UPdAtES froM thE EAStErN cAPE

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA

VUBUZELA FREE tAcKLiNG thE UPPEr cAthcMENt Nicky McLeod Mzongwana valley, from which the On the 01 September 2014, 55 new Mgeni river flows as one of the key recruits from Ward 7 at Mzongwa- upper tributaries of the Mzimvubu na area signed up for a new DEA river, is incredibly badly infested funded, and CEPF subsisided, with over 3000 ha of mature black Land User Incentives Programme and silver wattle, which is threat- which Environmental and Rural ening homesteads, rangelands and Solutions and Conservation South streams. Rather than tackling ar- Africa are implementing. Mzong- eas where the wattle already has wana is a remote, disadvantaged a stronghold, and where we will community in the beautiful North never reclaim productive ground, Eastern corner of the Alfred Nzo we are targeting areas where we District against the Lesotho bor- can fight back new manageable der where 60% of the new employ- stands of wattle back from invad- ees have a maximum of grade 7 / ing grazing and arable lands, and std 5, and only 5 recruits have mat- where it is starting to establish in ric. Although many people own riparian zones. catchment first and livestock and generate income will eventually progress further from selling livestock, firewood down stream so that the uMzim- and vegetables, most people in the vubu catchment is restored from area have at least 4 dependents the source of the river to the sea at and no source of cash income. The Port St Johns. NEW ALLiANcE - addresses catchment health issues for water security The Endangered Wildlife Trust three priority sites: the Amathole, EWT’s Source to Sea Programme. portance of water and how crucial kulu, Manager of CSA’s Umzim- (EWT), Wildlife and Environment uMZimvubu and UmZimkulu it is for our survival, our health vubu green Economy demonstra- Society of South Africa (WESSA), catchments in South Africa. Our On the African continent there and our dignity. tion site. and Conservation South Africa key objectives are to improve nat- are approximately 345 million (CSA) are proud to announce the ural resource protection and man- people without access to clean, us- “Within uMzimvubu catchment “We are extremely excited about launch of a European Union (EU) agement; to empower communi- able water. Surveys from 45 devel- CSA is working with Traditional this partnership and this project sponsored project that will focus ties to value the natural resources oping countries show that women Authorities and Municipalities to because it is a concerted, large on natural resource conservation under their custodianship; and to and children bear the primary enable local communities realize scale and focused response to the and management for the gen- empower communities to enter responsibility for water collection protection of thousands of hect- increasingly alarming water situa- eration of a water-linked green- the green economy through the in the majority of households. ares of NFEPA wetlands that are tion in the priority areas. We are economy in the Eastern Cape and development of sustainable alter- This is time not spent working at a source of water for two million approaching the project holisti- Southern KwaZulu-Natal. native livelihoods. We are certain an income-generating job, caring people downstream. Communi- cally and we are confident that that this coalition of three local for family members, or attending ties are showing huge interest in real changes will be made in terms “The project, initiated in March NGOs with such in-depth knowl- school. Globally, Women spend becoming custodians of wetlands of habitat rehabilitation, species 2014, will address challenges edge and understanding of the is- 200 million hours a day collecting while clear benefits such as job preservation and community de- around water security, poverty sues within the region will ensure water. Every 21 seconds, a child creation through clearing of in- velopment,” concluded Corrigan. alleviation and the value of fresh- the success of the project,” said dies from a water-related illness. vasive vegetation are tied to these water investment scenarios in Bridget Corrigan, Manager of the There is no denying the sheer im- agreements. ” says Sinegugu Zu-

This publication is sponsored by: ECORANGER NEW REFLECTIONS UCPP WEBSITE Benefits beyond A new website for conservation partnership news. – PAGE 2 umzimvubu.org 2 ENViroNMENt NEWS

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA rEfLEctioNS of AN EcorANGEr Life in the veld with Sibongiseni Xingwana of Motseng Nolubabalo Kwayimani Sibongiseni XINGWANA and myths from their ancestors. Kopano a 29 year old traditional After a long initiation process healer has reunited with his Sibongiseni began to use his family after months of separation. special gifts to help people, often Sibongiseni’s job as an Ecoranger prescribing remedies from nature now provides enough income to help his patients. A claw for for him to care for his siblings, flu and Amafuthomhlaba known Sibongile, Bongiswa and as Ox-eye daisy for stomach Paulos. Sibongiseni is happy problems,cramps and indigestion. and hopeful, he sees the value that nature provides not only for When Sibongiseni and his their subsistence and health but siblings were devastated by the for keeping families together and passing of his father, he took up maintaining their traditions. the helm as head of the family. With his new responsibilities and Sibongiseni grew up in the only one or two paying patients remote village of Motseng in a week, he wasn’t able to provide Matatiele, a place so far from for his family and all three moved any town or supermarket that to extended family for financial residents look to their land for support. Sibongiseni felt frustrated lifes essentials; medicine, crops, that he was unable to fulfill his water, fodder and shelter. In this obligations as head of the family village there are very few economic and through the many months opportunities, bar the occasional they were apart he dreamed that entrepreneur who sets up a small one day he would get them back. stall selling soap, vegetables, coke and beer. More than half of all In 2013, The Department people in Motseng currently rely of Environmental Affairs, on some form of government grant Conservation South Africa and to get by. Environment and Rural Solutions growth of invasive alien plants. takes his older sister on the long up clearing of our difficult black joined forces to tackle the Communities are already seeing trip to town where they are able wattle which will bring much Sibongiseni is well known to his mammoth task of restoring the the benefits of this work and in to buy provisions for the month. change to our land and rivers – neighbours, he is an INYANGA degraded rangelands in the region. just under a year more than 200 The income he now receives but the biggest change for me or traditional healer who was After consultations with Chief hectares have been cleared and has also enabled Sibongiseni to personally is having my family called to heal by his ancestors, an Lebenya, the head of Ward 14 and stock is healthier than ever before. finish building their previously back where they belong, back to honor he graciously accepted.. his headmen, Sibongiseni and 95 unfinished home the land our ancestors fought over Inyanga’s like Sibongiseni are other people were recruited to the For Sibongiseni, the day he and treasured for so long” important leaders who provide programme. brought his siblings back home When Sibongiseni reflected on crucial services including healing Sibongiseni and his colleagues symbolized his journey to his journey with Conservation physical, emotional and spiritual now spend their days outside, manhood, to again be able to take South Africa he finished by saying illnesses, carrying out birth or steering their animals to healthier care of his loved one’s and to once “ I have learned a lot about our death rituals, finding lost cattle pastures, monitoring animal and again reclaim his place as head of big and small livestock, about and recounting traditional stories rangeland health and clearing new his family. On pay day Sibongiseni rotational grazing and follow EWt trAiNiNG dAy Eight Endangered Wildlife of the year. The Ecorangers are Trust (EWT) Ecorangers outdid exposed to a variety of experiences themselves when they taught and opportunities that will

fifty Environmental and Rural develop them both personally © C Theron by Photo Solutions (ERS) NRM/EPWP and professionally. It is hoped workers at Ward 7 in basic ecology that they will eventually play an and some environmental concepts. important role in private and Within seven weeks of exposure communal stewardship sites and and mentoring from EWT’s Cobus add to all the other activities of Theron, the Ecorangers were able the UCPP and Healthy Catchment to facilitate the training. EWT alliance. Congratulations to EWT hopes to place four Ecorangers and their Ecorangers on this on a permanent basis by the end wonderful achievement. ENViroNMENt NEWS 3

