Dec 21 2017
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Strengthening environmental awareness @ Sibaya – Sodwana Bay

By Sodwana Bay

iSimangaliso: Strengthening environmental awareness and sustainable partnerships through sport The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority teamed up with local SMME and environmentalist Raymond Langa on 16 December for a community youth sports event at Khula Village, which borders the southern part of the World Heritage Site. The iSimangaliso and Dukuduku Sports Tournament event was hosted at the Nyamazaneni sports ground in Khula and was the finale in a round of games played in the month of November, organised by Raymond. He felt this would be an ideal vehicle to aid the message of conservation and environmental care which is so important to him. Raymond received training through one of iSimangaliso’s capacity building programmes and is an accredited Environmental Education facilitator working in the Park with dozens of school groups each year. According to Langa, “I am always frustrated by the environmental degradation activities taking place in areas of conservation significance. My area has many wetlands with an abundance of wildlife, seasonal birds and waterfowl. I have identified one area which is very significant to the entire village, but households living next to it dump all types of filthy items into it.” “To raise awareness, I approached the local school and conducted a workshop on the sustainable use of natural resources. Learners are studying Tourism in Grade 10, but they have little background of responsible tourism in their syllabus. I further invited locals to participate and promote environmental health to curb diseases as most of the litter is hazardous to both human beings and wildlife.” Following the clean-up activities, Langa was thrilled to notice that beautiful birds which had left the area started coming back to these rehabilitated wetlands. It was his drive and initiative that drove him to request a partnership with iSimangaliso in a sports event, and he opened the event with a talk on his environmental education activities, wetlands and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. An introduction on iSimangaliso was also given by the Park’s Environmental Planner, Siboniso Mbense. He engaged with the youth by first asking questions to spectators for which he offered an iSimangaliso t-shirt or cap for the correct answer. These questions included identifying major problems faced by South African parks and the detrimental human impact on nature. iSimangaliso’s Slindile Msweli, Marketing Co-ordinator in charge of the logistics and a former bursary student supported by iSimangaliso, said that “the event gave iSimangaliso a platform to interact with the neighbouring communities, strengthen relationships and create awareness. The presentations were well received by the community present. You could see in other people’s faces the excitement of being part of this event; that made it special and it showed that even though thousands were not reached instantly an impact has been made on a few in one way or another, whether it’s a t-shirt they took away, bursary information or a few answered questions about the Park- that to me is an accomplishment.” Following the event it was gratifying to receive several letters of appreciation including from TM Mdletshe of Khula, who wrote to iSimangaliso to say: “We really appreciate what you did today at Nyamazaneni stadium. It’s given us the opportunity to learn and do something in life. I have gained more than I was expecting during today’s game. You taught me the importance of iSimangaliso and why we should protect our environment as youth.” Langa, on behalf of the Dukuduku communities and participants, said: “iSimangaliso showed a strong commitment to revive sustainable partnership with locals. Please pass my gratitude and best wishes to the entire staff, and management. From an environmental conservation perspective we need more similar gatherings, in order to achieve general support from the entire communities neighbouring the prestigious World Heritage Site.”

Sep 04 2017
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Farewell to Andrew Zaloumis @ Sibaya – Sodwana Bay

