Anglers decry iSimangaliso card decision

ZULULAND anglers and other regular visitors to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park are up in arms over the conservation authority’s decision to stop affording Rhino Card holders discounted park access.

The decision was seemingly already taken in April, and will come into effect on 1 April 2024.

“The notice was discovered at Enseleni Nature Reserve, an Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife park,” said Barry Tedder, who serves on the Zululand Shore Angling Association committee.

“As you can understand we, as an organised angling fraternity and who visit the park regularly, are up in arms, and I’m sure the public would be too if they get wind of this.”

The Rhino Card is a paid-for Ezemvelo loyalty card of sorts, which allows the cardholder to enter Ezemvelo-run parks for free.

In years gone by, the Rhino Card was accepted at all gates of entry into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, from

Cape Vidal to Kosi Bay and everywhere in between, including Mkhuze Game Reserve.

About seven or eight years ago, iSimangaliso took the decision to review this policy annually, finally bringing it to a halt altogether at this year’s annual review.

When contacted for confirmation and comment, iSimangaliso spokesperson Bheki Manzini said he is aware of the decision to no longer accept the

Rhino Card at the wetland park’s gates, confirming that this was still the plan.

“There is no decision yet taken by iSimangaliso to introduce a new programme similar to the Rhino Card once this has been phased out,” said Manzini.

He did not provide reasoning behind the wetland park’s decision.

With no discounted park access from the beginning of April, a family of four (two adults and two children under 12) can expect to fork out R252 at Bhangazi Gate when staying for one night at Cape Vidal.

A boatload of five anglers, when going fishing at Cape Vidal for the day, can expect to pay R341.

This is broken down as follows: R51/ adult, R37/child under 12, R8 per person per night, R5/person community levy, R61 per vehicle containing 1 – 5 people.

This is apart from the cost of the campsite or chalet for the overnighting guests.

Entry into Maphelane is R45 per adult and R20 per vehicle.