2025 incema harvest cancelled
This annual operation benefits mostly rural communities that depend on the plant to make a living by producing traditional handicraft products like baskets, sleeping mats and traditional beer strainers.
ALSO READ: iSimangaliso says marchers were misinformed
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in collaboration with the iSimangaliso Wetland Park authority, said this difficult decision was made following the recent heavy rains that severely affected the St Lucia area and its surroundings.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife communications manager Musa Mntambo said, 'We regret to inform the public that the previously announced incema harvesting operations, scheduled to take place from 5 to 20 May, have been cancelled.'
He mentioned that the prolonged downpours resulted in significant waterlogging, rendering large portions of the harvesting areas inaccessible.
'Despite the possibility of the rains subsiding, most of the incema plants remain submerged, making harvesting unsafe and unfeasible at this time.
'As a result, incema harvesting operations have been officially postponed to the 2026 harvesting season. Dates for the 2026 season will be communicated in due course,' said Mntambo.
ALSO READ: Transformer upgrade needed to address iSimangaliso power woes
Expressing her regret regarding the news, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife executive manager for biodiversity conservation, Vuyi Radebe, said the safety of harvesters was paramount.
'We acknowledge the importance of incema harvesting for cultural, economic and social purposes, and we share in the disappointment of the affected communities. However, the safety of harvesters and the sustainability of natural resources remain our top priorities.
'We thank all stakeholders, including the St Lucia and Western Shores incema harvesting committees, for their ongoing support, co-operation and commitment,' said Radebe.
Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Weather warning: Damaging winds ahead for KZN coast
Strong, damaging winds are expected to hit parts of KZN from this (Thursday) evening into tomorrow (Friday). The level 2 warning for damaging winds has been issued by the SA Weather Service. ALSO READ: WATCH: Successful rescue of distressed sailing yacht near Richards Bay 'A passage of a cold front results in strong southerly to south-westerly winds along the coast on Friday, with average speeds of 25 to 35 knots, gusting 35 to 40 knots. The impact will be hard felt between Port Edward and Mtunzini later [Thursday] evening, spreading to Kosi Bay by Friday. Potential impacts • Difficulty in navigation of vessels at sea • Small vessels at high risk of taking on water and capsizing within locality • Beachgoers are urged to heed the warning as beachfront activities could pose a danger Weather outlook for Friday & Saturday, 01 – 02 August 2025. Partly cloudy conditions are expected over the eastern parts of the country, with isolated showers. Otherwise, fine & cold to cool, but it will be warm in places in the north.#saws #weatheroutlook #southaricanweather — SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) July 30, 2025 Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
The Citizen
25-07-2025
- The Citizen
Richards Bay hotrods cancelled, but drifting event lined up
Owing to the excessive heavy rains over the past few days, and with more predicted, the Winter Bash spinning event scheduled for the ZCBF showgrounds this Saturday, 26 July, has been cancelled. However, racing fans will be happy to hear that star drifters Jim Mcfarlane and East Coast Drifters will join the oval racing next Saturday, 2 August to help set the track alight with smoke and lots of angle. Jim Mcfarlane and his team have loads of experience, and will keep the crowd warm and entertained. A full field of midgets, stockrods, 1660 saloons, 2l pintos and hotrods will all be doing their best to top the championship standings. Spectators are invited to join for a day filled with drifting, racing and braai fires. Gates open at 10am and racing starts at 4pm. Entry fee is R100 for adults and R50 for children. Contact Michelle on 082 3273231 for enquiries. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- The Citizen
Weather alert: Disruptive rain continues for KZN coast
After already experiencing heavy rainfall in parts of the Zululand region on Tuesday, the deluge is set to continue on Wednesday. This as the SA Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a yellow level 2 warning for disruptive rain, set to affect the length of the KZN coastline until 4pm on Wednesday. ALSO READ: WATCH: Heavy downpours hit city suburbs 'Isolated showers and rain are expected, but scattered, along the KZN north coast [on Wednesday],' said the weather desk. With Tuesday rainfall of 60mm expected for Mandeni, eShowe and uMhlathuze, localised flooding in those areas is a possibility. 'The bulk of the rainfall is expected to move along the north coast [on Wednesday],' said the SAWS. Potential impacts • Localised flooding of susceptible settlements • Difficult driving conditions, including wet roads and poor visibility in places • Localised damage to mud homes Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
