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The road to a successful land reform and

biodiversity stewardship programme (BSP)

in South Africa: Case study of Mabaso

Community Protected Environment

–

Ayanda Cele

T

raditionally, “protected area” expansion in South Africa has

been restricted to state-owned land. In the process, abundant

biodiversity has been left unattended. Recently, the introduction

of the Biodiversity Stewardship Programme (BSP) has included land

outside state-owned land, such as privately owned land and communal

land regained through the land reform process. The aim of the study

was to demonstrate that land reform and biodiversity stewardship

projects can meaningfully contribute to protected area expansion and

also improve the socioeconomic status of the country if done correctly.

This study looked at a rural community (Mabaso community in northern

KwaZulu-Natal) which is part of the BSP and is regarded as one of

the leading communities in the country in terms of natural resource

management. The methods used for the study included focused

question discussions with Mabaso community members that sit in the

monthly advisory forum (AF) and general community members, as well

as veld condition assessments. The results showed that with proper

management, species composition in flat plains can easily improve and

match the benchmark of the bioresource even in rural communities.

Therefore, this paper suggests that the Department of Rural Development

and Land Reform (DRDLR) needs to provide more resources including

mentorship on each project after settlement.

Investigation of the cause of the decline

of

Jankus kraussii

(ncema grass) in a

wetland ecosystem in iSimangaliso Wetland

Park area, St Lucia, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-

Natal –

Thembeka Prudence Gama

N

cema grass is harvested and used by the communities in and

around the iSimangaliso Wetland to make mats and other items

which are sold to tourists. This provides household income and

enables families to send their children to school. Through this study,

the communities have been made aware of the importance of the

Ncema grass, not just for their economic use, but as part of a healthy

wetland ecosystem. They are aware of the health challenges that will

be faced should this grass no longer be available, since it is important

in filtering storm water excess and reducing sediment and pollutants

entering water bodies. The communities now know how they must cut

the grass and protect it, since it provides lifetime benefits for them and

their loved ones.

M U T A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E

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