Hope blooms for rural communities
The project is a community empowerment programme, designed to facilitate local independence and self-determination.
The Green Net recently launched the Ubuhle Bomhlaba project in St Faiths, some 50km inland of Port Shepstone, along the magnificent Mzimkhulu River.
This project is being undertaken by non-profit company, The Green Net (TGN), in partnership with Enhlanhleni Development, a registered NPO in St Faiths.
The launch event was well supported by local residents, as well as representatives from Umzumbe Local Municipality, Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and community groups.
Ubuhle Bohmlaba means ‘the beauty of nature’, and the project is designed to help local residents clean up their environment, improve food security and open doors to various sustainable livelihoods, including community-based ecotourism.
Founder of TGN, Helen Dodge, said this is not a job creation scheme but is a community empowerment programme designed to facilitate local independence and self-determination.
“Our core contribution is to provide knowledge about problems and possibilities and to help provide the practical skills and know-how for residents to grow their own food (organic, of course), save water, create homestays and guided tours, and link into existing tourism in the region.
She said they have been engaging with community groups across the St Faiths area (which constitutes four municipal wards) and have found many opportunities to link residents with similar skills and resources; for example, we are linking fashion designers with beadworkers, artists and dance groups to encourage fruitful collaborations.
Dodge explained that they are finding ways to turn problems into opportunities, for example, identifying the potential of removing invasive eucalyptus (gum) trees from waterways and grasslands.
“These trees were planted some 24 years ago and have since invaded the area, effectively sucking dry the local streams. Rehabilitating the streams and catchments will restore natural water flows and improve biodiversity while also providing great opportunities for residents to set up carpentry and other woodworking businesses,” she said.
Ubuhle Bomhlaba is a massive and daunting project, but one with phenomenal potential to restore and protect the natural beauty of the St Faiths area while improving residents’ basic security and allowing them to create truly sustainable economic opportunities at home. It also provides a template and example for other rural communities who find themselves living in paradise but vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and economic uncertainty.
If you are able to contribute in any way to the project, contact Dodge on 084 9872018.
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