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA rEfLEctioNS of AN EcorANGEr

cLiMAtE SUMMit for ALfrEd Nzo diStrict Yamkela Luphindo DECISION MAKERS TAKE ACTION Earlier this year the Alfred Nzo impact on peoples ability to live responsive projects like protecting appropriate platform to highlight for the beginning of 2015 with District Municipality brought and provide for themselves. wetlands, improving storm water and motivate for climate change the purpose of explaining and together decision makers from drainage, removing alien invasive issues that need to be addressed helping multiple municipalities national and local government, A district level Vulnerability species all help to improve peoples in the district. This is allowing Councillors and staff understand research institutions and ngo’s to Assessment, underway by responses to climate change. greater alignment with municipal the importance of climate change assess the risks and challenges that Conservation South Africa (CSA), IDP.’s. integration into their development climate change poses to them and was presented showing areas most As a result of the summit, a Lets A road show has been scheduled planning processes. the vulnerable communities they sensitive to change in climate. By Respond Toolkit workshop was represent. following an Ecosystem Based held with decision makers to help The climate change summit Adaptation (EbA) approach, integrate climate change concerns was geared towards bringing people can continue to thrive into local development plans. the climate change debate to while still protecting important local people and explaining the natural areas. Of most importance Thereafter the Vulnerability possible impacts that could be felt to summit participants was the fact Assessment, areas of importance, internationally and locally. The that this process provided evidence were accepted by the climate summit provided scaled down to motivate why development change committee, and the 1st future projections for changes in should not be approved when draft will be completed on 1 rainfall and temperature within planned within wetlands, flood February 2015. the district over the medium zones and sensitive natural areas. term(2050) and long term (2100). The climate change committee These changes will have an The promotion of climate has proved to be an efficient and 4 iNtErN NEWS

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA NEW GroEN SEbENzA PioNEErS for thE EAStErN cAPE Nolubabalo Kwayimani

Conservations South Africa (CSA) welcomes four olisi attended to Baleni Junionr Secondary School Wild Life College where he received his certifi- Groen Sebenza interns to their Eastern Cape, and continued his secondary education at Baleni cate in tourism development and protected area Matatiele office. The four interns were origionally Senior Secondary School where he matriculated management. During this time he represented hosted by ngo, Sustaining the Wild Coast fbefore in 2006. He furthered his studies at University of Amadiba Adventures in an international trade fair transferring to CSA. The interns will acquire soft Fort Hare where he obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Berlin Germany. skills and will be exposed to our work in the up- in applied communications management. He was per catchment of Umzimvubu. The four interns one of the fortunate Groen Sebenza pioneers who He then joined Sustaining the Wild Coast an will be joining the five Groen Sebenza already- joined Sustaining the Wild Coast in June 2013 organisation that has played a huge role working hosted by CSA. His role was environmental education at local and uplifting communities. Through his involve- schools , collecting indigenous plant specimens ment in this work he was formally inducted into Bongeka Ntola’s roots are firmly planted in the and pressing . The purpose of the programme was their community structures for development like Eastern Cape town of Bizana. She was raised by a to expose Mxolisi to the biodiversity sector and ACCODA trust. Mzamo was elected to Amadiba single mother with four sisters and three brothers. learn about the indigenous species in Pondoland. Crisis Committee to respond to mining applica- Bongeka went to Gcinisizwe SPS and completed He has acquired a lot of experience over the past tion or developmetns that result in marginalised her junior grades at Mbekwa Junionr Secondary year and has fallen in love with writing. Mxolisi communities. School located at Mpisi village near Baleni. She is looking forward to this new part of his journey then furthered her secondary education at No- with Conservation South Africa. He enjoy being Mzamo has also worked with Endangered Wild magqwathekana Comp Technicon. For Bongeka challenged because he believes the only way to Life Trust (EWT) as Wild Coast Stewardship this internship is a stepping stone to helping her grow is gaining enough experience to aid you in leader for two years and attended a course Trans- achieve her goals. Bongeka is joining the CSA overcoming challenges and learning from mis- formation Training, by Keamage College. team as a Para-Ecologist (Intern) and will be col- takes. With this attitude he believes he can go far lecting plants specimens, and compiling monthly in life. “I have always wanted to get work exposure In additon Mzamo has worked for Community reports based on her work with the community. and work experience and this is what I am expect- Organization Resource Centre (CORC) in Cape She is looking forward to working with Conserva- ing from CSA, being exposed to different people Town doing environemental education with com- tion South Africa and learns more about all that from different backgrounds will contribute to my munities and schools in the Eastern Cape. This they are involved in. personal and professional development”. He also opportunity enabled him to grow as he attended believes that his passion for the environment will an Eco-Village design course in Germany. As part Sibusiso Mqadi was born in Bizana at Xholobeni be his motivation in producing better work and of development work with SWC they had a proj- in 1985 August 14. He finished high scool in 2005. working for the province and the village he is ect on water tanks supply. Amongst his numerous He is joining CSA as Xhobelani Para- Ecologist from is an accomplishment in itself. achievements he has won a Telly award for best and as a Permaculturlist. Sibusiso enjoys work- community development facilitator. ing with his people and while he is knowledgable Mzamo Dlamini was born at Amadiba Adminis- about plants he is looking forward to learning trative Authority in a village called Sigidi with his Mzamo is thrilled to be joining CSA as one of the more from the traditional healers at Xhobelani. three brothers and two sisters. He attended pri- Groen Sebenza interns. He is currently working with the community mary and junior schooling at Mahaha Junior Sec- members to protest against proposed mining. in ondary. He furthered his studies at Mdatya Senior his region. He is actively involved as a member of Secondary school where he passed matric with the Accoda Trust, a committee that looks after the exemption in 2000. Mzamo grew up as a herd boy development at Amadiba location. which meant he had to take turns with neighbours and siblings to care for their livestock in between Mxolisi Ngongoma (well known as Mxoh) was school days. He started working for Amadiba Ad- born and raised in Bizana, at a village called Bale- ventures until 2002 where he was trained as a tour ni years ago in the Eastern Cape. 26 year old Mx- guide . Mzamo attended the Southern African firE NEWS 5

