K2C Biosphere News

A project to teach environmental awareness is paying off. The Environmental Monitors project is also used to combat rhino poaching. It's a partnership between Environmental Affairs, SANPARKS, the Expanded Public Works Program and several private reserves.

Rodney Allan Sibuyi, age 51 of KuKula Traditional Health Practitioner passed away peacefully at his home at Share Village on the 2 nd of February 2018. He was later laid to rest on the 10 th   February 2018 . Rodney Joined the K2C in 2013 as an Environmental Monitor advocating for other Traditional Healers and promoting the Sustainable harvesting of Medicinal plants Rodney was known for engaging with relevant stakeholders such as Department of Health, Department of Education and the Community in promoting the sharing of Indigenous Knowledge, He travelled the world sharing his knowledge as a Healer and learning from others. He left behind a group of Traditional healers who are inspired by him to always look out for Nature and the Environment. The K2C has lost a Hero that can never be replaced a true ambassador to the Environment. “ Rodney touched the lives of many people of different age and Ethnic groups, He was not reluctant to talk about h...

This new project aims to support and embed enhanced agro ecological farming activities with irrigation schemes along the Sabie river immediately adjacent to the Kruger National Park. The project was conceptualised and championed by Dr Eddie Riddell, SANParks Resources Manager based in the Kruger National Park.   The project appointed our own Mbali Mashele as Project Manager on 1 March 2018. “ I am so excited about this project ”, Mbali said. “ We are going to ensure real benefits flow from responsible environmental and resource management. ”

Two K2C Staff members were fortunate to attend the Biodiversity Economy Indaba, convened by the National Department of Environmental Affairs, from 10-12 March 2018. “ Biodiversity is an economic sector that can contribute to radical socio-economic transformation in South Africa ,” said the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa during the key note address at this Meeting in East London. The 3 rd  BEI ended with pledges by stakeholders in the wildlife, bioprospecting/ biotrade and eco-tourism sectors to ensure greater inclusivity and transformation. The Indaba was convened under the theme: “ Entrepreneurs meet investors, for a thriving and inclusive biodiversity economy ,”  linking various stockholders and aspirant entrepreneurs in the wildlife, bioprospecting and eco-tourism sectors with investors and related markets. The ultimate objective of the Indaba was to propel discussions with an aim of growing a sector that has enormous economic potential, especially f...

Based on the success of the “Our Rhino” participatory film, the STEPS/Caretakers – K2C partnership decided to respond to the communities’ request and they filmed a new documentary “ Our Sand ”. Illegal sand mining has been reported by Environmental Monitors for the past three years as a serious threat to the environment and livelihoods of our people . “Our Sand” is telling the story of how an Environmental Monitor tracks and investigate the scale and impact of this environmental problem – but also how solutions can be found. This film will be showcased at a Community Environmental Film G athering in April in Cape Town. Community Films from all over Southern Africa will be shared. “We will then use this film in May to do Community Screenings with all our communities and Stakeholders”, Vusi Tshabalala , EM Programme Manager said.

Coert Geldenhuys, once again visited the K2C Biosphere Region in February. This visit was to work with local resource users, many of them members from the four Blyde CPAs, including the Blyde Stewardship Environmental Monitors. Coert’s objective was to teach people how to utilise indigenous woodland species sustainably and acquire the maximum use from individual trees e.g. Parinari curatellifolia (Mobolo Plum) and Terminalia sericea (silver cluster leaf).  Steps employed:  Determine what is required from the different species e.g. fire wood, 1.2m length poles for fences, and 2.5m poles for building.  Choose a stand of trees in which to work.  Determine which trees can be used for what purpose i.e. tall straight stems for the poles; and stems not yet 2.5m will be left for another year or two.  Thinning, pruning, and cutting.    Multi-stemmed plants (of desired species) are thinned out of the stand to allow for the bigger trees to...

K2C was privileged to attend the launch of the Khetha project on 23 March 2018. Khetha will work with partners to help communities living in and around the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) to better benefit from wildlife and conservation-efforts . The program will seek to better understand the drivers of wildlife trafficking within communities, and to build and strengthen relationships and trust between communities, civil society, the private sector and law enforcement. Spanning South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, the GLTFCA is an area of concern with high levels of rhino poaching and ongoing poaching threats to elephants for their ivory. Communities in the GLTFCA receive limited benefits from living next to protected areas. Among the risks they are exposed to, is the criminal syndicates that threaten social stability and security. With limited access to employment or any other means of income, along with an often conflictual re...