Game reserve back on track

NEGOTIATIONS to establish a game reserve in the impoverished community of Ntambanana outside Empangeni have been re-opened following the Obuka Tribal Authority’s rejection of the multi-million rand project earlier this month.
uThungulu Mayor Cllr BV Mthethwa and his Ntambanana counterpart Cllr SA Mpanza have had in-depth discussions with leader of the Obuka Tribal Authority Inkosi Biyela in the past two weeks, following media reports that the project had been stymied by the local community.
Mayor Mthethwa said these discussions had been fruitful and he was confident that the project could be resurrected, with the community’s support.
‘The Nkosi has given his full support to the project and we intend to do whatever is necessary to begin work as soon as possible,’ said Mthethwa.
He added that negotiations with the various roleplayers involved, which include the Department of Land Affairs and the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, would now be re-opened.
Municipal Manager BB Biyela spoke to the Zululand Observer earlier this month about his municipality’s disappointment when tribal leaders suddenly put a stop to the project, which would see a new community-managed game reserve established in their area.
The game reserve would ultimately link up with the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi game park, which is one of the country’s premier tourist attractions, giving the Ntambanana area a unique opportunity to become a major tourist attraction.
Income generated from the game reserve would be ploughed back into development projects for the local community.
Mthethwa said the project held the promise of significant economic spin-offs and job creation for the people of Ntambanana, whose municipality is currently one of the poorest in the country as it has no rates base.
The tribal authority’s rejection of the project earlier this month drew widespread criticism from the media and public stakeholders, with claims that a golden opportunity was being thrown away.
The surprise rejection came after more than two years of protracted negotiations between uThungulu and all parties involved finally appeared to be making headway.
Expenditure of over R800 000 had already been incurred by uThungulu during the project planning process, which included the services of expert consultants to prepare business and environmental management plans for approval by the relevant authorities.
A successful application had also been made to the European Union Gijima Project for co-funding to ensure the sustainability of the project.
However contractors who arrived in the area to begin erecting fencing in recent weeks were forced to leave by tribal leaders.
Biyela welcomed the re-opening of negotiations at a political level. He said uThungulu was confident that the project could still be resuscitated, should he receive the renewed commitment of all roleplayers in writing.