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA

Photo by © B Connoly 62 KiLoMEtrES of firEbrEAK Hendaretha Kellerman for MAtAtiELE Bob Connolly WILDFIRES DEVASTATE vast ar- to burn an open ended firebreak of Besides for their usefulness for ob- ha. Although it does not fall into ised by low flames of generally less eas of South Africa with unaccept- over 60 kilometres in the volatile structing the spread of wildfires, the ecological requirement for than 0.5m in height, and lasted for able loss of human lives, livestock stretch between Ongeluksnek and firebreaks provide a safe zone from grass fuel loads (4000kg/ha) it was almost nine hours until it was fi- and property. Thousands of hect- Quaggasnek. which to start back burning in deemed adequate for burning an nally extinguished at 23:00 on the ares are burnt by wildfires with huge times of crisis. Minimal labour is open ended firebreak. A kestrel same day. economic losses in the agricultural, Being proactive rather than reac- required when burning open ended weather meter was used to moni- forestry and wildlife sectors. tive . firebreaks under the right weather tor weather conditions at higher al- “Except for a few hot spots and Rural communities in the Mata- An open ended firebreak provides conditions. titudes to provide a comparison of areas that did not burn, I think the tiele district in the Eastern Cape are a practical means of creating cost weather parameters. burn was a great success,” says Bob threatened by wildfires every year, effective and ecologically accept- In anticipation of the big day. Connolly. “My estimate is that the and local residents have endured able firebreaks that span over vast The window of opportunity for the 62km of firebreaks in under nine firebreak is about 90% burnt with many hardships in the past. One of distances. It is effective in control- open ended firebreak in Matatiele hours. an average width of +/- 200m. I the main sources is fires that cross ling the spread of damaging wild- was very narrow as it had to be After waiting for over three weeks am thankful for the opportunity to the border from Lesotho. fires. Best Operating Procedures done before the first heavy frost of in anticipation of the right weather do an open ended firebreak in this for burning open ended firebreaks winter, which could result in a very conditions, Bob Connolly, Work- challenging terrain!” In desperate need of an interven- were developed in the Kruger Na- high grass curing percentage. In ad- ing on Fire Operations Manager tion. tional Park, where research on open dition to this, weather conditions announced the go-ahead on June “With the support of the Matatiele The Firewise Communities Pro- ended firebreaks was initially con- had to conform to the Best Operat- 10th, 2014. The mission was led by Municipality, we would hope this to gramme educates local residents in ducted. ing Procedures. Incident Commander Val Charlton be an annual pre-fire season secu- these isolated areas to the dangers Obtaining an accurate weather fore- (Kishugu Non Profit Company) rity measure that is integrated into of uncontrolled fires to the com- The concept of an open ended fire- cast for the mountainous area along with the support of the FireWise the Municipal Integrated Develop- munity. The programme provides break on consistences is applied the border was challenging due to teams. ment Plan and extending, not just simple measures and training to to partially cured grass fuels and the inaccessibility and remoteness Raindance equipment was installed 62km, but the entire length of the help communities to mitigate wild- usually done during the late sum- of the area. There was also a nar- in the helicopter for aerial ignition municipalities mountainous inter- fire threats. Each season a firebreak mer. An open ended firebreak will row window of opportunity for the and 4937 ignition capsules were face zone,” says Val Charlton. plan is put in place around villages. spread very slowly as it is a low in- collection of relevant data on which dropped at an altitude of +1800m This year a much bigger test was put tensity fire, which will subsequently critical operational decisions were over a distance of 62km, between in place and the decision was made be extinguished by the decreasing to be based. Ongeluksnek and Quaggasnek. to put research to the test and un- temperature and increasing relative The Firewise team measured the The fire burnt as a very low inten- dertake a first of its kind mission humidity at night. grass fuel load at 1900–3000kg/ sity, slow spreading fire, character- Photo by © Hein Krause © Hein by Photo © B Connoly by Photo 6 VELd NEWS

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA fiELd GALLEry photo by Nicky McLeod Nicky by photo

Veld Assessment photo by Nicky McLeod Nicky by photo Clearing Underway Ecoranger

Training McLeod Nicky by photo Days Photo’s by C Theron by Photo’s

AuctionA recent stock sale raised just under half a million rand for communal farmers in the region photo by N McLeod by photo Photo by T Mildenhall by Photo

Dipping Day MDTP exchange Motseng 2014

Royal Bakoena Community Development Trust representatives meet with reps from EWT, CsA and ERs to discuss plans for conservation- based agriculture and development in the ongeluksnek valley and wetlands, which has been under claim by the

photo by Nicky McLeod Bakoena people since 1998. Cranes & Rivers McLeod Nicky by Photo Tata Madiba sine, Councillor sibongisile Baba and Nicky planting Combetum erythrophyllum trees at ward 14 communication hall to commemarate the passing of Tata Madiba

photo by sissie Matela McLeod Nicky by Photo

DEA visit McLeod Nicky by Photo Christo Marais from DEA national office meets ERs supervisor (and Motseng CPA chair) Ntate Mbuyiseli Xingwana on an exploratory uMzimvubu catchment trip photo by Nicky McLeod - steele Bridge faciliated by FireWise VELd NEWS 7

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA firEWiSE dAy Sindiswa Mabhija

We spent a happy day as QueensMercy in Committie. get through. Keep up the strength and the good Matatiele celebrated its first FireWise day hosted work” Mrs N Gugushe. Mpharane FireWise by Nkau project and joined by team leaders and These are some of the quotes from the people that Committee their site supervisor from Madlangala project, rendered their speeches; with the purpose to make the community aware “In Madlangala it has not been long, we have seen of the work done by FireWise in this area and also “Looking at the work done, fire wise should open a miracle –it is so clean already, stock theft has for FireWise to hear from the community about 5 more projects in other wards too” Nomathemba been reduced since the Wattle clearing, destroying how they feel about the work done by FireWise in Mlaba, Matatiele local Municipality. the bushes as people used to hide stolen animals their communities. in these bushes. In 62 families people do not “we see the good work that is being done, as ask from anyone – poverty has been reduced This was a joyous celebration with all the teams people in development we also wish the skills drastically” as you enter the community of taking part in rendering music, traditional dances, imparted could be coupled with certification Madlangala, you see the yellow uniform shoeing poetry all on the theme to fight fires….joining to confirm the skills that have been given… that there are people working. Mr Mkangala, in the celebration were the following dignitaries: something the members can show even when Madlangala committee member Headman Nkau (from Nkau village), Headman they go to other employment areas” Mrs Nkau, Sphambo (Madlangala Village), Mrs Nkau Community development worker. “As a Queens Mercy clinic we are grateful to (Community Development Worker), Councillor be invited, we see firewise doing good things. Shukumisa (Ward 11), Douglas Olen (FireWise “Thank you to Mr Douglas, Mr Majikijela, Mr Now we see open spaces and crime is drastically Assistant General Manager), Nomathemba Lwazi, and Mr Ntokozo, I wish you strength as lowered. We do not hear of rape cases anymore. Mlaba (Matatiele local Municipality), Mrs firwewise to grow in leaps and bounds as we see Even in field fires, if the forest happens to burn, Molaoa (Queens Mercy Clinic), Working on fire progress, our cows now have grazing lands as the it does not burn as densely as it used to before. ” (Ongeluksnek), Madlangala, Mpharane, Mrs Wattle has been removed” Mr Sobuntu, Nkau Mrs Molaoa, Queen’s mercy clinic N Gugushe and Mrs Lejeloane from Mpharane committee member. FireWise Commitee, Mrs Ntsontso, Ms Marareni and Mr. Mkhangala from Madlangala FireWise “ upon all challenges that have been faced by Committee and Mr. Silwani from Nkau FireWise FireWise in Mpharane, you have managed to

Photo by © Ntokozo Tembe © Ntokozo by Photo Photo by © Ntokozo Tembe © Ntokozo by Photo Cranes & Rivers SPEciES thAt fEEd thE WorLd Although domesticated plants In addition, a recent study and animals (or products found that because pollinators derived from them) probably support certain crops that make up most of your diet, provide important nutrients everything you eat originates to malnourished countries, a with wild species. That is a decline in pollinators could worrying fact, considering worsen global malnutrition. that human activities have elevated the extinction rate to The importance of bees means 1,000 times its natural level. we should heed their recent Pollinators like bees and birds dramatic declines. Although are responsible for about one there are likely numerous in every three mouthfuls of causes of this collapse, food we eat. protecting bees from known threats like pesticides is an Without bees, yields of crops essential step in maintaining like almonds, apples and our food security, even as we avocados would collapse, or redouble research into the possibly disappear altogether. threats we don’t understand Photo by ©TMildenhall by Photo Photo by ©T Mildenhall by Photo 8 SPotLiGht oN UcPP

