The Amanzi Ethu Nobuntu initiative is a multi-stakeholder citizen science project that is a presidential employment stimulus initiative led by the Department of Science and Innovation and implemented by DUCT. For phase 1 of this initiative uMngeni-uThukela Water provided co-funding for 20 envirochamps that were working at two Baynesspruit sites. The project provided employment to more than 300 young people for three months. The citizen science tools that were utilised in the project included the following:
- Water Clarity Tube;
Transparent Velocity Head Rod;
Mini-SASS;
Field Survey app.
As part of this project uMngeni-uThukela Water provided co-funding to update the State of the Rivers Report (SOR) for the Mooi-Mngeni Catchment. The SOR is an important catchment management reference and was last updated in 2002. This initiative afforded an opportunity for the uMngeni-uThukela Water catchment management graduate trainees to be seconded to the project and received capacity buisling on undertaking the situational and gap analysis, water quality sampling and Water Quality Index. The final State of Rivers Report will be available in 2022.
For phase 2 of AEN which took place during 2021/2022, uMngeni-uThukela Water in Collaboration with institute of Natural Resources (INR) supported 70 Enviro Champs and placed them under the Upper Mkhomazi initiative.
Msinsi Holdings Sustainable Land and Resource Management
Msinsi Holdings SOC Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of uMngeni-uThukela Water, is mandated to manage the land and biodiversity of the areas around the dams owned or managed by uMngeni-uThukela Water in a manner that balances the divergent factors of local community development provision of recreational facilities for the public and water resources/biodiversity protection.
These reserves are located at:
- Spring Grove Dam;
- Albert Falls Dam;
- Nagle Dam;
- Inanda Dam;
- Hazelmere Dam.
The following sites have been incorporated into the scope of Msinsi for implementing catchment management interventions associated with alien invasive plant eradication:
- Nungwane Dam;
- Imvutshani Dam;
- Mhlabatshane Dam;
- Umzinto Dam;
- EJ Smith Dam;
- Darvill Wastewater Treatment Works;
- Ixopo Dam (aquatic weeds).
Detailed management plans for each of the reserves in line with industry best practice have been completed and form the basis for all operations in the reserves. In the past year, Msinsi succeeded in protecting the habitats and ensuring an ecological sustainable and protected water environment through implementing its resource management plans which focused on:
The management of the game and species according to the carrying capacity of each reserve;
- Local community development;
- Recreation for the public;
- Grassland management;
- Pollution control within purchase areas;
- Removal of alien invasive plants (terrestrial and aquatics).
The ecological balance was managed effectively during this period through the implementation of Reserve Management Plans. In particular, carrying capacity was managed to ensure sustainability of wildlife populations and measures to mitigate poaching, which has been a significant threat to the reserve wildlife, were put in place. Security patrols are conducted as per a patrol plan to identify
and mitigate security risks to the reserves including ensuring reserve fence lines are in good condition.
Msinsi Holdings continues to be seen as a significant player in the conservation and tourism sector in KwaZulu-Natal. The state-owned company will continue to ensure that ecosystem services provided by water and environmental resources continue to be sustainable. Stakeholder engagement successfully created value for Msinsi’s operations and the communities at large during this reporting period. As a result, there was no interruption of Msinsi’s operations as a result of community instability in the neighbouring areas. Msinsi continued providing environmental education targeting surrounding communities. A total of 82 environmental education initiatives in areas of water conservation environmental awareness and commemoration of environmental special days were implemented.
Sourcing labour within the communities around Msinsi operations created job opportunities for the communities, with a total of 1058 temporary jobs created during the reporting period.
In partnership with other stakeholders, six graduates, in-service trainees and interns received training opportunities in fields ranging from Hospitality to Human Resources Management. Msinsi Holdings is planning to sustain its training programmes to continue to contribute to skills development, particularly for the youth from neighbouring communities.