K2C Biosphere News

By Naki Mmposi and Nick Theron Mariepskop, adjacent to the Blyde River Canyon, is the highest point in the K2C BR at 1944m above sea level. Mariepskop supports a large diversity of life and has some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the Region. The Blyde River Canyon as well as the surrounding escarpment of the Northern Drakensberg is a region very popular with tourists and it has a well-developed tourism industry centred around the iconic panorama route that links to the Lowveld. The mountain temperatures vary in different parts depending on the altitude and the aspect of the sun with temperatures rapidly decreasing with an increase in altitude.  Mariepskop as part of Mpumalanga Drakensberg makes significant ecosystem service contributions, which underpin human wellbeing especially in terms of water security for downstream users. For example, the Klaserie River, a tributary of the Olifants and part of the Limpopo system has its source on Mariepskop.  Historicall...

By Dimakatso Nonyane On the 4 TH  of September 2018 Kukula Traditional Health Practitioners (THP) hosted a community2Community learning exchange at the Vukuzenzele Nursery in Thulamahashe.  The Learning exchange was organized by Natural Justice and GIZ. 20 Participants from different countries such as Morocco, Senegal, Benin, Niger, Togo and Madagascar took part in this experience. The main focus of this exercise was learning about Access and Benefit sharing, Traditional Knowledge and most importantly the revised Bio cultural protocol.    Louise Swemmer, from SANParks’ Scientific Services, gives a brief presentation on the Pepper Bark Tree project  Louise Swemmer, from SANParks’ Scientific Services, gave a brief presentation on the Pepper Bark Tree project the park is currently running that engages with Traditional Healers who are residing adjacent to the Park.   The day was a great success as our guests had lots of questions around the ...

By Vusi Tshabalala Biodiversity has globally been identified as the cornerstone for economic growth and sustainable development. As one of the mega-biological diverse countries, South Africa has posed a challenge on itself to establish mechanisms in which its biodiversity can sustainably be used to contribute towards addressing the circle of the three economic ills facing South Africa i.e. unemployment, poverty and inequality. Earlier this year the Department of Environmental Affairs together with the Department of Tourism and its ministers hosted the 3 rd Biodiversity indaba at the ICC in East London. The Indaba focused on 3 biodiversity economy sectors such Eco-tourism, wildlife and bioprospecting/bio trade where these sectors have experienced noticeable growth over the years making a contribution to agricultural Growth Domestic Product (GDP) and employment statistics of the country. Following the Indaba, the President of the country Cyril Ramaphosa, together with our Mini...

By Jen Newenham On the 24 th and 25 th July the K2C hosted a Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) Assessment training workshop as part of the GEF Protected Area (PA) Programme. The workshop was facilitated by members of the Game Rangers Association of Africa: Kevin McCann, Peter Chadwick and Greg Martindale. Both days were well attended by our PA partners in the K2C landscape which included wardens, ecologists or other representatives from LEDET, MTPA, and private reserves (including communal / co-managed areas), nearby or immediately adjacent to Kruger National Park. Section Rangers from KNP, whose sections are on the western boundary of KNP and who have protected area neighbours, also attended. Plenary Session The aims of the workshop were: 1. to introduce the METT (latest SA version 3a), to those not yet familiar with it as a tool to assist protected area management; 2. Ensure all reserves completing METT assessments, do so in the same manner and with the same leve...

By Shoki Mafogo  On the 29 th -31 st August 2018, the K2C team in collaboration with STEPS coordinated a Facilitators workshop. The main objective of this training was to maximise the many ways in which our Environmental Monitors can use the sand mining documentary, OUR SAND, as a tool to raise awareness and to bring about change in our landscape where sand mining in concerned.  Screening of the documentary in Moloro   The three-day workshop consisted of a community screening where EMs got the opportunity to facilitate, using all the skills, knowledge and attitude that had been learned during the course of the workshop. A learning cycle that consists of the following elements was introduced to our EMs: Watch the film; Reflect; See the bigger picture(context) and Action plan.   The STEPS team brought along other films that focus on social issues which our EMs can use to bring attention to issues arising from their respective communities. Community engag...

By Hope Morema The K2C has attended its 5 th Hoedspruit Farmers Market under the  fRfR (from the Region, For the Region) umbrella, supported by the K2C staff. The products sold at the farmer’s market have been produced by the local SMMEs, it has been a success since the fRfR initiative has started. The local SMMEs have made good sales and are appreciate the marketing platform they get at the Farmer’s Market. This positive feedback about the  fRfR  Initiative, inspired the K2C Team to help more of the local SMMEs.  fRfR future plans  The  fRfR plan is to identify a further 8-10 local Small Business Owners/Co-Ops through the EM Network to support them with business skills and business mentorship training. Support with linkages to markets is key. The fRfR  initiative plans to partner with Nourish in enhancing a further marketing platform for the local SMME. Looking at the tourists visits statistics at Nourish, we believe that it will be a go...

By Keneilwe Mmushi “Environmental Monitors (EMs), working in the Department of Environmental Affairs’ EM Programme in the K2C BR landscape are doing a splendid job in strengthening partnerships though environmental education, research support and identifying pressing environmental issues. These contributions are getting documented.” Mr Vusi Tshabalala, K2C EM Programme Manager said.  Doing EE at Buffelshoek  Since September 2017, community-based EMs have been collecting real-time spatial data on environmental issues and social engagements that contributes to a healthy relationship between nature and the society. The data collected is then shared on a social platform (WhatsApp messenger) and recorded in a spreadsheet”. Erosion at Acornhoek  The data is used to compile reports that serves to raise awareness and a shift towards achieving a healthy environment by trying to mitigate any environmental threats. K2C is in partnership with some of the major role p...

By W. van der Merwe Contextualisation The Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region (K2C BR), as a UNESCO ratified Region in the Man and Biosphere Programme, is coordinating and facilitating the implementation of projects aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable socio-economic empowerment and improved conservation efforts.   Currently  the K2C is implementing 5 different  projects .  There are:  SANParks GEF 5 Protected Area Programme SANBI GEF Mainstreaming Project SANParks Biodiversity Social Projects DEA Environmental Monitor Programme WWF Water Stewardship Programme.  The K2C spreads across 2 provinces (Limpopo in the Norther and Mpumalanga in the South), with 8 local  municipalities, as well as a large part of the middle of Kruger National Park, falling within its boundaries.  This is a vast landscape, spanning across 2,97 million hectares, includes savannah, afro-montane and grassland biomes.  This diversity means the...

In line with the K2C BR NPC’s mandate, Partner Initiatives in support of inclusive biodiversity conservation and economic development within the K2C Landscape were invited to participate in 2018 K2C Network Day on 28 August. The Event aimed to share information about different Role Players’ contributions, facilitate networking, create a platform for new information to be shared and design as a group a way to demonstrate and be accountable for our contributions. Ultimately, the event attempted to provide strategic guidance in pursue of long-term sustainable outcomes, including the institutionalisation of practices within the landscape as aligned with UNESCO’s MaB principles .    Registration and Poster Session Informative Poster Session  183 stakeholders registered for the event.  Representatives of Municipalities, Tourism Associations, Provincial Departments, Business Chambers, Reserves and Conservation Authorities, NRM Projects, Tribal Authori...