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA UcPP: PArtNErS iN thE fiELd Nompendulo NoMPENDULo MGWALI , fondly with her Masters in Development known as Pesh, joined Conservation studies. Pesh was born and grew south Africa as a Rangelands and up in Idutywa in the Eastern Cape Livestock Extension officer, based where she fell in love with Livestock in the Eastern Cape office. Pesh during her herding days, she spent previously worked as an intern for most of her childhood looking after Government. and prior to this she the livestock and playing games up pursued her Law studies majoring the mountain, she is knowledgeable Gerbrand in Criminal Law at Nelson Mandela about various fruits and animals as Metropolitan University. During her she hunted for her lunch. Pesh is GERBRAND NEL grew up on a plant populations to develop a final year she decided to return back to currently leading ward 21 one of CsA’s restoration projects. she started mixed farm in the Matatiele district community framework for monitoring her first love - Agriculture and she went projects at Mvenyana. Her studies and leading the project in November 2013 and always favored livestock farming and evaluation towards sustainable on to obtain her National Diploma in experiences play a crucial role in her and has gained a wealth of confidence above cropping and cultivation. use of these resources (i.e. sustainable Agriculture in 2011 and in 2012. and work with CsA in the uMzimvubu. she and experience as one of the Groen When he finished school, he went off-take of the various natural plants graduated with a B tech Agriculture . focuses on sustainable agriculture sebenza interns. on an adventure to see the world they used within the Transfrontier This was not enough for uMampinga activities and baseline assessments and spent two years working on Park) with the Khomani san (Bushmen) (her clan name) and she continued working with the Ecorangers in land farms in the United Kingdom. He communities. He returned to studied Tourism and Geography at Gauteng after that and found himself University of Pretoria. Working eight in the environmental field as an to five of office hours on Geographic environmental control officer at a Sinegugu Zukulu Information systems (GIs) for civil major linear construction site. After engineers; led Gerbrand to enroll for three years the project approached sINEGUGU ZUKULU is a Landscape and initiatives. In 2005 he kick started a part-time correspondence MPhil completion and it was then that he got Manger at Conservation south Africa his career in the environment sector (wildlife management) degree through the wonderful opportunity to return and a Director of both sustaining by working as a Project Manager in the the Centre for Wildlife Management ‘home’ to work for CsA’s Eastern Cape the Wild coast and The Global Greening of the Nation Programme at University of Pretoria, where he was office in Matatiele! He really trusts that Environment Trust. sinegugu grew up at Asizame Landscaping where challenged to do fieldwork for the his background and experience gained herding livestock in Pondoland and fell he focused on planning, designing research component in GIs mapping up until now can culminate to impact in love with the flowers of his native and implementing environmental exercise of traditionally used medicinal positively in this very special area. land from an early age. environment education programmes. The following sustainability and capacity building year he joined sANBI in Nelspruit as has always been his passion and the Environmental Education officer this is drawn from his experience and worked on the management, Bridget and academic records. He achieved recruitment and training of Assistant Munyantore his first Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental officers and the Education majoring in Geography implementation of environmental Ms BRIDGET MUNYANToRE (Project officer) of Environmental and Rural at the University of Transkei. He education programmes,. In addition solutions qualified in Environmental Ethics and Rural Development in Uganda in furthered his studies at stellenbosch to this sinegugu worked on the 2010, and has several years of experience as a volunteer on range of development University where he obtained Masters interpretation of the plants within the projects including conservation agriculture and care for vulnerable children. she of philosophy in Environmental Lowveld National Botanical Garden provides a highly organised project implementation and administration support Management. He started working as a before working for the Endangered function, especially for the alien clearing and WfW projects implemented by ERs. geography teacher and has published Wildlife Trust doing Project she is a qualified First Aid and oHs officer. a number of books, the latest one management and community liaison being Medicinal and Charm Plants of for community development. Pondoland. sinegugu has left a mark Mafuza in different organizations with his work Nkomo Moleboheng Tsephe Mr Mafuza Nkomo (field officer) assists with environmental monitoring for water supply and other construction projects, as well alien clearing projects and. Ms. Moleboheng Tsephe (administrator) has 13 years of experience with rural development projects, and worked for an He is a qualified safety and oHs officer, and is studying for an Environmental NGo for 9 years administering and facilitating environmental education projects. she is responsible for reception, record Compliance officer certificate. He has extensive experience with support for keeping and general administration, and also assists with community consultation and public participation for sesotho and practical environmental compliance for water supply construction, and has Xhosa stakeholders. Lebo has completed a sETA NQF 5 learnership in Environmental Education & Training through WEssA, as provided on-site support for ECo functions since early 2012. well as a business admin certificate through INTEC, with ERs. she also contributes to the environmental education outreach support. Nicky McLeod Ms. NICKY MCLEoD (General Manager) has papers on natural resource management, policy and project management with a been working in the field of environmental environmental education and tourism focus on environment. Project management resource management in rural areas since in sA and abroad. Nicky has made includes community based ecotourism 1992. she has a B.sc. in Environmental & inputs into policy debates leading to products, Working For Water, school greening Geographical science and Archaeology, formulation of environmental laws in south and sanitation initiatives, and implementing with Honours in Environmental science, a Africa. she has produced policy papers, Poverty Relief fund initiatives. DWA water diploma in environmental education and mobilized community groups, trained sector reviews, tourism development plans permaculture, as well as qualifications in local stakeholders and was instrumental and district environmental management development design, management and in establishing the Mehloding hiking trail plans for various local authorities and private facilitation. she has 18 years of hands on and its owner, the Mehloding Community clients have augmented her experience with experience working in rural areas with Trust. she has extensive experience environmental impact assessment work. development initiatives, including soil compiling business plans, carrying out Basic GIs skills complement her role. she is conservation, water supply and sanitation, feasibility assessments, implementing and a certified member of the southern African and low-input agricultural production. managing development projects, facilitating Institute of Ecologists and Environmental she has managed a south African non- community liaison, and conducting scientists. Photo by © ERS profit organization and presented several community and authority workshops on UcPP PArtNEr NEWS 9

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA Lipalesa Sissie Matela LIPALEsA sIssIE MATELA as a field soil scientist, development has published several information (director) is a natural resources facilitator, university lecturer, and promotion materials, produced management specialist and an researcher, environmental assessment educational manuals and posters, accredited Environmental Assessment practitioner and project manager. published articles in journals, and Practitioner, with over thirty years sissie has experience facilitating produced a myriad project reports. of experience in soil and water formation of community institutions, sissie completed assignments for conservation, rural development, training local rural communities in international organizations such tourism planning, and environmental natural resource management for as the IUCN, GEF, World Bank, impact assessments. she has a Bsc. in economic development and advising FAo, ECI Africa and IFAD in natural Environmental science and an Msc. them on the optimum use of the resource management, community in Agronomy and soils science, with national regulatory framework. she development and environmental additional relevant training from has a lot of experience in policy management, all with components in institutions based in the UsA, Canada, research and analysis of the impacts community participation and requiring Finland, the Netherlands, Kenya, of policy on sustainable development travel to different parts of Africa. Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and quality of life, and meeting the and south Africa. she has worked needs of disadvantaged groups. she Lwazi Khuzwayo Yamkela Luphindo King Edward high school. He was actively - Firewise Coordinator: Queen’s Mercy, Matatiele involved in sports and enjoyed his years Lwazi Khuzwayo as a captain and head boy. He furthered his studies at University of Kwazulu Natal where he graduated in Bsc Geography and Environmental Management. He then completed his Honours degree at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University where he was offered to complete his Masters in fifteen months. . His thesis was “sense of place in climate change Yamkela Luphindo recently joined adaptation and case study based in CsA in May 2014 as a Technical Research soweto”. Yamkela served as an intern Associates and his focal area is Climate for two years at the Department of Change at the Matatiele office. He is local Government and traditional passionate about research and aiming on affairs in Bisho where he was based at using his skills at CsA in supporting the the Municipal Infrastructure service Climate Change component. Yamkela Department. He is thrilled to be part of grew up in Matatiele and attended his CsA and looking forwarding to applying Primary and secondary education at his skills and expanding his knowledge

