Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

MANAGING BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is the provincial agency mandated to carry out biodiversity conservation and associated activities in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal in the Republic of South Africa.

In a recent interview with the CEO Dr Bandile Mkhize for the KZN Top Business Portfolio, he was asked to clarify his goals for the organisation's future. Dr Mkhize's straight forward response revealed that he has great aspirations for the future. He said, "I want Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife to be the best agency in the world. In order to achieve this we need to do the right things right."

However, there are many challenges to fulfilling this goal. Not in the least is the problem of staff management. There are a large number of employees spreadover in excess of one hundred nature conservation areas. These stretch from Umtumvuma in the south up the north coast to the Mozambique/Swaziland border, and inland to the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park and the Free State border.

In order to respond to this challenge, Ezemvelo plans to be the employer of choice. Of importance is the need to capacitate staff with skills so that they can carry out their jobs more effectively. One of Dr Mkhize's current objectives is to improve the living conditions of staff which are at present substandard at many of the visitors' facilities. He firmly believes that, "Happy staff go a long way to ensuring that the stay of guests is enjoyable." Another concern is that of the whole issue of biodiversity which has many stakeholders. Some stakeholders are self serving, putting their particular project before the greater good or even refusing to understand the interrelationships that are part of an ecosystem.

A major challenge is the need for conservation to be accepted by communities neighbouring conservation areas. For many people in the underdeveloped rural areas, conservation areas are seen as pockets of affluence which are in stark contrast to their own often impoverished reality. Problems with a lack of electricity, limited access to water as well few income generating opportunities abound. There are also conflicts between communities and the goals of conservation in preserving wildlife. In response to these issues Ezemvelo Wildlife has broadened its focus to become more relevant to communities. As stated Dr Mkhize, "It is not about us and them but making communities more aware of the issues surrounding conservation."

In order to foster better relationships Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife employs community conservation officers who work in communities on a daily basis.Dr Mkhize commented, "It is vital that communities understand what we are doing and such interaction goes a long way to achieving our goals."

Dr Mkhize said further, "It is of importance is to understand that conservation benefits all and that conservation in South Africa is everyone's business". This also has great relevance to business operations operating near conservation areas as water pollution and other similar ecological problems can have a detrimental effect on the sustainability of the area and its natural resources.

Indeed making sure that Ezemvelo's many assets are protected is of vital importance to its long term sustainability. Ecotourism provides funds through which Ezemvelo manages its various projects and conservation areas. Without visitors, Ezemvelo would not have sufficient funds to be sustainable. Currently the organisationis striving to becomemore self-sufficient in order that it becomes less dependent on financial assistance from government.
Dr Mkhize has set his target high; he would like Ezemvelo to be 70% independent of funding rather than falter at the current 30%. He believes, "Without setting such a target only small amounts of improvement will be made. I believe that youmust domore to achieve your goals. You must set your targets high".

In order to achieve this goal extensive improvements and vital renovations will be made to the various facilities. He added, "We have to do things differently. It is important that the reserves are run like businesses so that they can generate maximum revenue".

A 10 % tourism levy is currently collected which goes to the local community who tells Ezemvelo how they want to spend the money. In the Giants Castle region a laundry has been established and the washing from the Giants Castle reserve is undertaken there. At Tendele, near the Royal Natal National Park, a bakery is currently under construction. Another community has purchased a R1 million tipper truck and established a transport business. These projects are important as the communities feel the direct economic benefits of visitors to the conservation areas.

Rhino poaching is currently a huge problem for Ezemvelo and a number of strategies are underway to curb it. Recently a meeting was held with Amakhosi (local chiefs) who live close to Umfolozi Game Reserve in order to obtain support for the anti-rhino poaching campaign. Clearly the earlier work in establishing rapport with the communities is paying off. The Amakhosi have volunteered people to be trained as voluntary conservation officers. This community support is critical, not just in rhino poaching, but in all forms of poaching.

This cooperation emphasizes the importance of establishing partnerships with communities as Ezemvelo cannot fight the problem of poaching in isolation. The role of the private sector is also important and Ezemvelo actively seeks partnerships to effectively manage biodiversity conservation in the province.

In addition the game rangers need to be trained better and also need to be provided with more effective equipment to counter the sophistication of the poachers.

However, recent successes in the anti poaching campaign have seen a number of guilty parties convicted for rhino poaching along with two employees who were dismissed and fined R1500 each or two years in prison after been found in possession of a rhino horn.

A number of education programmes are underway. Through an agreement with Springbok Atlas, a programme called Conservation on Wheels busses school children andmembers of the communities into conservation areas. The project aims to create better awareness of conservation and its importance to their lives and communities.

Another Ezemvelo programme is Play for Nature,which as Dr Mkhize states, "preaches the gospel of conservation through sport." The 2010 football and netball competitions were very successful in achieving Ezemvelo's objectives, the finals were attended by 10 000 people. The organisation intends to expand the programme if further funding is available. "In essence people are taught that they should appreciate the conservation areas they live around.We reach them by doing something good for them."

It is clear that Dr Mkhize is making giant strides in not only making communities aware of how precious our protected areas are but in making sure that Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife remains a world leader in conservation.