Conservation efforts alive and well on South Coast

Conservation on the South Coast is in good hands, judging by the positive atmosphere at the second quarterly meeting of Conservancies KZN, Ugu Region branch recently.

Representatives from local conservancies, the Honorary Officers group and guest speakers from Tidy Towns Shelly Beach to Margate and Uvongo Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association were present.

Ivungu River Conservancy hosted the meeting under the theme: the role of the conservancy in its community – working with other civic bodies and community groups.

Chairman Bill Davis said the conservancy has been operating for over 30 years and recently benefitted from an infusion of new and enthusiastic members who have fundraised for and promoted the organisation.

However, members felt they were operating in isolation and that the public was unaware of the work being done by the conservancy.

This led to the committee members reaching out to sports clubs, civic bodies and organisations. Davis said their efforts are bearing fruit and that by fostering relationships with organisations like Tidy Towns, the conservancy was able to assist with environmental matters.

“There are many folks and organisations working to better the environment for our community. We all need to try and work together and help each other,” he said.

Steven Herbst from Tidy Towns gave an impassioned talk about the importance of all working together to uplift the South Coast community and environment, to attract tourists, and how vital the tourism industry was for all South Coasters.

He stressed that tourism was the coast’s main industry, adding that unemployment was a major cause of various problems in the community. He also pointed out that residents needed to ensure the South Coast was a place where their children would want to settle as adults.

He also emphasised the need for residents to work with local authorities and that they should help where they can rather than criticise.

Quentin van Breda from the Uvongo Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association, with input from the chairman, Hardus Coetzee, gave an informative talk on the progress to establish the Uvongo Urban Improvement Precinct (UUIP) for Ward 19.

He said 51% of the ward’s ratepayers would have to vote in favour of it, and the UUIP has nearly reached this target. However, the municipality would first have to declare Ward 19 a Special Rates Area before the UUIP could be established.

A Board of residents would then be elected to administer it and to decide on the levy and priorities. Money raised would be used for security, beautification of the town and improvements. Funds would be collected by the municipality with the monthly rates but would be ring-fenced for exclusive use by the UUIP.

Southbroom and Ramsgate wards boast well-established and successful UIPs.

Renee Alcock from Umtamvuna Marine Conservancy gave an inspiring talk on how she resurrected the conservancy, one of the oldest in the area.

Her later father, Jannie Storm, had been very involved in it during its heyday. Together with other interested people, she embarked on a little detective work to find out more about the conservancy’s history.

To her delight, she found out that Conservancies KZN was holding funds from the then-defunct conservancy. This enabled the small band of dedicated environmentalists to get it back on its feet. They’ve hit the ground running, already finding themselves involved in a contentious issue, but are determined to soldier on.

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