Company

Photo by © Nomathemba Mlaba Spotlight

MY MAIN focus is on the “The FireWise programme is where all of the headmen under management of invasive alien plants implemented within 3 wards of his administration were present. (silver wattle, poplar, etc.) in the Matatiele local municipality and He explained everything to them Kishugu NPC provides strategic, buildingresilient communities that catchment area, which reduces the employs over 298 beneficiaries within whereupon an agreement was signed practical solutions for managing are better able to cope with the fire fuels as well as improving land 23 teams. Each team includes a between FireWise and each headman natural resources and a platform for idiosyncrasies, and who appreciate the management practice. The FireWise team leader, a first aider, a herbicide allowing us to burn. Dates were then civil society, the private sector, donor fragility of the natural environment programme uses horse mounted applicator and a health and safety communicated which subsequently agencies and government agencies and life support systems. Currently, teams with a greater range in the representative. All the beneficiaries changed due to unsatisfactory weather to combine their efforts to provide a 1250 community members are upper reaches of the catchment have been trained in firewise principals conditions. I then kept Chief Jerry and focused response to the care of the employed in 8 projects in 4 provinces to control invader alien plants and and basic fire-fighting. The Mpharane the headmen at Nkau, Madlangala and environment. of south Africa. ground operating teams in the more community within ward 13 comprises Mpharane constantly updated as to Kishugu’s core focus in this area Kishugu NPC also implements the accessible lower areas. strategic of eight ground teams and two horse the weather conditions, thus ensuring is on the Firewise Communities Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) fire breaks are constructed and fire teams, the Nkau community in ward 12 that everyone was on the same page. Programme, which seeks to protect FynbosFire Project on behalf of the awareness campaigns are undertaken consists of six ground teams and two The prescribed burn finally took place people and property from wildfire Department of Environmental Affairs. within the communities by trained horse teams and lastly, the Madlangala on the 10th of June 2014. When the risks, by encouraging local solutions This special Climate Change Fund FireWise team members in order community within ward 11 consists big day arrived, I contacted all the for wildfire safety. The firewise team project aims to reduce the risk to life, to reduce the potential risk of loss/ of three ground teams and two horse headmen and the chief to inform them help homeowners, community leaders, the economy and the environment damage to lives and property created teams. of our intention to burn on that day.” planners, developers, firefighters, and that is caused by unwanted wildland by wildfires during fire season. These others in this effort. The goal with fires associated with climate change. awareness campaigns include “door On organising the open ended “I joined the helicopter crew and Firewise Communities is to enhance The team develop sustainable to door” visits to schools, crèches firebreak: pointed out the areas where we had to the sustainability and protection of interventions to radically reform and homes before and during the start and end the burn. I also helped life, livelihoods and the environment theapproach to managing wildland fire season. The aim is to ensure that “Firstly I organised a meeting with them to ensure that we do not burn through integrated fire management, fire and implementing strategies the communities are well aware of Chief Jerry Moshoeshoe to explain too close to the homesteads and the in order to contribute to economic critical to good practice. the risk of fires and the prevention the completion of the open ended cattle kraals in the mountains. When empowerment, skills development, measures that can be implemented firebreak. After this meeting I then the initial operation was complete, I social equity and accelerated service to prevent unwanted ignitions or the consulted with the headmen at Nkau, kept on monitoring through constant delivery. spread of wildfires. other activities of Madlangala and Mpharane regarding communication with the residents in The Firewise Communities the programme include fuel reduction the fire break and this was met with the areas to ensure that all remained Programme teaches people how around schools, clinics, crèches and old no objections. I then organised a on alert for potential flare ups.” to adapt to living with fire by age homes. follow on meeting with Chief Jerry Moshoeshoe at Nkau tribal authority 10 cULtUrAL NEWS

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA rocK Art hEritAGE - Interesting facts and tips Tessa Mildenhall SOUTH AFRICA is famous for paintings because of the organic housing some of the most beautiful nature of the materials used. and well preserved Rock Art known to man. The San Bushmen were very spiritual people. They believed that On a recent visit to Matatiele we animals were their connection to had a rare opportunity to do some another world.. Their paintings sightseeing. We were privileged reflect this belief with many of to visit was the rock art paintings the paintings demonstrating San of Lehlapeng While it was quite religious beliefs and practices. a feat to clamber down to the site, it was well worth the visit. The Some well known images include paintings were plentiful and our the trance dance, an important very interesting guide decoded religious rite. The San believed some of the drawings for us. Here they could, through this dance, are some of the interesting facts we communicate with the spirit world learned. where they had the power to heal the sick, travel far and manage Rock Art paintings are the their animals. Some things you only footprint left behind by could look for that are markers for the Bushmen who roamed the this scene are dance poses, bending mountains and grasslands of forward at the waist, arms held out South Africa. Bushmen were backwards, bleeding from the nose nomads who moved with their and a hand to nose posture. Look herds of animals when the seasons out for items such as dance rattles changed. They rarely left behind and fly whisks. open to the public, do not give the images. Fats and oils from the damaged. Take only photographs much in the way of infrastructure, location to anyone else. Contact hands lead to the decay of the art (Flash photography will not just their stories, thoughts and Rock Art is incredibly vulnerable the nearest rock art institution or and contaminate it for any future damage the art). beliefs depicting animals and to climate change and vandalism heritage authority. dating or chemical analysis. • Follow the wilderness motto: people stained on the rocks that and every effort should be made • Treat the art as you would a • Never remove stone tools or Leave nothing but your footprints once served as their shelter. to preserve these historical picture in your house or in a other archaeological artefacts from behind . Litter spoils the experience paintings. gallery. Never throw water or any rock art sites. Even a single artefact for the next visitor. The paintings were created using liquid on the images or chalk the can jeopardize further research • Intervene if you see anybody minerals in red, brown and yellow There are some basic things outlines of engravings to highlight and lead to the destruction of the damaging or vandalizing the art. pigments made from ochres while you can do to ensure you or your them. site. If they persist, inform the police white came from silica, china visitors do not damage the rock art • Never place graffiti on a rock • Avoid stirring up dust from the and/or contact the South African clay and gypsum and black from sites you are visiting. art site; it is often impossible to floors at rock art sites. Dust settles Heritage Resource Agency. specularite or other manganese remove. These illegal practices on the art and, in time, hardens minerals. Bushmen mixed these • Get permission from the obscure and damage the art. to form a dark crust over the minerals with organic binding landowner or relevant authorities • Look closely at the art so you can paintings. agents like blood and egg albumin, before visiting a rock art site see fine details, but do not touch • Never attempt any tracing or making it very difficult to date the • If you find a site that is not or lean on painted or engraved rubbing of the art since it is easily

local rock art WAtEr NEWS 11

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA

“WATER IS THE DRIVING FORCE IN NATURE” – Leonardo Da Vinci

ESSENtiAL for LifE oN EArth WAtEr: KEy to A Nolubabalo Kwayimani SUStAiNAbLE fUtUrE Water is our most precious and in- Water is essential as this is a source out of rivers and removing thirsty serving the last Umzimvubu river valuable natural resource, however, of life for human and biodiversity alien plant invaders dominating our basin which is one of the last free it is often taken for granted. While and with the challenge of the grow- rangelands - we can go a long way flowing, wild rivers of South Africa . freshwater is a renewable resource, ing gap between the water supply to solving part of the problem. This when demand outstrips supply, wa- and demand there is a need for also means humans using water The uMzimvubu river provides wa- ter becomes scarce. radical actions be taken. For so more sparingly and planning water- ter to a million users from source to many years we concentrated on wise gardens, recycling grey water sea and the basin forms the north- South Africans are facing this crisis building huge infrastructure, but this and generally conserving whatever ern portion with the highest mean head on with estimates of up to 98% is a call to change our ways in order we can. annual runoff in South Africa and of our available water supply ac- to sustain our water supply. comprising nearly 15% of the total counted for and 40% of our waste There are number of initiatives that river flow in the country. Well worth water treatments in a “critical state”. Nature is part of the solution - by are implemented projects to sus- the attention and investment of more 70 % of this water is used for agri- conserving ecological infrastruc- taining our future for example the than 32 organizations involved in cultural purposes and the 28% for ture, like wetlands that hold water, Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership the Umzimvubu Catchment Partner- domestic and industrial use. vegetation cover that keeps the soil Program is working towards con- ship Programme. 12 LocAL NEWS

