SOUTH AFRICAN MAN AND BIOSPHERE RESERVE NATIONAL COMMITTEE
NATIONAL REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MAN AND BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME
UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme ICC International Coordinating Council
27th Session, Paris, 08-12 June 2015
APRIL 2015
1. BACKGROUND 1.1 Coordination of Man and Biosphere Programme
South Africa has started participating in the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme since 1995 at the Seville Conference in Spain. The Man and Biosphere Programme in South Africa is coordinated by the South African National MAB Committee (SA MAB NATCOM), which is chaired by the Department of Environmental Affairs. The SA MAB NATCOM is financially supported by the Department of Environmental Affairs. The SA MAB NATCOM is fully operational in accordance with the Madrid Action Plan and is comprised of representatives from National, Provincial, local, Non-Profit Organisation and research institutions. SA National MAB Committee has met twice in September 2014 and March 2015. South Africa is the current member of the MAB International Coordinating Committee (ICC) and member of the African Network of Man and Biosphere (AfriMAB) Bureau as coordinator for Southern Africa sub- region.
2. SOUTH AFRICA’S BIOSPHERE RESERVES
To date, South Africa has 6 designated Biosphere Reserves and are as follows:
Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (Western Cape Province, designated1998) Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (Western Cape Province, designated 2000) Waterberg Biosphere Reserve (Limpopo Province, designated 2001) Kruger-to-Canyons (K2C) Biosphere Reserve (Limpopo Province/Mpumalanga, designated 2001) Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (Western Cape Province, designated 2007) Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (Limpopo Province, designated 2009)
Two of South Africa’s new nominations were deferred by the MAB ICC during its 26th Session in Sweden, and South Africa has since resubmitted the required information as per recommendations from the International Advisory Committee of Biosphere Reserves. These two nominations have been recommended for approval by the MAB ICC during its 27th Session in June 2015 and these new nominations are: Magaliesberg Biosphere initiative , and Gouritz Cluster Biosphere initiative
The designation of the two new Biospheres will increase the South African Biosphere Reserves to eight in addition, South Africa is also facilitating other new initiatives which are at various stages and as soon as they mature, they will also be submitted for consideration.
3. NATIONAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE AWARENESS EVENT
South Africa hosted its Inaugural National Biosphere Reserve Awareness Event from 20 to 21 February 2015. The National Biosphere Reserve Awareness Event themed “Biosphere Reserves, sustainable land use management” was launched in Garden Route Biosphere Initiative, which is one of the initiatives which South Africa is envisaging to nominate in the near future. The National Biosphere Reserve Awareness Event has been launched as an event which will be hosted annually on rotational basis among South African Biosphere Reserves to create awareness about the role of Biosphere Reserves in sustainable development and increased awareness of biosphere reserves as world class tourism destinations. To increase impetus of taking the programme serious, it is envisaged to include ministers in the next awareness events and also to attempt to include it in yearly environmental calendar within South Africa.
4. AFRICAN NETWORK OF MAB SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP
During the 3rd General Assembly of AfriMAB that took place in Accra, Ghana in September 2013, South Africa was elected to the AfriMAB Bureau as the coordinator for the Southern Africa Sub-region. In fulfilling its role as the coordinator of the Southern Africa sub-region of the AfriMAB, South Africa in collaboration with UNESCO regional Office hosted a Capacity Development and Information Sharing Session from 17 to 19 March 2015, In Kruger to Canyon Biosphere Reserve. The workshop also tackled the issues related to mining and Biosphere Reserves and sustainable financing mechanism for effective management of Biosphere Reserves with the intention to develop a framework for mainstreaming biosphere reserves and the extractive industry, framework guideline for sustainable funding mechanism for biosphere reserves in the sub-region. The workshop was attended by 49 participants from nine countries, eight of which are within the confines of the AfriMAB Southern Africa Sub-region (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe). The workshop was also attended by UNESCO regional and head office representatives, IUCN, Chairperson of AfriMAB West Africa sub-region, researchers, non-governmental organizations and local indigenous community representatives.
