THE KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Nature Conservation Service (NCS) Awards ceremony - held annually to recognise nature conservation efforts by individuals, organisations and rural communities - was a little different this year as two winners were announced for one of the categories.
Held at Queen Elizabeth Park in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday evening, September 12, the award ceremony was attended by the Premier of KZN, Lionel Mtshali and KZN Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Narend Singh.
Two joint winners were announced in the individual category, iNkosi Daniel Hlabisa and Professor Charles Breen.
Hlabisa, an iNkosi (chief) to the Mpembeni people who lives on the western side of the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, was recognised for having encouraged his people to engage in discussions with the conservation authorities. Subsequently, ideas for community-based tourism projects were mooted and several are now thriving.
Professor Breen has been involved in a wide range of initiatives in conservation at provincial, national and academic levels for over 30 years and has been acknowledged as having contributed significantly to wetland research in South Africa.
The Umfolozi Honourary Officer Group won the 2000 award for the Group category. The group of 33 has, amongst others, engaged in an aggressive fund-raising drive to finance anti-poaching equipment and the upgrading of the Sontuli picnic site as well assisting in the construction of buffalo holding pens.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
