Shongweni Dam: Open for business
Even in its infancy, the rejuvenation project at Shongweni Dam has already created numerous positive changes.
ON little more than a shoestring budget, the Shongweni Dam’s rejuvenation project is well underway with its list of plans to preserve and grow a sustainable user base.
The head of the Conservation Guardians, Greg Vogt, said there has still been no funding received from the government.
“This hasn’t stopped the guys from getting going,” he said.
“We have a buy in from all the staff to get this going and the processes in place are now all working marvelously.”
Due to the dilapidated or non-existent infrastructure that was left behind, the grounds would not break even if the same plans as the previous operating company were followed.
To ensure sustainability across the 1 700 hectare reserve, the group has opted to target interest groups to help uplift the community and the dam.
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The target markets include the birding association, the mountain club association and a fishing association that operates solely on a catch and release basis.
“We need to generate skills and opportunities for members of the three communities that surround the dam,” said Greg.
Through the interest groups and pooled knowledge, the people surrounding the dam will become empowered.
Instead of subsistence fishing, members of the communities will be involved in aqua culture and farm tilapia. This project has short, medium and long-term plans.
“We want to create food security for subsistence fishermen. The objective is to get all of those fishermen to form a cooperative, teach them the basics and instead of having them fishing from the dam, we will teach them how to farm fish instead,” said Greg.
They also plan to train birding guides, encourage adventure tourism training and empower the locals by having them become accredited in the field.
Through the canoe club they hope to introduce boat-building and repairs, introduce a youth programme teaching children how to swim and paddle and offer homework classes after school.
There is also the Shongweni Trail that includes walking alongside the giraffe on the reserve. Trails could reach up to 10km and each is tailor-made to the group walking it.
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