Kudu Private Nature Reserve officially opens
LYDENBURG – Mr Michael Ncongwane, mayor of the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCM), unveiled a plaque at the opening of Kudu Private Nature Reserve on October26 to commemorate nature conservation in South Africa. “As a nation, we should no longer rely on national parks alone to be the guardians of our natural heritage,” stated chairman …
LYDENBURG – Mr Michael Ncongwane, mayor of the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCM), unveiled a plaque at the opening of Kudu Private Nature Reserve on October26 to commemorate nature conservation in South Africa.
“As a nation, we should no longer rely on national parks alone to be the guardians of our natural heritage,” stated chairman of the reserve, Mr Jozua Fokker, in his opening speech.
Kudu Ranch finally changed its status officially to a private nature reserve after five years of hard work by several shareholders and Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) officials.
“Kudu’s shareholders recognised many attributes worthy of conservation, namely large unfragmented vegetation communities, remnants of Lydenburg Thornveld, several endemic, rare or threatened species, breeding projects with rare species, special features like the Lydenburg waterfalls, and several sites of cultural and historical importance,” said Fokker.
According to him this wide habitat biodiversity accounts for the more than 40 species of mammal, 335 species of birds, 60 tree species, innumerable grass types, reptiles and amphibians.
He said, “There are several species on the reserve which are on the Red Data List.”
Fokker also emphasised that human pressure on biodiversity today was unprecedented. “Despite global commitments to reduce the impact of human activities on the planet’s ecosystems, the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services continues and, in some cases, is accelerating.”
This contributed to the decision of starting the process of declaring the farm as a nature reserve.
An additional, special thank you were given to Mr Peter Cooke, a board member of the reserve, Mr Brian Morris, manager of protected areas expansion MTPA, Mr Mike Briedenhann, chief operations officer of the reserve and John Larsen who started the process.
Fokker also acknowledged all shareholders who stood together, contributed and continue to contribute financially to make the conservation of this special reserve a reality.