MAYDECEMBER 2014 I 2014 VUBUZELA I VUBUZELA MiSSiNG Have you seen the Rudd’s Lark? Nicholas Theron the upcoming months and we are also in discussion with the Matatiele The Rudd’s Lark (Heteromirafra Municipality to implement a ruddi) is what most people might burning and grazing regime to refer to as an uninteresting LBJ support the species on the reserve. (Little Brown Job) and little It is also likely that populations of attention is paid to this bird. Rudd’s Lark remain to be found Making a case for the Rudd’s Lark in the communal grazing areas is further complicated by the fact and cattle farms surrounding the that it is very fussy and difficult reserve. With time we hope to better to find in its preferred grassland understand the status of the species habitat. The grassland must be flat here and encourage management and undulating and between 1700 practises that favour the continued and 2200 metres above sea level. persistence of this enigmatic little The grass must be short but not too lark. short, sparse but not too sparse and In early December 2014 the team grazed but not overgrazed. Regular undertook an additional survey annual burning is also not ideal but and again they were unable to nor is a lack of fire. It is no wonder locate this species. The absence of then that the species is highly this bird is concerning scientists localised, patchily distributed in light of the fact that the survey and rare! Up until recently the area is the most suitable hatitat species was classified as critically for its occurence. There is very endangered and although we know little suitable habitat outside of the the species is likely declining we reserve other than possibly under do not really know to what extent. housing or the grasslands which Determining the status of the have been ploughed for agriculture. species is therefore of high priority Scientists will continue to search if we are to conserve it. south of the reserve on private Outside the town of Matatiele in farmlands and are hopeful they will the Eastern Cape a small isolated find the species in this area. The population of Rudd’s Lark is known reserve still remains one of the best to occur on the flat gently sloping sites for Yellow-breasted Pipit in hillsides surrounding the town. Photo by © Warwick Tarboton South Africa. In December 2013 BirdLife South Africa arranged an expedition occurs here. We centred our efforts in the area but failed to locate the declaration of the Matatiele Nature How you can help? to Matatiele accompanied by on the recently declared Matatiele Lark. The reason for the apparent Reserve a change in fire regime Contact us for further information Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the Nature Reserve (also an Important ‘disappearance’ of the species here occurred and cattle have all but or to provide details of Rudd’s Lark Eastern Cape Department of Bird Area – IBA) which was once is difficult to explain at this stage been excluded which would have sightings in the Eastern Cape please Environmental Affairs andcommunal grazing lands and and further monitoring is needed led to a change in the structure of contact Nicholas Theron at 078 545 the Matatiele Municipality to was declared partly to protect the before conclusions can be reached. the grasslands. 8977 or [email protected] determine whether the species still Rudd’s. We spent a total of 3 days It seems likely though that with the Follow up surveys are planned in did yoU KNoW? The Maputaland-Pondol- to the region, the hotspot at least seven species of pated climatic changes. and degradation; lack of and-Albany biodiversity expands east to west from dwarf chameleon. A total institutional capacity and hotspotstretches across the Indian Ocean coast to of 73 frog species occur in Underlying these direct knowledge; poor gover- 275,000 square kilometers the Great Escarpment and the basin, including 24 en- threats are economic de- nance; limited land tenure through parts of Mozam- is the meeting point of six demics. Of the 73 species velopment models that security; and the depen- bique, Swaziland and different biomes. of freshwater fish in the do not account for the dence of local communities South Africa—is one of 34 hotspot, 20 are endemic. costs of environmental loss on natural resources. biodiversity hotspots iden- The mammal fauna of the Sometimes overlooked, the tified around the globe as hotspot includes more region’s seascape is equally Earth’s most biologically than 200 species. Of these, diverse rich yet threatened areas. eight are endemic and five, Maputaland-Pondoland- The Maputaland-Pondol- such as the black rhino, are Albany have many immedi- and-Albany biodiversity Critically Endangered. ate and long-term threats hotspot is one of the most to biodiversity persist, extraordinary places on The hotspot is also home primarily habitat loss and Earth, remarkable for both to 631 species of birds, degradation from agricul- its high level of biological including 14 endemics and ture, timber production, diversity and the life-sus- 25 globally threatened mining and urban develop- taining systems it main- southern African bird spe- ment. tains for millions of people. cies. There are 225 species These make the entire Characterized by a vegeta- of reptiles found in the region and its biodiversity tion type called subtropical hotspot, of which 63 spe- more susceptible to nega- thicket, which is unique cies are endemic, including tive impacts from antici- LocAL NEWS 13

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA MEAt NAtUrALLy Sustainable Agriculture Programme in the N & E Cape

