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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.
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