Scoping tour determines projects
CREATING employment and sustainable businesses is the aim of a newly-formed iSimangaliso Wetland Park task team.
Members of the iSimangaliso Global Environment Facility 7 (GEF-7) team recently undertook a scoping exercise by visiting a number of areas within the park to determine the nature of projects to be implemented.
These projects are set to benefit communities living in and adjacent to the wetland park in various ways, including developing biodiversity economy, creating business and job opportunities, and developing communities.
During the visit, SMMEs and trust and traditional leadership were given an opportunity to share their projects or business ideas that could be implemented as part of iSimangaliso's community development within and adjacent to the park.
The team was also introduced to stakeholders and communities by the iSimangaliso SocioEconomic, Environment and Development department.
A park-wide tour saw the GEF-7 team engage with various communities to discuss projects, both new and existing.
"Among these projects, GEF-7 will also assist small businesses within these communities," said iSimangaliso media liaison officer Bheki Manzini.
"The scoping exercise was a huge success. It gave the team an idea of the type of communities they will be working with and how GEF-7 can develop these communities through biodiversity economy while benefitting them through employment and creating sustainable businesses. It culminated in the appointment of social facilitators through iSimangaliso's database of service providers."
Manzini said engagement with various stakeholders has commenced, including project beneficiaries, traditional councils and municipalities.
After the scoping exercise, the team hosted a meeting with stakeholders and small-business owners to assist them with project proposals for the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP).
The programme is open to projects that need funding of not more than R500 000.
Areas visited for potential GEF-7 projects
• kwaDapha: viewed state of homestays to be rehabilitated through GEF-7
• Madlangula Boating Concessions: viewed state of community-owned boats. Beneficiaries were trained and received boating permits through iSimangaliso
SMME programme. GEF-7 will further assist by building a passenger pick-up point
Kosi Mouth: identified potential site to build eco-friendly high-end accommodation facility
Mkhuze Game Reserve: viewed the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife-owned abattoir with a view of operating it through GEF-7 Mabasa traditional leadership: discussed implementation of Mabasa Community Conservation Area
Makhasa: viewed community conservation area