Access to Adam’s Calendar contested over by pilgrims and role players

Tempers flared this past weekend when a spiritual pilgrimage was held at Adam’s Calendar.

This, despite an interdict obtained by the the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment (DFFE) against the Great Empire of Kemet Bonabakhulu’s celebration of the African New Year, on September 23, at the site.

Adam’s Calendar, also known as ‘Inzalo Yelanga’, is located within the Blue Swallow Reserve in Kaapsehoop and was declared as a natural heritage site by government.

Due to its status, strict rules were implemented to protect the area. These include access control – only 35 people at a time can visit the site, camping and overnight stays are forbidden and no fires may be started. No vehicles are permitted to park near Adam’s Calendar and to visit the site, a permit must be obtained.

Despite the interdict, the group ignored the court order and flocked to the site. A tent town was erected and cooking fires as well as a huge bonfire were started.

On Friday, September 22 a war of words erupted between the organiser and leader of the empire, Mkhulu Ndingiza, the staff of the DFFE, and the Public Order Police.

After emotionally loaded negotiations, the DFFE, despite the interdict in their favour, issued a permit on condition that the group adhere to all the entry rules on it.

As soon as the police and DFFE left the site, the people flocked to Adam’s Calendar. Some used a back entrance to drive their vehicles right onto the site. It is estimated that 500 people attended the ceremony and about 100 cars entered the area illegally and were parked near the site.

Ndingiza told Lowvelder they ignored the interdict and permit regulations because the “site belongs to us and all Africans.”

“This is a scam of the government, because it only declared it as a natural heritage site, and not a cultural and spiritual site. Government ignored black people’s heritage and cultural needs and beliefs.”

In a earlier statement by Ndingiza, he blamed white people for the whole matter, “because a white judge granted the interdict, and a white person decided to call the site ‘Adam’s Calendar.'”

He said they would be back next year with hundreds more people attending. “Our aim for the future is to have a million people there.”

When asked about the damages to the sensitive natural environment, he denied that any damaged was caused. “We as blacks are living in and with nature. We are one. Why should we cause damage? When we left, we cleaned the site.”

Refuse bags in which rubbish was collected were later discovered by forestry workers at a timber load site near Kaapsehoop, where they had been dumped.

The Kaapsehoop Heritage Association responds
The Kaapsehoop Heritage Association (KHHA) said it is alarmed that many vehicles were allowed to enter the Blue Swallow Nature Reserve during the recent pilgrimage.

The village of Kaapsehoop is surrounded by four forest nature reserves, the nearest being the Blue Swallow.

“The fortunes of Kaapsehoop are intertwined with the surrounding conservation areas,” the KHHA said in a statement. “The KHHA therefore works closely with Komatiland Forests and the DFFE to ensure these nature reserves are well managed.”

The KHHA said it supports any tourism and outdoor activities that are conducted in compliance with the rules and regulations governing the access to the nature reserves. “These rules should apply fairly and equally to all visitors to the area.”

The association said it is also alarmed that overnight camping was permitted, which is not in accordance with the rules of access to the Blue Swallow Nature Reserve.

The KLCBT prior to the event
The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism’s COO, Linda Grimbeek, sent a letter to the custodians of the site, the DFFE, on September 13 on behalf of the residents and business owners of Kaapsehoop, objecting to the pilgrimage.

“As a region we are ecstatic about the emergence of unique tourism products such as spiritual tours/pilgrimages, as they add to the variety of the rich cultural experiences we have,” said Grimbeek in her letter.

“That being said, any type of tourism has to be sustainable, especially relating to the environment, the host community and the economy.” She said the planned event would not leave a minimal impact on the site.

She said the area hosts numerous range- and biome-restricted species of birds and a variety of aquatic life, as it contains a wetland.

She said current access to the nature reserve is restricted to 35 people per day who can only enter on foot so as not to leave an impact on the environment.

Camping/sleeping over at the site is prohibited.

She stated in the letter that the organisers did not have permission for the event from the department.

DFFE responds
The DFFE said it will do an urgent assessment of the contravention of an entrance permit guidelines by a spiritual group to gain entry to Adam’s Calendar.

This is according to Peter Mbelengwa, the spokesperson for the DFFE.

“The court order, which was granted to us stopping the group from entry, stipulated that they cannot enter the site without a legal entry permit. That was why, despite the court order in our favour, we issued the group with a permit during the negotiations on Friday. We stipulated that they must adhere to the conditions for entry. These rules include that no more than 35 people may visit the site at one time, no camping or overnighting, no fires and no vehicles allowed on the site,” Mbelengwa said.

He indicated the fact that the group ignored the interdict and permit is of concern to the DFFE.

“That is why we will investigate the matter to establish to what extent damage was caused. This will then determine what cause of action will be taken.”