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 | POTENTIAL FOR FOSTERING ECONOMIC AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS SOCIO-CULTURALLY AND ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE
As a grass roots driven initiative, the proposed Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve does not intend on replacing current planning and development projects. There are a few projects currently underway, which complement the aims of the Biosphere Reserve, and will be supported by the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve Initiative in the future.
The Trans Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) is still in the very early stages of development, with a great deal of consultation still ahead. This initiative is destined to bring down the fences of national parks inSouth Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, ultimately creating a 95 000 km2 protected area (about 3 000 km2 larger than Portugal). The aim is to eventually incorporate the Kruger National Park, Gonarezho (Zimbabwe), Zinave and Banhine Parks (in Mozambique). A recent declaration signed by the governments of the respective countries, has given the initiative the incentive required to progress. Ministerial and international technical committees have been formed. The mandate of these committees is to plan the TFCA, and aim to have a mangement plan completed by November 2001. The three governments have committed themselves to conservation of biodiversity socio-economic development in the region. There are not likely to be any short term benefits to the local community of the proposed Biosphere Reserve, however in the future it could be the ultimate ‘surf & turf’ tourism destination, linking the escarpment, lowveld wildlife areas and the paradise coastal areas of Mozambique.
The Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve subscribes to The Land Development Objectives (LDO's)
project. These objectives have been formulated in terms of the Development Facilitation Act (Act 67 of 1995), which is a new law that puts into place a system to speed up the development process in South Africa, as well as providing a new policy framework for integrated development. In terms of this act, LDO’s are to be formulated in order to guide overall development towards the integration of spatial development, and development strategies and budgetary allocations. With such a framework in place, sustainable utilisation of natural resources will then be encouraged. The Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve Initiative has already been written in to the LDO of the Hoedspruit/ Mawkutsi, Phalaborwa and Bushbuckridge North Local Governments.
Agricultural Industry: Blyde Irrigation Board - where there is already a sustainable development project in progress. For many years there has been an earth canal system providing agriculture in the lowveld, with water from the Blyde Dam. This has been found to be uneconomical and not ecologically sustainable, because up to 80% of the water in some places was seeping out, and not reaching its destination. The Blyde Irrigation Board is now in the process of installing a major pipe line to replace the canal system. While this has an impact at the onset of the project, it is sustainable in the long term. Part of the project is to support emerging farmers, and therefore a percentage of water has been allocated to these local people.
Phalaborwa SDI (spatial development initiative) The Spatial Development Initiative Programme is a programme of strategic initiatives by the South African Government aimed at unlocking the inherent and under-utilised economical development potential of certain specific spatial locations in South Africa. The aim is to move away from a protected and isolated approach to economic development, towards one in which international competitiveness, regional co-operation, and a more diversified ownership base, are paramount. There is the drive towards empowering local communities economically. The Northern Province, together with the National Department of Transport (NDOT), have embarked on a joint development program known as the Maputo Sub-Corridor or the Phalaborwa Secondary Corridor falling within the Central Lowveld region. These initiatives have far reaching long term benefits for the region’s tourism industry by providing critically important strategic inputs in their Anchor Projects in the provincial reserves.
The Pilot Projects (Maburuburung and Welverdiend LEAP):
Women’s empowerment project
Palabora Foundation was established by the Palaborwa mining company in 1987, as an extension of its corporate investment programme. Today PMC is still a major sponsor of the separately constituted foundation. The Palabora Foundation is managed by a board of trustees, and employs 200 full time staff. The Foundation’s mission is “to promote and support the holistic development of disadvantaged people and communities.” Initially the Foundation retains operational involvement in projects they have initiated, but the aim is ultimately help the specific community to progressively accept full ownership of the project. The underlying principles of the foundation are to forge partnerships, encourage growth in community pride and loyalty, and creating a significant pool of technically skilled, educated and literate people. Projects which have already been embarked upon, according to the needs of the community include: the schools building project, early learning centres projects, library project, maths and science upgrade project, english upgrade project, vocational skills and small business development initiatives.