Ecorangers in the Northern Cape health and social issues in these to enter and benefit from emerging areas. veld-fed meat markets; 4. CSA is building youth In both regions CSA is training skills, scientific knowledge of and employing local people as biodiversity, and economic “Ecorangers” – specialist herders understanding of benefits of healthy that work with existing herders ecosystems to regional livelihoods. to support environmental 5. CSA is testing the use of management activities such as Ecorangers and Anatolian guard rotational grazing, invasive species dogs as a non-lethal predator eradication of <1% density, and management practice (and thus erosion control. The rangers work wildlife-friendly meat) through with the herders to encourage livestock guarding. The long- rotational grazing that promotes term goal is to demonstrate that the growth of native plant species Ecorangers, with skills in mobile and helps keep non-native plant technology, can deter predators species at bay. Assistance to and provide scientific data for the herders goes beyond land managing farms. This has the management. CSA’s Ecorangers added benefit of creating long-term provide assistance through animal jobs and poverty alleviation. health by vaccinating and dipping 6. Providing farmers livestock and linking participating with access to market. A recent farmers to formal markets through communal cattle auction brought organized stock auctions. in half a million rand – the largest auction communal farmers of the to retain soil, provide fodder for healthier, and more commercially Key Activities of the MNI area have ever participated in. Tessa Mildenhall livestock, replenish aquifers, store desirable, livestock. 1. In Namaqualand we 7. Amplification – water, and reduce impacts of floods. Each region is dominated by employ 42 unemployed people to Communities have seen the benefits CSA is testing emerging approaches Nearly 70% of South Africa’s land livestock production activities and secure improved management on farmers are experiencing through to communal livestock production is suitable for grazing livestock. large scale unemployment however 774,600 ha of communal rangeland these management practices. that will reduce the vulnerability Unlike irrigated agriculture which they farm under different climatic that will benefit the entire 3 Surrounding villages have of farmers in the Northern and is highly vulnerable to water conditions with similarities that commonage population of about 20 established voluntary stewardship Eastern Cape Provinces of South scarcities predicted for SA, livestock include water and soil erosion 000 people. agreements to reclaim and restore Africa. production can be developed to arising from bad land management 2. In the Eastern Cape CSA degraded lands and maintain areas mimic historic wildlife migration practices and invasive alien plant employs 80 people (26 through sub that have been cleared of alien Given the looming uncertainty and patterns and work in harmony species. grants) to improve the management species. CSA assists these teams insecurity facing South Africa under with natural systems. And yet, of 435,000ha of rangelands that with training. all climate change projections, ironically, South Africa currently Each region is testing the eco- will benefit up to 1million people our approaches to sustainable imports 23% of its red meat, much ranger model in slightly different around the river that drains into the agriculture must maintain and of which comes from its northern ways as a means to implement uMzimvubu river. restore ecological infrastructure. neighbour, the MNI – however the common 3. CSA is establishing a denominator being that by training foundation for implementing the Within the country’s agricultural The programme bringsand empowering local communities National Environmental Standard landscapes, it is both prudent and conservationists and herders to be part of the solution we are for Red Meat Production within cost-effective to build poor farming together to develop best practices addressing ecological inbalances the Commonage Management Plan communities’ resilience to climate for sustainable grazing that protects and unemployment issues that Structures, thereby building the change by restoring nature’s capacity native plants and makes for have an indirect bearing on human capacity for Communal Farmers MASSMART IN THE FIELD WITH CSA Naturally Initiative. Massmart Dumi says that the difference Mxolisi Ngongoma is supporting efforts to develop between Massmart and other expertise, insights and best practice companies is the way in which they Massmart’s Environmental & on sustainable agriculture that they interact with their suppliers, Sustainability Analyst, Ms Dumisile can advocate through their supply Mokoena visited Conservation chain. “Massmart recognizes “Our advocacy process gives our South Africa (CSA) in Matatiele, that advocacy to suppliers’ offers suppliers a voice and opens doors Eastern Cape. significant opportunity to limit the for collaboration as opposed to During her visit Dumisile harmful effects of consumerism us just making policies without visited Motseng, ward 14 of the on the environment, and we consulting suppliers and getting municipality, to see one of the kraal therefore continue to focus on a solid understanding of what is sites in the area. This was great intensifying engagement efforts happening within our supply chain”. timing as she was here for a visit with our suppliers through They also give environmental to Letlapeng for the vaccination of various environmental advocacy Photo by © Warwick Tarboton awards to recognize suppliers who livestock. programmes such as sea food, have shown an industry leading Dumisile joined CSA in October timber, palm oil, packaging committed to not sourcing any 3. They organize workshops commitment to sustainable supply for a six week work shadow rationalization and reduction of endangered, critically endangered to give suppliers a platform to chain management. programme, to learn more about electronic waste to landfill” said or SASSI red-listed species. 2. communicate with them and for our sustainable agriculture and Dumisile. They deploy Massmart’s Seafood them as Massmart to communicate green economic development With seafood, Massmart has a four advocacy survey deployed to all their expectations with suppliers. Photo by ©CSA/NMgwali : Dumisile in Motseng to monitor a kraal site in the programmes in the Northern and step advocacy process which is 1. suppliers annually. In addition they 4. Lastly, they visit sites to validate area. This is one of the sites where the Eastern Cape of South Africa. They assess the sustainability of address issues around traceability, information provided in the survey kraal was placed, last summer, to help Dumisiles’ visit to the Eastern all seafood species being supplied by-catch reduction, over fishing, process. with the restoration and rehabilitation of Cape office came about as a result to Massmart. And through their the social impacts of fisheries and grazing lands, and the green grass is start- ing to grow. of Massmart’s interest in the Meat seafood guidance, they have fishery improvement projects. 14 NEWS

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA JUSt oNE bitE Ticks - Africa’s billion rand problem walking, heavy breathing, consti- Tessa Mildenhall pation (from rumen movements Farmers on rangelands are reg- stopping). Note that calves are re- ularly faced with the problem of sistant for the first 6 to 9 months ticks. Ticks can cause a variety of life. When treating an animal of diseases and must be treated for Gallsickness use Tetracyclines to ensure animals remain healthy. (many different brands) or imi- Annually, in Africa, tick-borne docarb diproprionate (eg Imizol diseases kill 1.1 million cattle or Forray 65). Keep the animal resulting in economic losses of quiet and do not let it walk long around R1.6 billion. distances

Tick-borne diseases are spread between animals by the bite of an Animals should preferably be infected tick. Ticks become in- exposed to the parasites at a young fected by feeding on animals that age so that they can develop natu- are either sick from disease, or ral immunity in areas where the are healthy but have the parasite diseases occur. Tick control by in their blood (carriers). Ticks dipping or spraying can reduce then infect animals through their the risk. Note that strategic tick saliva when they feed on the live- control is good, as it is a level of stock and it can take as little as a control that prevents ticks becom- single tick to pass diseases on to ing a nuisance, but allows enough an animal. Animals most sus- ticks to remain for infection to ceptible to ticks are exotic breeds, occur at an early age so that the tropical breeds like the Nguni and animals become protected against Brahman, older animals, goats the diseases. and sheep, animals that move Ngunis or Brahmans are more from disease-free areas to disease resistant to ticks and tick-borne areas and animals born in winter diseases and are therefore easier to (not exposed to parasites when care for. While there are vaccines young). Disease is most likely af- Photo by © T MILDENHALL available for heartwater, redwater ter good rains. therefore calves must not be not stress or drive it to the kraal, vous signs which can often be (both types) and gallsickness the dipped at all. rather treat in situ until it has re- seen more easily in cattle than in vaccines, particularly for heartwa- Warning signs for all diseases covered. Animals can be treated sheep and goats. Trouble with ter, must be used carefully. Preg- are often loss of appetite, depres- Never try to get rid of all the with Imidocarb diproprionate (eg walking, high stepping walking, nant animals should not be vacci- sion and weakness, lower milk ticks since the few ticks keep Imizol or Forray 65) or diminaz- unusual behaviour like walk- nated, as abortion may occur. production in milking animals the resistance to the tick-borne ene aceturate (eg Babazene, Ber- ing into fences, circling, falling and abortion of babies by preg- diseases. There are two types of enil, Veriben). If you find that the down, chewing movements (can Ecorangers working with ERS nant animals. redwater, namely Asiatic redwa- gallbladder is too big, that does look like rabies), convulsions with and CSA undergo comprehen- ter and African redwater. Asiatic not mean that animal is having pedaling movements and if you sive training, from human health Ticks can cause various diseases redwater is the more serious dis- gall sickness but could indicate tap their forehead slightly, blink- aspects to animal handling and including: ease, although African redwater is that the animal did not eat for 2 ing will occur. Animals can be health care. Dipping and in- probably more important as it is or 3 days. If the animal has not treated with various types of Tet- noculations are just one part of Redwater (uMbhendeni) af- more widely spread. The signs are eaten for 2 or 3 days the animals racyclines. the programme to ensure animals fects cattle and is caused by the the same, although nervous signs red blood cell count is low, result- on the rangeland have the best blue tick during feeding. About 1 also occur with Asiatic redwater. ing in red urine. To treat this use Gallsickness is caused by blue chance of remaining healthy. out of 400 ticks in an area is con- The animal will present with a fe- Mbhendeni:- Berenile, tick born ticks and red legged ticks and af- taminated with the disease that ver (40 -41,5 ×C), pale to yellow gall sickness: Reverine or hited. It fects cattle. Gallsickness can also mean not every cow in the kraal eyes and gums and red-coloured is normally identified by the use be spread from one animal to an- can be infected. Calves from 0 to urine. With Asiatic redwater of Microscope. other by biting flies and by blood 9 months of age have the natural there could be nervous signs, with on instruments and needles (eg Photo above - ticks from cattle Photo below left to right - Gerbrand Nel immunity against the diseases to difficulty in walking and convul- Heartwater is caused by bont during vaccinations, injections, dips the animals at Lehlapeng, Pesh keeps act against redwater, the more it is sions which can look like heart- ticks and affects goats, sheep and dehorning and castration). Signs the dipping and innoculation records. bitten by the infected ticks the water. cattle. Sick animals will present to look out for in a sick animal CSA is undertaking similar work in the are a possible fever, pale to yel- Northern Cape with NRM veld restora- tion teams. below receiving medicine more resistant they become, When treating a sick animal, do with a fever (40C or higher), ner low eyes and gums, trouble with from CSA staff.

