Status of the CCA project in 2015
The status and progress of the CCA project, and related objectives, can be read in detailed report compiled by Zunckel Ecological & Ecological Services which was submitted to the Wildlands Conservation Trust on the 26th of August, 2015. The extract below serves as a summary.
The KZN Biodiversity Stewardship Programme was identified as an appropriate vehicle to achieve this and in 2010 a process was initiated under the banner of this programme and in full collaboration with the two communities.
The first step in this process was the undertaking of a biodiversity assessment, the outcome of which showed that at that stage, and still today, this site holds the greatest biodiversity value in the province, and therefore qualifies for declaration as nature reserves under the auspicious of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (No. 57 of 2003). Thereafter the process to develop conservation management plans for the area was initiated. This full consultative process concluded in mid-2010 has subsequently been updated with the latest versions being completed earlier this year.
Unfortunately a series of local dynamics within the two communities caused the process to falter, i.e. the AmaNgwane were of the opinion that they would apply for their "Land Rights" from the Ingonyama Trust Board, and the AmaZizi lost their traditional leader, Nkosi Miya. While the latter is still to be finalised in terms of the new Nkosi being recognised by the Dept. of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the AmaNgwane have indicated that they wish for the process to continue with the Ingonyama Trust Board being the recognised land owner, while they retain the right to apply for "Land Rights" at any time in the future.
Towards the end of 2014 the KZN Biodiversity Stewardship Programme picked up the process again and engaged with both communities to establish that despite the period of no progress, both communities were still set on having their Community Conservation Areas declared as nature reserves under the Stewardship Programme. Towards this end the AmaNgwane have established a community trust, and a deed of trust has been drafted for the AmaZizi. As previously stated, the conservation management plans completed in 2010 have been updated and a number of meetings have been held with the communities to 'unpack' both the management plans and the requirements of a community trust.