Margate, your conservancy needs you

Driven by a mere handful of members, Margate’s Kongweni Conservancy is a small conservation entity with huge potential.

However, it has recently been dealt two devastating blows, and urgently needs the help of environmentally-minded Margate residents.

It was founded by the late Mick Critchlow in 2014. He realised that Margate residents needed to take better care of their attractive but degraded Kongweni River.

The Kongweni River’s source is near Margate Airport and the Solomon Dundikazi Nature Reserve, and it is fed by a network of tributaries and wetlands in that area. From there, the Kongweni winds its way through the town and ends its journey as the estuary at Margate Beach.

Under Critchlow’s leadership, the conservancy worked closely with what was then Hibiscus Municipality.

The municipality provided funding that enabled the conservancy to deal with the severe invasive alien plant infestation on both river banks that threatened to choke the river. A beautiful little trail was constructed alongside the river, and this has proved a popular Margate attraction.

After Critchlow died, dedicated and knowledgeable environmentalist Gary Holburn took over as chairperson and served as the guardian of the river for many years.

As well as keeping an eye on the Kongweni’s banks and trails, he carefully monitored its water quality, regularly taking samples from various sections of the river. By doing this he was able to red-flag any pollution and to pinpoint its likely source.

He also took care of financial matters and regularly untangled the red tape that running a conservancy entails. It was thus a huge blow to members when Holburn, who had led from the front for so many years, died suddenly last year. He was deeply mourned and is still sorely missed – and for a while, members felt that the conservancy was left without a rudder.

To add to the conservancy’s woes, last year’s devastating floods have resulted in severe damage to the trails and there is an urgent need for them to be repaired.

Although membership is small, the members have rallied and are determined to keep alive the huge legacy left by their two former chairmen. Wildlife and Environmental Association of South Africa (Wessa) representative, Paddy Norman, has taken over the chair on a temporary basis and he and the rest of the committee have embarked on a robust public awareness drive.

As a start, they invite all Margate residents, business people and civic organisations to an information evening at The Village Tavern on Tuesday, February 11, at 17:00. This is an important gathering and the conservancy appeals to their town for support. All are welcome.

According to Norman, the river has huge potential both as a tourist attraction and a valuable green urban space for South Coast nature lovers. One of the banks is forested but fairly degraded by urban development. However, the other side of the river is almost pristine grassland and is an important natural habitat.

Going ahead, the first task would be to repair the flood damage, a daunting, but far from impossible project, Norman pointed out. The river’s estuary was an attractive area and was great for birding, but was rather degraded and the lagoon was subject to frequent sewage spills that render it toxic and smelly, he said.

If it were cleaned up and the sewage problems solved, it could be a lovely eco-tourism attraction, particularly if equipped with some tourist infrastructure like a bird hide and benches.

Ultimately, though, Norman hopes the Kongweni Conservancy would gain enough public support to extend its mandate to include looking after the environmental affairs of the whole of Margate and to take over the Solomon Dundikazi Reserve as part of the conservancy.

He appealed to all Margate residents and civic organisations to support their conservancy.

KONGWENI CONSERVANCY

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