Biodiversity conservation of South Africa’s Wild Coast through the years: Exploring the tensions between western-style and local traditional conservation practices
- Authors: De Villiers, Deon Johan
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: Biodiversity conservation South Africa Eastern Cape , Political ecology South Africa Eastern Cape , Dwesa Nature Reserve (South Africa) , Mkambati Nature Reserve (South Africa) , Hluleka Nature Reserve (South Africa) , Environmental policy South Africa , Natural resources Co-management South Africa Eastern Cape , Land use Environmental aspects South Africa Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/190646 , vital:45013 , 10.21504/10962/190646
- Description: The Transkei Wild Coast is a unique and diverse biophysical environment stretching some 280 kilometres between the Great Kei and Mtamvuna Rivers along South Africa’s eastern coastline. Its extensive indigenous forests were recognised for their biological and economic importance by the colonial government and granted protection from the late 1800s, with forced removal of indigenous people who resided within them. The state restricted and controlled the utilisation of the forest resources, particularly by Black people, through promulgation and enforcement of legislation. Similar conservation methods were employed for protection of the Wild Coast’s soils, grasslands and marine resources, usually without any consultation with local Black leadership or communities who relied upon these resources. Previous studies have focussed on the impacts of Western-style conservation legislation and the promulgation of protected areas on local people. These have suggested that local communities have been denied access to natural resources through a fences and fines approach, often accompanied by heavy-handed, strict law enforcement measures. Very little research has been conducted to document the actual reasons for and the history of conservation efforts along the Wild Coast. The aim of this study was to explore the history of natural resource management and conservation along the Wild Coast from a Western and African perspective, and to examine the conflicts that have arisen as a result thereof. The importance of utilisation of natural resources to sustain livelihoods and the conservation methods applied to protect these resources were examined, mainly by means of a literature review and face-to-face interviews with local traditional leaders and environmental managers. The successes, challenges and conflicts that resulted from conservation efforts were examined through detailed analysis of the conservation history of three case study areas: Dwesa-Cwebe, Hluleka and Mkambati nature reserves. The study concludes that traditional leaders, foresters and conservation managers have largely been ignored during previous research on management and conservation of the Wild Coast; however, they were very eager to express their views on this subject. The interviews revealed that traditional leaders and conservationists from each case study area want to protect the Wild Coast and its natural resources, albeit for different reasons. Conservationists recognise the importance of the region’s biodiversity and the need for protected areas, particularly where there is rich endemism such as at Mkambati and Dwesa-Cwebe. Traditional leaders recognise the potential for jobs for their people where protected areas preserve the aesthetic beauty of the coast and attract tourists. For them, employment opportunities are a priority, as is access to utilisation of natural resources to sustain livelihoods. The traditional customs and culture of the people living along the Wild Coast are also seen as being of critical importance. This has not been adequately considered by past conservation planners and managers, but traditional leaders express value in conserving the amaXhosa and amaMpondo way of life. Nowhere is this more evident than in relation to grazing land for cattle. Another significant finding is that the support shown by traditional leaders for conservation of the terrestrial environment is not necessarily mirrored when it comes to protection of marine resources. The Wild Coast has a rich variety of marine flora and fauna and a high percentage of endemic species. Local people have relied upon marine resources for sustenance, but conservationists acknowledge that access to these resources has historically been restricted without consultation with traditional leaders or local communities. It is concluded that these restrictions can be linked to many land claims on protected areas on the Wild Coast since 1994. While this study suggests that both traditional leaders and conservationists want to protect the Wild Coast and its natural resources, there is still mistrust based on a history of unjust forced removals from forests, restrictions on the use of natural resources through the manifestation of colonial and apartheid power, and broken promises relating to benefit sharing from proceeds of wildlife and tourism ventures, as well as those benefits linked to land claim settlement agreements in the post-apartheid era. The study concludes that, despite past conflicts relating to conservation management, the Wild Coast’s protected areas have widespread support amongst traditional leaders. There is agreement that co-management is the preferred option but the state has to assist in curbing lawlessness that threatens over-exploitation of natural resources. It is largely acknowledged by conservationists that local people should be permitted to sustainably use certain natural resources and that there have to be increased economic benefits from tourism. Although protected area managers cannot be expected to carry the responsibility of failed tourism models and economic ventures on nature reserves, this study found that they are often the only government officials available on the ground for traditional leaders and local communities to consult with. For co-management to be successful on the protected areas, regular communication about all matters pertaining to management is considered important. While it is accepted that traditional leaders no longer have the administrative powers that they historically possessed, the study found that they are still widely respected along the Wild Coast. It is therefore concluded that regular consultation between environmental managers and traditional leaders is essential for the future conservation of the Wild Coast. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Geography, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Towards qualifications for environmental practitioners: a study of roles and competencies of entry level environmental managers
- Authors: Dingela, Mcebisi Sidwell
- Date: 2002-04
- Subjects: Environmental management South Africa , Environmental policy South Africa , Environmental education South Africa , Vocational qualifications South Africa , Educational equalization South Africa , Occupational training South Africa , Training needs South Africa , National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's thesis , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/245616 , vital:51388
- Description: The decision by the previous apartheid governments to deprive the black population of quality education and training has dealt both the people (student and workers) and the economy of this country a severe blow. That blow is demonstrated by the current lack of skills among the majority of people of this country, particularly the black workers who constitute the majority of the workforce. The post-apartheid government is making a strong attempt at redressing the past injustices in all its forms, of particular interest in this research project, the endeavours in the education and training sphere, specifically developments associated with the National Qualifications Framework. The passing into law of the South African Qualifications Act of 1995 and the formulation of the National Qualification Framework represent significant milestones towards redressing current education and training imbalances. In order to actualise the promises of these policies and laws, new qualifications will have to be developed. This research project explores training needs of environmental practitioners in three different contexts employing a combination of research methods, i.e. Case Study and a Survey. The research project sought to identify the roles and training needs of environmental management practitioners in fulfilling their job demands as well as for career advancement. The research also sought to identify through a survey training courses currently on offer in South Africa in the environmental management field. The cases revealed a range of roles and competencies required by 'entry-level' environmental managers. Of note was the observation that these roles were broader than what the traditional perspectives on environmental management might suggest, and competencies required included several social skills, in addition to various technical skills. The survey revealed a strong leaning towards technical competence among the majority of available training courses in environmental management; and that technical emphasis remained the case even among those courses that appeared to include at least one 'social' dimension. It thus seems that this emphasis on technical competence is not consistent with the job demands of the three studied environmental management practitioners. The research identified a need for an encompassing (broad) course or qualification at 'entry level' that would take into account the realities on the ground as they confront these practitioners on a daily basis. Such training will provide practitioners with the necessary competencies to function in this seemingly evolving field of environmental management. Suggestions to inform the development of an entry-level qualification or training programme are made as part of the recommendations flowing from the research findings. The suggested qualification 'framework' is based on generic areas identified among the research participants. More work is needed though in order to translate the suggestion into an accredited qualification. , Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, Education, 2002
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002-04