Shongweni Dam ushers in an era of empowerment
To ensure these projects are a success, the Shongweni Dam team needs your help by supporting its outdoor activities.
WITH the full effects of the nationwide lockdown being felt by many, the bright minds from the team at Shongweni Dam have begun implementing numerous projects to not only generate an income stream but also help empower the neighbouring communities in need.
The projects, headed up by the Conservation Guardians, are an attempt to also reduce subsistence use on the 1 700 hectare property by offering the community a renewable and sustainable alternative.
“The community has a need and they are coming to the reserve to take some sort of subsistence resource, one is wood, protein and the other is grazing and indigenous plants. Each one of the resources removed impacts on the biodiversity and takes away the unique selling point at an eco tourism level. What we have to do is offer an alternative resource,” said Greg Vogt of the Conservation Guardians.
The hardworking and determined team have begun collecting bakkie loads of water hyacinth from the dam each day. The invasive plant is then dried out, burnt and transformed into a useful briquette.
“What we want to work towards is produce the right sized briquette that can burn in a household for at least 30 minutes. An average sized briquette we have made lasts about 20 minutes and will now be entering the second phase to create one that lasts up to the recommended time,” said Vogt.
He noted that, despite the amount removed from the dam each day, as well as the spraying taking place, the water hyacinth numbers would not deplete.
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“Because we have no funding, we have had to work hard and work quickly. Everything here that can be reused or repurposed will be,” he said.
The larger goal is to be able to sell the briquettes to retailers and then donate briquettes to the local community in an attempt to help reduce the number of trees that are chopped down for wood on the reserve.
Another incredible stride the Conservation Guardians are working towards is to teach the locals to grow their own fish through its aquaculture project. Food, as it became glaringly evident during lockdown level 5 last year, was not an easily accessible commodity for many families in the neighbouring communities. The trust, during this trying time, donated large amounts of food to families in need that were identified by its staff members. The’ Friends of Shongweni Dam and Nature Reserve, donated generously towards our food parcel initiative and ‘sponsor a family’ project. These items were distributed by the staff who identified these families in need.
Another problem faced by the reserve was livestock grazing. It was highlighted the cattle would create massive corrosion paths and open up and destroy entire ecosystems. “They bring in invasive species and they compete for grazing with our own wildlife,” said Vogt.
The option they have found was to once again use the water hyacinth as a base product in livestock feed. They will also be looking at creating an indigenous nursery and grow the jugo bean, a superior legume that is packed with protein, fibre, vitamins and iron.
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“The team we have now is incredible. We have been through our nightmare, but where we are now is just so great. They have developed into something quite unique,” said a proud Vogt. “When you come to spend R200 on an abseil, you want to come to a place that represents the integrity of what it is. You want to come to a nature reserve that supports its biodiversity.”
To help support its projects, the non-profit organisation invited Highway residents to visit its website www.shongwenidamreserve.africa/ and pre-book a spot for one of its outdoor activities, such as abseiling, rock climbing, the wild walk, kayaking or The Journey, a mix of all of the adventure options. Alternatively, a donation can be made.
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