New model to boost conservation
Somkhanda Reserve looks to the future
WILDTRUST and Emvokweni Community Trust (ECT) have joined forces to establish Somkhanda Community Conservation Centre with a vision to provide a vibrant learning, capacity-building and ecotourism space that will underwrite the viability of Somkhanda Game Reserve for its future generations.
This, they say, will ensure the empowerment and upliftment of the Gumbi people.
Somkhanda Game Reserve in Kwazulu-Natal covers more than 12 000 hectares of land, and is a community reserve owned by the ECT and co-managed with Wildlands, a programme of the Wildtrust.
Since its establishment in 2005, it has achieved various milestones, and has, in the process, earned its status of being a “Big Five” reserve.
More than 80 community members are employed full-time, and this number is set to increase with the new developments in the pipeline.
“Somkhanda is an example of what can be achieved in rural land reform and transformation in South Africa. The project is led by a visionary leadership who wants to make a contribution to conservation, and at the same time create wealth for the community.
“We are extremely fortunate and honoured to be associated with this success story and excited to see it develop over the next 10 years,” said Wildlands executive director, Dr Roelie Kloppers.
ECT member Nathi Gumbi said: “We are all excited and hopeful that these new developments will take us forward and bring a better life for our community and produce future managers for Somkhanda tourism.
“We have no doubt that the Wildlands mentorship and management, as we have had it over the past 15 years, will yield positive results for our community.”
Wildlands wildlife economy deputy director Dave Moldenhauer said the development would promote growth, which would see the Gumbi community gain increased access to the reserve, as well as open more ecotourism and education opportunities.
“Following the recent signing of a new 10-year agreement with the ECT, we’re positive that all the important conservation work that has already been achieved on the reserve will continue, cementing it firmly as a signature Wildtrust biodiversity economy project,” said Moldenhauer.
Somkhanda will continue to offer practical and theoretical learning across a wide range of conservation management and ecological research modules.
It will host group tours for academic field trips and youth development, as well as volunteer and internship opportunities.
“Through the various training modules we will provide, we will seek to address a shift in values, thinking and knowledge that is crucial in making the changes sustainable in the long term.
“We believe that this will provide Somkhanda the capacity it requires to lead them into a sustainable future,” said Manqoba Sabela, Wildtrust deputy director for training.