By Sodwana Bay

iSimangaliso bids farewell to Andrew Zaloumis After some 20 years of outstanding leadership and a career dedicated to people-centred conservation, Andrew Zaloumis has stepped down as CEO of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. He will pursue his studies in sustainability at Cambridge University UK and continue to contribute to Southern African conservation and development. Andrew Zaloumis on the edge of Lake St Lucia, centrepiece of the iSimangaliso World Heritage Site, in the early 2000s; Walking in the Tewate wilderness on a guided trail – one of the rare places where one is at complete peace with nature. Recognised in the international and domestic arena as a visionary in his field, Andrew has received a host of global awards for the implementation of a conservation model for protected area management that puts communities at the centre of conservation strategies. Respected by his staff and people who worked with him as a leader who translated ideas into tangible life-changing benefits to the lives of the communities he served, Andrew leaves behind a living legacy that few South African’s would have had the courage and strength to pull together. He met his mandate and proceeded to do more. Not only was he instrumental in the establishment of South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, he also transformed the region from a declining tourist economy into a flourishing and growing tourism destination capable of competing with some of the finest global attractions. Zaloumis was honoured to receive the WWF Living Planet award in 2015; Receiving an ‘Ingwazi (Legend) Award’ from the Land of Legends Association, one of many awarded to Zaloumis and iSimangaliso for outstanding work during his term of service; One of the regular payments made to the Bhangazi Land Claimants through the revenue sharing process; Handing over equipment to Thandi Masuku as part of the Park’s Rural Enterprise Programme. “Under his tenure, Mr Zaloumis pioneered and institutionalised development-focused conservation at the Park,” comments the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa, and during his leadership, Government has delivered significant benefits across the iSimangaliso region, both through the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority. These include the construction of the Hluhluwe to Mozambique road, upgrades to the N2, the implementation of a malaria programme that reduced malaria incidence by 96% in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the listing of iSimangaliso on the World Heritage role and the promulgation of the World Heritage Convention Act, the consolidation of 16 parks under one banner and management system, the investment and construction of Park roads, bulk services, tourism accommodation and day-visitor facilities in the 320km long iSimangaliso. During the past 17 years iSimangaliso has embarked on an ambitious rewilding programme to reintroduce all historically existing species as well as boost current populations. Above: A rehabilitated green turtle and a rescued serval are released into the Park. In his drive to recreate the wholeness of nature and to begin the process of rewilding the Park, Andrew managed the reintroduction of historically occurring game last seen a century ago on the banks of Lake St Lucia, the removal of commercial forestry plantations from the Park, and the systematic rehabilitation of the Eastern and Western Shores sections of iSimangaliso. Well ahead of his time, however, Andrew recognised that the cornerstone of rewilding iSimangaliso involved a dimension way beyond the rehabilitation of nature. He understood that in order to recreate this wholeness, it was imperative to create a place where people and nature could reconnect and flourish. So Andrew and his management team set about to explore – and implement – every possible avenue to create opportunities for access, equity and economic empowerment of local communities. Most of the land rehabilitation work is undertaken using labour-intensive methods, creating a significant number of temporary jobs in the area, and some 8 000 permanent tourism jobs have been created. There are three community-owned tourism lodges in the Park, as well as community-owned and operated boat cruises, turtle tours, game drives, and other excursions in the Park under licence. The Higher Education Access Programme has provided 87 young people with financial and other support for their university studies. The first 50 graduates are charting a path for themselves in conservation-related fields. The Rural Enterprise Programme has mentored and supported 215 small businesses, 106 of which have been given seed capital and 3 000 odd crafters, artists, and tour guides have been trained. The work in iSimangaliso has translated into a reversal of a negative tourism trajectory. The number of establishments in the iSimangaliso region has grown some 86%. The region has outperformed other KwaZulu-Natal destinations in numbers of arrivals, both domestic and international, and average spend by tourists has increased. Last but not least, under Andrew’s inscrutable direction, iSimangaliso has achieved 15 consecutive clean audits, helped to raise millions with the establishment of the iSimangaliso Rare and Endangered Wildlife Species Fund and enlisted the financial support of the World Bank’s Global Environment Fund, for the rehabilitation of the Lake St Lucia Estuary – arguably the biggest estuary rehabilitation project in the world. Above: The opening of the Western Shores section to the public in 2012; Zaloumis participating in the Mandela Day ’67 minutes of service’ where staff removed alien trees from the Lake St Lucia Estuary. The awards given to Andrew and iSimangaliso include the SAICA 2015/16 award for Public Sector Audit Excellence, the WWF Living Planet Award, Mail and Guardian Greening the Future Award for youth leadership and job creation, the National Heritage Council Golden Shield Award for World Heritage Site of the year, and the KFW Grizmek (for people-centric conservation practices). iSimangaliso was also a finalist in the World Travel and Tourism Council Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and in 2016, Andrew was given the honour as a John P McNulty Laureate for the Rural Enterprise Programme. “He is a legend in our lifetime”, says Buyani Zwane, Chairman of the iSimangaliso Board. “Not many in our nation have demonstrated selflessness, dedication to grooming leaders, managers,…

Mar 22 2016
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And GOD will wipe the tears from every face.

