Inkosi Xolo named KZN Nature Conservation Board chair

Inkosi Mxolisi Xolo of the KwaXolo Tribal Authority in Gcilima was recently named the chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board Committee on Operations and Community Affairs.

In a stakeholder meeting on Friday last week, the board chairperson, Lydia Johnson expressed her appreciation to Inkosi Xolo for agreeing to be a member of the KZN Nature Conservation Board.

Johnson said Inkosi Xolo was appointed according to the KwaZulu Natal Nature Conservation Management Act 9 of 1997, adding that he was nominated by the House of Traditional Leaders.

“The Act requires that the Board must have at least one Traditional Leader. I trust that iNkosi Xolo will help us understand issues facing our Traditional Leaders and also lead us as we develop solutions to resolve such issues,” said Johnson.

The stakeholder meeting last week with Amakhosi and Izinduna was held near the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. The purpose was to discuss possible approaches to help prevent or reduce human-wildlife conflict.

During the meeting, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife acting CEO, Sihle Mkhize revealed that there have been 22 lion breakouts recently reported around Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, adding that the lion escapes have led to 12 lions being destroyed and the figure includes one lion that was killed by the community near eMakhosini asoPhathe.Mkhize added that communities near the park have also reported 57 lion sightings.

“It is important to note that one lion could have been reported more than once. There were 22 community protests emanating from these lion escapes,” said Mkhize.

The newly elected board chairperson on operation and community affairs, Inkosi Xolo appealed with Izinduna to help Ezemvelo in dealing with the removal of the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park fence by some of their subjects.

“We have noted on several occasions where the fence was cut by local people. At times Izinduna were called and witnessed that the fence had been cut but nobody was held accountable. For the HiP fence to remain intact, I appeal to all Izinduna to deal with the few disruptive individuals who cut the fence,” said Xolo.

He added that some of the resolutions that were taken during the meeting included Ezemvelo adding a fence cable when they repair the HiP fence.

Xolo said any new plans or initiatives affecting the adjacent communities must be discussed with the local traditional leadership before they are implemented.

He said local traditional leadership must exercise their powers by disciplining their subjects who destroy the HiP fence.

“Ezemvelo to reinstate various social initiatives such as soccer/netball tournaments, Indlamu, etc. The stakeholders further committed themselves to facilitate quarterly meetings. An appeal was further made to Izinduna to avoid giving land to people within or closer to the buffer zone,” he said.

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