Ezemvelo honorary officer Aden shares his love of nature

Having grown up in the North Coast hamlet of Mount Moreland, Aden Pontus is keen to teach people to appreciate the natural world.

Now 26, the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife honorary officer volunteers his time at the little-known Harold Johnson nature reserve to grow the public’s love and knowledge of nature and wildlife.

Aden would like nothing more than to introduce North Coast residents to everything small and living, with a special interest in butterflies and dragonflies.

The Harold Johnson Reserve is a 113 hectare gem on the southern bank of the Tugela River and home to some 114 species of butterfly and many varieties of dragonfly.

Some wildlife one can expect to see during a visit to the reserve – the only Ezemvelo reserve within Ilembe district – include zebra, bush buck, impala, red, blue and grey duiker, banded, white-tailed and slender mongoose, as well as porcupine, bush pig and of course, vervet monkeys.

Bird lovers can also expect a marvelous display from local bird life.

The reserve is teeming with historical value, most notably Fort Pearson.

Fort Pearson is where the then British government of South Africa on December 11, 1878 presented an ultimatum to the Zulu king, Cetshwayo on the Natal bank of the Tugela River – the ultimatum was presented beneath a large Natal fig tree which is today known as the Ultimatum tree, also featured on the reserve.

“The conditions of the ultimatum included the disbandment of the Zulu army and King Cetshwayo swearing allegiance to Queen Victoria. These demands were seen as madness,” said Aden.

King Cetshwayo refused to cooperate and the British invaded Zululand a month later.

“Our reserve is unique not only because of our beautiful bio-diversity and wildlife but it also holds an important part of our country’s rich history.”

Aden has taken a special interest in the reserve, where he spends his time doing fence and snare patrols, fence repairs, and taking tourists and students on walks.

“I was fortunate enough to grow up in Mount Moreland, which is a conservancy, where I was surrounded by nature and wildlife and learned to respect it.

“I have always been passionate about doing what I can and working wherever possible to protect nature,” says Aden, who runs his own air-conditioning company by day.

“I firmly believe there is no economy without ecology. Nature and our wildlife are threatened more and more every day.”

Despite lockdown putting many environmental awareness campaigns on hold, he urges people to continue doing their part for the environment.

“Our annual beach clean-up will not be held this year. But please pick up litter wherever you are, especially on the beaches.”

Harold Johnson Nature Reserve is open to the public however, picnic sites remain off limits and no guided walks are taking place.

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