Mohlatsi Forum is a community forum that has been created alongside the western boundary of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. The forum was formed with the assistance and guidance of Mpumalanga Parks Board staff and was launched in October 1999. The aims of the Mohlatsi Forum include: providing a vehicle for interaction between the reserve and the local community, involvement in conservation issues, increasing the economic activities within their community, identifying the skills of the people living in the area and developing new or additional skills amongst the local inhabitants. The forum is comprised of two representatives from each Community Rural Development Committee (CRDC) in the Moramela, Leroro and Matabidi A & B communities. There are 25 members forming the Plenary (decision making body) and the Executive Committee constitutes 9 people. The forum meets with MPB once a month to address and raise relevant issues, such as resource utilisation, employing casual labour and cattle/goat issues. To date the following projects have been embarked upon. Upgrading the viewpoints around the Blyde River Reserve, where community members were employed to do the research. Negotiations pertaining to the community receiving equity shares from the gate and view point entrance fees. Guiding the large tour busses into the community for a short tour. The tourists try traditional Pedi food, visit a local school and are given a traditional dance performance. This experience has proved to be unbelievably popular and a good generator of income for the community. Creating curios and crafts unique to the area. This is a very special project as for many years the curio sellers have sold items created in Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Malawi. A process has been implemented in the community to identify the people with fine art and sewing skills, establishing (and training of) business skills, and producing unique items. At the moment the products are fabric painted-pedi design tablecloths, place mats and shirts. All products are handmade and have proven to be very much in demand as the items are bought quicker than they can be made. Other projects identified for the near future are, developing the performing art skills, establishing disabled sporting facilities, rehabilitating the eye of the Kadishi-tufa stream and building a partnership with ‘Working for Water’ initiatives so that the pressures on indigenous woods can be alleviated.
Working for water is a project that was initiated by the National Department of Water Affairs with a two-fold objective - 1) to eradicate exotic plant infestations and 2) to create employment. The project is now provincially driven and opportunities for entrepreneurs are created. People have been trained in the different methods of operations as well as management and business skills. Teams work in and out of protected areas. The state of the environment report states that this programme has been remarkably successful in controlling the spread of alien vegetation, as well as generating employment, education and awareness. However further resources are required to ensure that the gains made will not be lost.
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in African Environments (SUNRAE) PROGRAMME is research programme which falls under the Centre for African Ecology (CAE) based at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg. The SUNRAE programme is based near Acornhoek at the Wits Rural Facility (WRF). It is a programme, which specialises in applied research into the sustainable rural livlihoods and conservation of biodiversity in communal rangelands. It has formed partnerships with local community organisations. The aim of SUNRAE is to develop knowledge, understanding, and expertise needed to ensure that the use of the indigenous bio-resources in communal rangelands are sustainable and thus to the long-term benefit of the people living in these regions, and the nation as a whole. The objectives of the programme are 1) to conduct research around the issues of sustainable utilisation and mangaement of indigenous resources, and land use options applicable to semi-arid lands. 2) To develop human resources, capable of understanding and addressing these issues in southern Africa and further afield, in an integrated manner across the human-environment interface. 3) To synthesise and disseminate information and knowledge to rural community for a, development organisations,, the scientific community, policy advocates, and decision makers concerned with the optimal use and management of land and its resources. 4)To facilitate the integration of knowledge and expertise across disciplines, institutions and stakeholders concerning the optimum use of non-arable land in rural areas for the economic and welfare benefit of rural communities.
Association for Water and Rural Development (AWARD) is another of the projects housed at the Wits rural Facility. It is a non-governmnetal organistaion whose goal is to improve the quality of life for the rural population located within the Sabie-Sand catchment. It seeks to achieve this goal through the support and provision of sustainable community water supplies and sanitation, and takes a holistic approach towards its goal. AWARD is a Section 21 Company, established in 1998 and is funded by the Claude Harris Leon Foundation and other income generating activities such as grants and consulting. AWARD has three components to the project. 1) The Community Support Component. AWARD promotes and encourages local community ownership in water supply projects. To achieve ownership in a project, AWARD helps communities build self-esteem and self-confidence. Approximately 70% of the time spent on a project is attributed to information dissemination, education and capacity building activities amongst the communities. Some of the community development projects create employment for local work forces. 2) The Institutional Support Component. This component’s primary goal is to provide support and build capacity within the local governments and some provincial and national structures, in order to help them attainconstitutional obligationsto provide water services to the general public. There are three tiers in the management of water provision – The Catchment Management Agency (CMA), the Water Boards, and the local authorities. This component is currently involved in the Retail Water Distribution (RWD) Capacity Building Project, where the goal is to assist the five local governments in our operational area to establish a sustainable utility for reticulated water provision and cost recovery.3) The Environmnetal Support Component. This component embraces that the attainment of sustainable water supply is ultimately linked to the conservation and sustainable management of the natural resource base (land and water). One initiative falling within the responsibility of this component is the Save the Sand Project.
