NOSIPHO Ndzimbomvu, is passionate about the environment, which is why she is the conservation officer at the Palmiet Nature Reserve.
She was appointed as the conservation officer of Palmiet Nature Reserve on 1 August 2012, and also manages the Roosefontein Nature Reserve and the Westville Trail.
Her duties include the management of the three facilities, its biodiversity and the planning of activities at these premises. Nosipho monitors tourists who visit the reserves and also research students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, who study plants and animals at the reserves.
Nosipho studied and has a degree in nature conservation from the Mangosutho University of Technology and is currently studying towards her masters in environmental management at the University of the Free State.
“It has always been my goal to study nature from my school days. I was drawn to the aspect of conservation and knew this was the path I wanted to take,” said Nosipho.
She said the Palmiet Nature Reserve is a partnership between the eThekwini Municipality and the residents here in Westville. It was founded by the Palmiet Management Committee, which acts as an advisory board and assists in upgrading the infrastructure and contributing in the environmental sector of education in the nature reserve.
She said the staff component comprises of four field rangers, two of whom work at the Palmiet Nature Reserve and the other two look after the Roosfontein Nature Reserve and the Westville Trail. The other staff component comprises of general assistants who are based on the field controlling alien invasive plants, bush encroachments, fires and veld management.
The Palmiet Nature Reserve also has an archaeology site which was discovered many years ago, which the Palmiet Management Committee are planning to upgrade to conduct educational tours, in partnership with the Bergtheil Museum in Westville.
“There’s also a lot of biodiversity especially bird species (large population of 232 bird species), so it’s a good place for bird watching, and there’s also a diversity of tree species. We also have a chameleon grassland, beautiful snakes, nature trails of up to 15kms and a tranquil river,” said Nosipho.
She added that it is an ideal place for an afternoon stroll or weekend picnic. The Palmiet Nature Reserve is open daily from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Sunday. Contact the nature reserve on 031 266 8015.