By Sodwana Bay

But here on this mountain, GOD -of-the-Angel-Armies will throw a feast for all the people of the world, A feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines, a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts. And here on this mountain, GOD will banish the pall of doom hanging over all peoples, The shadow of doom darkening all nations. Yes, he’ll banish death forever. And GOD will wipe the tears from every face. He’ll remove every sign of disgrace From his people, wherever they are. Yes! GOD says so! Isaiah 25:8 MSG

Mar 14 2016
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White family massacred in Randfontein, South Africa

By Sodwana Bay

  A family of four, including a 9-year-old child, was brutally murdered between Wednesday 9 and Thursday, 10 March on a Randfontein farm in Rodora, Doornfontein, reports the Randfontein Herald, a local newspaper. According to Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson, the victims allegedly all sustained “blunt force trauma”. Ernst explained further the deceased’s family members included a 73-year-old man who allegedly was visiting South Africa after his family emigrated to the United Kingdom years back. The other victims were his son, 42, and the son’s 46-year-old fiancée as well as her 9-year-old daughter. Ernst said a family friend allegedly discovered the elderly man’s body after being asked to check on him following a concern from overseas family when he didn’t answer his phone. While police were conducting their investigation, they found his son’s fiancée in an incomplete building on the premises. They later also found the 9-year-old victim’s body in a shed. He was missing as well as the family’s Mercedes SUV. Through the help of a local security company, the vehicle was located in Greenhills. Later, an air search by the Air Wing unit flew above the farm when the elderly man’s son was found. Ernst said he was found at approximately 3pm on Friday, 11 March in a grove on the property. Randfontein station commander, Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela was on scene to convey his condolences to the family who had lost their dear loved ones. Ernst added the Randfontein Police are investigating multiple murder cases. She also calls on the community to provide any information they can regarding the murders.

Mar 10 2016
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They hurt her so bad – Franziska’s devastated dad

By Sodwana Bay

Cape Town – Two days after she was brutally murdered, Franziska Blöchliger’s heartbroken father described seeing his child’s broken body. “I just got back from the mortuary. You wouldn’t believe what I saw,” Florian Blöchliger told News24 on Wednesday. “They hurt her so bad.” Blöchliger, from Switzerland, said she was beaten so badly, it looked as if her eyes couldn’t open. Franziska, 16, was murdered on Monday afternoon while out for a run with her mother, sister and their family’s dog. Blöchliger pleaded with the media and residents in Cape Town to find those responsible for his daughter’s killing, “because they cannot do this to another child”. Commenting on reports of calls from Franziska’s iPhone to him, Blöchliger said he had heard the sound of a child or baby crying in the background, “as if its toy had been taken from it”. He confirmed that the reward offered to find the perpetrators has been increased to R100 000 from R50 000. Three people between the ages of 22 and 27 were arrested on Tuesday night and will be appearing in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Blöchliger said his wife was devastated and was on medication. The family were also receiving counselling through the police. One ray of light for the family has been the support of locals in the Kirstenhof community. Hundreds of people gathered for a silent vigil on Tuesday evening near the spot where the teenager was killed. Bouquets and messages of condolences and support were left for Franziska’s loved ones.

Mar 08 2016
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SRC at TUT digs in its heels

By Sodwana Bay

 Sthembiso Shandu has said Tshwane University of Technology’s management wrong for halting classes and vacating students from residences. On Monday, 7 March university management issued a notice to students that classes on the Shoshanguve campus were off until 6 April 2016. The document also recommended students leave their residences by 14:00 on Tuesday, 8 March 2016 for their own safety. Shandu who is the Deputy Head on the Student Representative Council (SRC), told News24’s Karabo Ngoepe the university was “stupid” to shut down the campus. He said, “So this decision is wrong. It must be reviewed today or tomorrow. It must be reviewed.” He also remarked the tertiary institution was not the Vice Chancellor’s “tuckshop” but a national asset. News24 reporter Ngoepe noticed students leaving the South Campus, wheeling bags of luggage and even a small bar fridge from the morning of Tuesday, 8 March 2016. Taxis standing outside the gate were headed for Tshwane central, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the Easter Cape. “We want lectures to be here,” he said. “We are not going to agree to a sense of saying that classes shall close simply because a white man is failing to meet us, is failing to sit in a table with us.” Ngoepe also reported fences on campus were broken on the South Campus in Shoshanguve. Watch the clip above.