Save the Sand Project (SRSC) is a collaborative project between AWARD, Working for Water, and the Universities of Cape Town and Natal. The project was initiated because it was recognised that the ecological integrity, productivity and water resourcesof the catchment have been severely depleted and in turn have precipitated a suite of socio economic and environmental cosequences. The Sand River Catchment is a sub-catchment of the Sabie River system, and is situated in the proposed Biosphere Reserve. DWAF and Department of Agriculture (DA) selected the SRSC as a pilot project for the design and implementation of an Integrated Catchment Management Plan. The principal objective of Save the Sand Projectis to address the rehabilitation of the Sand River and its sub-catchments employing the principles of Landcare and Integrated Catchment Management. The priciple objectives of the Phase:I feasability report are to embrace the conceptualisation, consultation and planning of the proposed project. This process is guided by a number of key objectives, namely: rehabilitation and sustainability, equity, and economic growth. The terms of reference for the project consists of ten tasks that would lead to the fulfilment of the objectives. To date Phase:1 has been completed (refer to appendix: 7 for the executive summary of the feasability report). Phase: II (Implementation) has already begun.
The Phalaborwa SDI is aiming to position the Phalaborwa region as a world class eco-tourism destination. Tourism initiatives in the region include the following.
The Golden Horseshoe derives its name from the arc shape of the western (Waterberg), northern (Limpopo) and eastern (KNP) perimeters of the Northern Province. According to a study conducted by the University of Pretoria, the land within this arc is dedicated to conservation, or game ranching and it is relatively unspoiled. The Golden Horseshoe greater tourism region is made up of different ‘building blocks’, in the form of existing national and provincial parks, archaeological sites, private reserves and conservancies. The long-term vision of the Golden Horseshoe is to achieve a continuous game sanctuary. Two tourism initiatives embodied within the Golden Horseshoe Region are 1)
The African Ivory Route and 2) The Valley of the
Olifants. The African Ivory Route is an integrated series of small camps in diverse settings of scenic, wildlife, cultural and historic significance. All camps along the route will be leased by a community-based organisation at the provincial level, referred to as the Community Eco-tourism Development Association (CEDA). This association is constituted from representatives of all the participating communities. The camps and associated activities are / will be managed by local entrepeneurs, and the profits are distributed amongst the relevant communities. The camps are graded ‘A – C’, where the ‘A’ camps are usually considered the most popular and desirable amongst tourist community, and are mainly big five areas. The aim is to encourage visitors to get a broader experience of the region. The African Ivory Route impels the tourists to visit the less well known and smaller camps, destinations that something other than the ‘big five’ to offer. This is achieved by offering assorted package tours which encompass an A, B and C camp/s. This way people get to experience the cultural and historical aspects of the region as well. The Valley of the Olifants encompasses the central lowveld subregion of the proposed Biosphere Reserve. It is a tourism association, which promotes this subregion, part of which falls within the Kruger to Canyons area. The Valley of the Olifants is involved in marketing all aspects of the environment to local and international visitors. This includes the natural heritage, sites of historical and archaeological significance, arts and craft centres, accommodation and assorted sporting activities such as golf and angling.
Commercialisation of State-owned nature and game reserves. The Northern Province Government has made a landmark decision to commercialise some of its reserves. The government’s
‘Eco-tourism Development Strategy’ recognised that the economic potential of the 53 reserves was being under-utilised. The three reserves situated within the Biosphere Reserve include Letaba Ranch, Manyeleti and Andover Game Reserves. It is believed that the private sector will be more capable of developing and marketing these areas wealth creating tourist attractions. It is a pre-requisite that surrounding communities participate in, and benefit from the commercialisation ventures. The reserves have been opened to tender, and the aim is to grant 30-year concessions to the successful investors by the end of 2000. This commercialisation initiative is linked to the Peace Parks, Phalaborwa SDI and Tourism initiatives of the region.
DWAF/DANCED The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in partnership with DANCED, have a community Forestry Project in the Bushbuckridge area. Their aim is to improve sustainable natural woodland management and environmental reconstruction through participatory community-based activities aimed at socio-economic development. Projects undertaken include the following: Woodland management through resource user groups; Beekeeping; Community based nurseries; Woodcarving; Medicinal Plants; Silk farming; Community based gardens; Marula (harvesting and products); Soil erosion control and prevention; Agro-forestry technologies; Indigenous fruit tree orchards; and Urban greening. The list is quite exhaustive. For further details on the processes involved, refer to the appendix 12.
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TOURISM - A MAJOR ACTIVITY?
| Tourism is a major activity within the region. The region is strategically positioned in terms of infrastructure, and has a special variety of attractions for the visitor. Refer to map 4 in section 19 (a) to obtain an idea of the infrastructure network in the region. In the National Tourism Marketing Strategy of SATOUR, the KNP is defined as a Key Protected Area – which gives the sub-region a Key Tourist Status. According to surveys conducted 90% of foreign visitors wish to visit these Key Tourist Attraction in South Africa.