Photo by © T Mildenhall Photo by © T Mildenhall Photo by © T Mildenhall NEWS 15

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA WoMEN ANd hErdiNG Nolubabalo Kwayimani Through their eyes - how times have changed

Photo by © T MILDENHALL

Many years ago, all over South Africa, women herders their livestock and worked in partnership with other herd- and combing our hair was when we had to go to church. were not such an uncommon sight however that was then ers. For example some herders combined their livestock This life was simple and great and we never experienced and this is now. To a number of people, herding reflects a and moved as a group rather than travelling on their own. any inequalities within society.” certain economic class especially for women in rural areas. For many this was less lonely and some event played games Girls have certain duties and herding is rarely one of these during quiet times. When they grew up and needed to attend school they now-days. Men are required to take care of livestock and had to come up with strategies for herding and those in- make sure that all the livestock are healthy and safe . Prior CSA spoke to Nompendulo Mgwali who grew up herd- cluded taking the livestock early in the morning before to the year 2000 women performed the same duties as men ing at Idutywa and told us her own story. Nompendulo school and after school the went back to the veldt to check and they too spent most of their time in the veldt looking spent most of her days in the veld and this was normal to on the livestock . They would collect wood for the house, after livestock. During this time the challenge of livestock her. She says lunch was no problem as they spent most take it home and later on in the evening they would return theft was not as great and girls could still roam freely in the of the time playing and discovering new plants that they to the veld to bring their livestock back home. veldt in safety. To these women, being a herder did not could snack on. One of the fruits they ate for lunch was only include looking after livestock and spending hours Kay apple which is also known as Umqokolo. They hunted In Idutywa at Eastern Cape herders are still taken seri- up the mountain but herding involved interacting with small animals for food some of which include rock daissies ously but the number of women herders has decreased due various species and learning to protect and live with their ( Imbila) , Buck ( Mpuzi) , Birds and Snakes. They also to crime and societal roles being changed to more domestic livestock. spent their time collecting wood for their homestead fires. duties for women. The few women that are still herding She says “herding was normal to me and we felt equal to are those who are widows , women with no males in their Most herders began herding at a very young age of be- the village boys. families and families where their children went to the city tween 6- 8 years old and spent most of their teenage for a better education. lives up the mountain. They developed systems to care for The only time they we had to worry about dressing up 16 LocAL NEWS

DECEMBER 2014 I VUBUZELA

ERS WIN AWARD bENEfitS bEyoNd Nicky McLeod half of engineers and the District, ERS has developed an innovative The trials and tribulations of envi- approach involving village based ronmental impact assessment are Environmental Liaison Officers coNSErVAtioN extreme and it’s not just the re- (ELOs) to assist with improved – Mathabo Madingane caring for nature & her family mote and sometimes non-existent environmental awareness for af- rural roads. Many of the water fected communities, and to act supply construction schemes be- as local eyes-on-the-ground. ing monitored in the Alfred Nzo ELOs are appointed through the District involve some tricky situ- contractors in the same system ations, where contractors without as the Community Liaison Offi- requisite skills and experience cers (CLO’s) and Safety Officers, come head to head with environ- and are mentored and trained to mental and engineering person- ensure practical environmental nel who have a mandate to ensure compliance, supporting the con- ecological and technical compli- tractor to deliver effectively, and ance. As part of addressing these providing a resource for protect- frustrations when providing ECO ing the community’s natural re- (Environmental Control Officer) sources form damage during con- services to these projects, on be- struction. LIVESTOCK THEFT Are ecorangers part of the solution?

Mathabo MADINGANE a mug, with many people only For women like Mathabo this is a mother and provider to buying her brew at month end opportunity is a dream come two lovely children, 10 year when they had received their true especially since they rely on old Olwethu and 1 year old social grant money. This made the health of their grazing land Bohatile. They live in the village bringing in a steady income and river catchment for their of Motseng and with the help of incredibly difficult. survival. photo by N McLeod by photo Gogo, grandmother to Mathabo’s thieves another big challenge two children, Mathabo is now Mathabo now has no ordinary Mathabo dreamed of living a Singeugu Zukulu they encounter is that many of working in the formal sector and job. Her office is the wide open better life, where she could shop the herders are from Lesotho, its rewards are changing all of space of the rangelands in the for clothes and food every month STOCK THEFT is a major making it easier for them to take their lives in ways Mathabo had Eastern Cape and her tools of and buy furniture for her home. concern for Matatiele villagers the livestock across the border. not anticipated. the trade are hacksaws, spades The standard of living has slowly as they have lost vast quantities The Nguni people invest their and cutters. She initially thought changed for many of the villagers of livestock through the illegal money in livestock rather than Olwethu, Mathabo’s oldest this was a man’s job because working in this programme with actions of invaders. depositing their money in a bank daughter now walks tall next it involved so much physical some people using their monthly Upon speaking with community account for safekeeping. They to her school friends, happily labour, but her circumstances stipends to upgrade their homes. members about this issue most sell livestock for vital reasons showing off her first school did not allow her to be picky. people felt that they do not get like paying for schooling and uniform and loving the thought Mathabo appreciates that enough assistance from the for subsistence. Livestock plays of having lunch to eat when the It has been a few months this programme is grooming Matatiele Stock theft Unit and as a an important role in the Nguni break bell rings at noon. These since the invasive alien clearing her to be independent and has result are continually losing their culture and traditions including are just some of the benefits started, and Mathabo has inspired her to one day start her income, dignity and respect from the all important marriage Mathabo’s job now provides. noticed that no matter how own business selling traditional within their communities. negotiation of paying for a bride much they clear the baby wattle ornaments made from the wood In early May 2014, 200 sheep were with cattle - called Lobola. Before working for continues to grow, something of the trees they cutting down. stolen and traced to the borders Environmental and Rural that frustrates everyone involved of Lesotho. Community members The employment and training Solutions Mathabo struggled to in this project. The invasive alien clearing discovered this through the of local people as Ecorangers make ends meet . As a woman project is bringing about changes traditional tracking of livestock therefore brings some relief as it there were few opportunities Thankfully they recognise that to Motseng , not only to the footprints. revives the tradition of herding available to her with many jobs they they are part of the solution people who are employed by ERS as a viable and valuable career deemed to be men’s work. Being and not the problem. Through and CSA but to the entire village A local, informal association has choice for South African youth. a single mother she could not the training she received and who benefit from the restored been established to deal with this This will minimize the number stay at home and watch her the understanding she has land and a healthier uMzimbzu issue however members often put of Lesotho herders looking after children starve and feel out of gained this is proving to be an catchment. their lives in danger to protect livestock in South Africa and the place at school. To provide for opportunity she would now their stock. This has not been added benefit of having tracking her family Mathabo took to recommend to anyone – male or an easy task with some instances devices attached to livestock will brewing and selling homemade female. resulting in fatalities after fights all contribute to greater security beer. Her beers sold for five rand with armed livestock thieves. for farmers in the region. Apart from dealing with armed