include small businesses and black entrepreneurs in the programme.
Ndabeni said: "We are concerned about the lack of black people in game reserves. We need to train black hunters so they too can capitalise on the market. It is crucial that we mainstream black participation into the industry."
A further R187 million has been requested from the state by the MPTA to address the infrastructure backlog in the targeted parks and reserves.
The MPTA board will approve more co-management agreements between all stakeholders next month.
Of 45 claims, 35 are in the final stage of agreement, awaiting approval from the board.