Types of tourism
The spectacular scenery within the proposed Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve certainly competes with the best in the world. The contrasts are sensational - from the lush mist forest at God's Window to the semi-arid savanna, abundant with typical African animals and birds. The harsh mountains of the Wolkberg to the rolling grasslands of the escarpment, in the south.
For the adventurous people there are white water rafting trips on the Sabie, Blyde and Olifants Rivers. Each river has something special about it. But the Blyde River is by far the most spectacular, as one travels through the wilderness of the canyon. Other activities include micro-liting, climbing and abseiling, kloofing, hot air balooning and mountain biking.
Various geological formations within the biosphere reserve are also an attraction to visitors. This is not just the mountain formations visible as one drives between the Lowveld and the escarpment, but other less well known features. There are various Tufa formations within the different river systems, culminating in the large living Kadishi Tufa Waterfall. Stromatolites (fossilized blue-green algae) are found at various sites along the escarpment. Due to the age of the rock formations in the area these are the only fossils one can find. The Echo caves are also situated within the biosphere environment. While these are not the most spectacular caves, they are never the less, a popular tourist attraction. They provide an opportunity to see the typical cave formations of stalactites and stalagmites. There are also the Wolkberg Caves, however, unfortunately due to accessibility these are not open to the public.
The area has an incredibly rich history, and a conflux of different cultures. There are nine different native first languages spoken, as well as Afrikaans, English and a few European languages, for example German and Portuguese. There are impressive bushmen paintings at various sites within the biosphere, and a few remains of the old ironage smelting sites. Different Black tribes - the Northern Sotho / Pedi; the Siswati and the Shangaan / Tsonga are all present in the area. Unfortunately, due to a number of influences, many of the people have lost touch with their culture and traditions. A wonderful initiative that counteracts this, is Nyani Tribal Village. This is a traditional Shangaan village open to anyone. People can spend the night in a typical Shangaan hut and eat a traditional meal. Exon, the grandchild of the late Chief Kapama, proudly guides the visitors and explains different Shangaan legends and beliefs. Even young Shangaan children learn about their culture. Pilgrims Rest the historic gold mining town is a National Monument. The whole town is a living museum, and a night there, really takes one back to the time of the transport drivers and the diggers. At the confluence of the Blyde and Belvedere streams a Hydro Power Station was completed in early twentieth century. Although its primary function was to supply power to the Pilgrims Rest mines, it was also the first power station to provide electricity to the home. Both Pilgrims Rest and PMC offer guided tours of the current mining activities taking place.
There is such a diverse spectrum of trails available. Many are 2/3 days during which one can go swimming in mountain streams, experience the beautiful grassland and forest flowers, and even be lucky enough to spot some kudu, bushbuck or klipspringer.
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Some are short day trails - an opportunity for a bit of exercise or a leisurely stroll. Most of the trails are self-guided, but KNP and various venues in the private reserves offer guided wilderness trails. Here one is able to experience the thrill of walking in big game country and sleeping under the stars. There is also a selection of specialist trails available, for those with a particular interest. This would include bird walks, botanical hikes, photographic safaris, horse trails and butterfly rambles.
Guided night drives in the protected areas are very popular amongst the tourists visiting the area. These are more than just experiencing the different nocturnal animals, the drives also provide an opportunity to learn about the night skies and listen to the nocturnal noises.
Hunting takes place on a number of game farms, and on some of the reserves. This may be for trophy or meat purposes, and it is strictly monitored by the respective conservation bodies. Angling is available at various venues throughout the Biosphere Reserve initiative. The kurper and exotic bass species being the most common species caught.
BENEFITS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES TO LOCAL PEOPLE: |
| In the case of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve initiative, because of the magnitude and complexities of the area, the term “local people” incudes diverse spectrum of communities. In the sense of this Biosphere Reserve Initiative, depending on where one is at the time, ‘local people’ will mean a different community group at each site. ‘Local people’ may refer to poor rural communities in Acornhoek; the mining community in Phalaborwa; the commercial farming sector in Hoedspruit, the refugee community in Welverdiend, the absentee landowners in the APNR, the business community in Tzaneen, and even the Tsonga speaking people of Bushbuckridge, and the Pedi people of Matabidi.
It is envisaged that the possible benefits to these different groups of local people include:
Improved and/ or increased employment opportunities
The development of new infrastructure, and improvement on existing infrastructure
Greater opportunities for development frameworks, and improved planning of initiatives for the future
Provision of basic needs (eg. Clean domestic water supply)
Improve the overall standard of health and health facilities (such as clinics and hospitals)
An increase in income per capita, which will lead to the overall improvement of the quality of life
Better access to education, and improved education facilities
Greater opportunities for research projects in the future
Improve and expand conservation efforts
Greater co-ordination amongst different initiatives
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