5. NATIONAL MAB STATEGY
South Africa is currently developing its first ever National MAB Strategy which will serve as guideline in the implementation of MAB Programme across all levels of management of biosphere reserve. The development of the strategy is envisaged for completion at the end of June 2015 and is aligned to the draft Unesco strategy which we are hoping will be adopted by the ICC. The National Strategy will include a framework for funding of BRs in the country. Meanwhile a memorandum of understanding has been signed for funding of short term interventions of priority projects by the National government. The strategy will also include the guidelines for nominations of BRs as an annexure and it is hoped that such guidelines will support nomination of new sites whilst assisting in improving the current portfolio.
6. HIGHLIGHTS OF PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATED IN BIOSPHERE RESERVES
6.1 KOGELBERG BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve has continued to demonstrate increased partnerships with different organizations. The Green Matter Mapula Awards provided a research grant for 1 Phd study to be conducted in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve over a period of 3 years. This study aims at developing a protocol for assessing the success of a Biosphere Reserve in terms of its various zones and the increasing land use intensity away from the core zone. This study is undertaken under University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve has undertaken number of awareness raising initiatives in promoting the Biosphere Reserve which include among other things, exhibitions at Cape Floral Kingdom Expo in Bredasdorp, exhibition at Cape whale Coast Spot Event. At local level quarterly newsletters are distributed. Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve has an active website www.kogelbergbiospherereserve.co.za and active in social network such as twitter and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kogelberg-Biosphere-Reserve/) which attract majority of social network users particular youth.
The World Wide Fund Table Mountain Funded project also known as Catchment to Coast Project which is a three year project started in 2014 is on-going and will be implemented until 2017. The main objective of this project is to facilitate small grant projects which contribute to local economic development through creating a sustainable model for the provision of environmental services.
6.2 CAPE WEST COAST BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The West Coast Biosphere Reserve is currently implementing the West Coast Biodiversity Corridor which is GEF funded project. The project involves establishment of a Protected Area which will ultimately link West Coast National Park to the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve. An extended Protected Area is part of an historical vision of stakeholders on the West Coast Biodiversity Corridor. In addition, Cape West Coast has recently partnered with an international organization based in USA called Eco Catalyst Foundation and the focus will be on implementing capacity building programmes in the biosphere reserve.
The West Coast Biosphere Reserve has undertaken number of awareness raising initiatives in promoting the biosphere reserve which include publishing articles on Escape Magazine, publishinh of West Coast Way Booklets and newsletters, participated on FOKUS investigative journalism program aired on national television on SABC 2. Cape West Coast has an active website www.capebiosphere.co.za and active in social network such as twitter and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/cwcbr/
The Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve has continued to demonstrate increased partnerships with different organizations. The Green Matter Mapula Awards provided a research grant for 1 Phd study to be conducted in the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve over a period of 3 year. This study should aim to determine the extent to which interaction networks among organisms associated with flowers are maintained in the disturbed areas surrounding the core reserve area, and the degree to which these networks complement the networks in the core. This study is also undertaken under University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Cape West Coast won an award for compliance in the natural heritage category at the National Lottery Indaba.
Cape West Coast has recently concluded and submitted the Ten Year Periodic Review.
6.3 WATERBERG BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The Waterberg Biosphere Reserve in partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations such as Waterberg Nature Conservancy and Waterberg Welfare Society has undertaken number of awareness raising initiatives in promoting the Biosphere Reserve which include among other things regular distribution of newsletters and participation at awareness raising events. Waterberg Biosphere Reserve has now appointed a permanent full time communication officer who will be facilitating promotion of the biosphere reserve, particularly in using local radio station to create awareness about the value of the Biosphere Reserve. Waterberg has an active website http://www.waterbergbiosphere.org/ and also active on social network such as facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Waterberg-Biosphere-Reserve/ and twitter.
The Green Matter Mapula Awards provided a research grant for 1 Phd study to be conducted in
the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve over a period of 3 years. This project aims at reducing indiscriminate persecution of carnivores by quantifying actual predation rates, and providing land owners with objective evidence of the efficacy of non-lethal anti-predation measures.
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve has partnered with Youth Advisory Services and Medupi Leadership Projects in providing skills and training to unemployed youth, this training include nature guiding, and wildlife security skills aimed at rhino anti-poaching initiatives.
