Latest news with #iSimangalisoWetlandParkAuthority
IOL News
28-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Plans to extend iSimangaliso Wetland Park into Mozambique by 2025
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Image: File Consultation processes and efforts to extend KwaZulu-Natal's iSimangaliso Wetland Park into Mozambique as a Transboundary World Heritage Site are underway. This was one of the big six priorities announced by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) Minister Dion George during the budget vote on Friday. George referred to KISS – Kruger National Park, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, iSimangaliso Wetland Park Icon Status Strategy, which the DFFE is elevating into engines of ecological protection, job creation, inclusive tourism, and community empowerment. George added that iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority is advancing its commercialisation strategy, with 62 contracts already signed and new revenue from tourism concessionaires set to flow directly to the entity from 1 September 2025. 'South Africa's biodiversity is a powerful engine for development. The revised National Biodiversity Economy Strategy will unlock 397,000 jobs and inject R127 billion annually into the economy by 2036 through eco-tourism, bioprospecting, and sustainable game meat production,' he said. George said his department's 2025 and 2026 allocation is R9.08 billion. Transfers and subsidies to public entities such as South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), SANParks, iSimangaliso, and SA Weather Service will account for approximately R5.5 billion. George stated that the Fair Industry for Lions, Leopards, and Rhinos (FILLER) prioritises ethical and sustainable management of lions, leopards, rhinos, and elephants. 'This year, we are finalising the Elephant Heritage Strategy. Through Fishing for Freedom, we are securing sustainable access, supporting small-scale fishers, and combating illegal harvesting that threatens biodiversity and food security,' he said. George also emphasised that the DFFE is doubling down on financial discipline and identified significant cost-saving opportunities, including discussions with international donors, private partners, and philanthropies. Bheki Manzini spokesperson for iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority explained that the government of Mozambique is currently embarking on a process of inscribing its Maputo National Park as a Transboundary World Heritage Site through the extension of the existing iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. 'To this effect, the Government of Mozambique has contacted the Government of South Africa, soliciting support for this initiative. It is a requirement from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) that a supporting letter from the country whose existing site will be extended into the envisaged transboundary heritage site be part of the submission,' he explained further.
IOL News
02-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife halts Incema harvesting for 2025 amid severe waterlogging
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in collaboration with the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, has decided to cancel the Incema harvesting operations scheduled to take place in May. Image: Montage / Supplied Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife said this year's annual Incema harvesting operations have been cancelled due to waterlogged areas that threaten the safety of harvesters. Incema is a herb that is valued for its strength and flexibility, growing up to a height of 1.5m in large colonies. The announcement was made on Thursday after the St Lucia Incema Harvesting Committee and Western Shore Incema Harvesting Committee unanimously agreed to proceed with harvesting earlier in the week. 'Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in collaboration with the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, regrets to inform the public that the previously announced Incema harvesting operations scheduled to take place from 5th to 20th May 2025, have been cancelled,' said Ezemvelo spokesperson Musa Mntambo. Mntambo said this difficult decision was taken following the recent heavy rains that have severely affected the St Lucia area and its surroundings. 'The prolonged downpours have resulted in significant waterlogging, rendering large portions of the harvesting areas inaccessible,' he said. Despite the possibility of the rains subsiding, Mntambo said most of the Incema plants remain submerged, making harvesting unsafe and unfeasible at this time. 'As a result, the Incema harvesting operations have been officially postponed to the 2026 harvesting season. New dates for the 2026 season will be communicated in due course,' he said. Vuyi Radebe, who is the executive manager of Biodiversity Conservation, acknowledged the importance of Incema harvesting for cultural, economic, and social purposes. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Radebe said Ezemvelo shares in the disappointment of the affected communities. 'However, the safety of harvesters and the sustainability of natural resources remain our top priorities.' She thanked stakeholders, including the St Lucia and Western Shore Incema Harvesting Committees, for their ongoing support, cooperation, and commitment. According to Steve Mckean's Ezemvelo-affiliated publication, 'Harvest of Juncus Krausii(incema) in the greater St Lucia Wetland Park: Impacts and guidelines for sustainable use', incema is a popular material among Zulu people for weaving sleeping mats and other commercial products. 'This brings much-needed income to many impoverished rural people,' he said. According to a report, in St Lucia, Incema is harvested by women from across KZN, usually with sickles. The only places that Incema is found in KZN are in the coastal and midlands regions, with major stands being found at Kosi Bay, St Lucia, Richards Bay, Umlalazi, and Umgababa estuaries, stated the report. Ezemvelo noted that Incema is the primary material used in the creation of most items sold at locations such as the Zamimpilo market. Concerning how Incema impacts sustainability, Mntambo said it helps to absorb water from the ground, particularly during the drought season. 'Had we continued with harvesting, the human movement might have damaged it by rooting it out,' he said. He said the harvest takes place within a game reserve, where the presence of wildlife poses risks. 'It would also have caused danger to those harvesting, as they would find it difficult to run from crocodiles or hippos in water. Animals are faster in water than humans.'