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve has submitted its Ten year periodic review and currently working on the application for expansion and rezoning of the Biosphere Reserve.
6.4 KRUGER TO CANYONS BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Kruger to Canyons is currently coordinating GEF5 Small Grants Programme, The primary objective of the K2C GEF SGP under Strategic Projects (inclusive of Community Engagement) are to, through systemic and participatory approaches, expand and enhance the benefits of the protected areas network, improved conservation and biodiversity land use practices, enable economic opportunities derived from better managed natural resources. Coordinate the preparation of the K2C GEF 5 Protected Area Effectiveness programme (2015-2019) as well as Access Benefit Sharing with focus on Traditional Knowledge (in partnership with Kakula Traditional Healer Practitioners & Natural Justice).
Kruger to Canyon is currently implementing the Environmental monitor programme in partnership with provincial government, non-governmental organizations and research institutions. The main Aim of this programme is to provide additional support to host institutions in the K2C Partner Network to attain their respective mandates supportive of biodiversity conservation, contributing to improved livelihoods and resilient economic development, this programme has resulted in creation of 272 jobs.
Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve has a communication strategy in raising awareness about and inform the Kruger to Canyons constituency and community at large about the actions of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere and biosphere messaging. Furthermore, the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere aspires to create a platform for the constituency to participate and engage. Kruger to Canyons Biosphere has an interactive website www.kruger2canyons.org and also active in social media platforms such as Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/krugerTocanyonsbiopshereRegion and twitter.
The Green Matter Mapula Awards provided a research grant for 1 Phd study to be conducted in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve over a period of 3 years. This study should therefore aim to determine if the Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve can be considered to be a secure population.
Kruger to Canyons has submitted the Ten Year Periodic Review which was approved in June 2014 by the MAB ICC.
6.5 CAPE WINELANDS BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The CWBR has an active web site: www.capewinelandsbiosphere.co.za. The CWBR has a very active facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/capewinelandsbiospherereserve) and is well represented on other social media platforms. The CWBR has a regular program of giving presentation to various tertiary institutions, schools, clubs and groups as well as exhibiting at shows and exhibitions. The CWBR writes regular article which are printed in newspapers and other printed media.
The Green Matter Mapula Awards provided a research grant for 1 Phd study to be conducted in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve over a period of 3 years. This study should aim to determine which agricultural practises in the buffer and transition zones enhance or threaten the conservation of biodiversity relative to the core area of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains. This study is undertaken under University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
CWBR has increased Capacity at the sustainable living centre, doubling the capacity to over 2500 visitors. CWBR now have the funding mainly for transport to triple this numbers. Trained educators and volunteers.
CWBR has also doubled capacity in nursery for “Peoples Food Forest” project and the riparian zones can now do 60 000 trees. Regular seed collection-contract with land owners. Upgraded infrastructure-irrigation system & bagging capacity and regular and permanent incomes created- people with challenges.
As part of awareness raising campaign, CWBR has built a relationship with land owners. CWBR has also revamped website for regular new information. CWBR has formed partnership with Land care, Eco schools, Eco marties, Rastafarians and sustainability institute.
CWBR aim at increasing capacity to permanent staff, project management, business involvement in Sustainable living centre, increase career training and mentorship, increase funding, youth exchange, develop a forum and trust into effective resource providers and incorporate all maps onto google, map studio and tourism maps.
6.6 VHEMBE BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Vhembe Biosphere Reserves is currently supporting Mashau Bodwe Project by running a permaculture food garden which offers a model of sustainable community land use. This project also offers training to local communities regarding implementation of sustainable development projects.
Vhembe Biosphere Reserve partnership with Green Matter which provided a research grant for 1 Phd study to be conducted in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve over a period of 3 years. The aim of this study is to address biodiversity conservation on roads in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, as it is globally recognised in many countries that roads are a real threat to the persistence of a variety of species. This study is undertaken by University of Venda. The Vhembe Biosphere Reserve uses the electronic platform in sharing and promoting the biosphere reserve. It has an active website www.vhembebiopshere.co.za in which biosphere reserve constituency and community at large get updated information about current projects undertaken in the biosphere reserve.