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NAHOON POINT NATURE RESERVE |
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The
Nahoon Point Nature Reserve
project, implemented by SPF, is a partnership between the Buffalo City
Municipality (BCM), the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
(DEAT) DaimlerChrysler South Africa (DCSA) and the Swedish International
Cooperation and Development Agency (Sida).
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The Nature Reserve is uniquely located in the centre of East London. The
footprint found at the Reserve that scientists believe to be 120 000
years old (the oldest known humanoid footprint in the world) inspired
the shape of the DaimlerChrysler Coastal Education and Visitor Centre.
The Centre, worth about R3.7 million, was handed over to Buffalo City
Executive Mayor Zintle Peter during a ceremony on Thursday 18th
October 2007. It will focus on environmental education and visitation
for local school learners, local residents and tourists visiting the
restaurant. |
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Speaking at the handing over, DCSA's management board member responsible
for manufacturing, Joachim Follman, said he was happy that the motor
manufacturer was involved in an environmental project.
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The website was developed with funds received from the Swedish
International Cooperation & Development Agency (Sida) – see
http://www.nahoonreserve.co.za/indexoff.htm
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DEAT has invested R9-million in the project to improve the reserve.
There are some 12 kilometres of footpaths and boardwalks, annual high
profile national and international surf and wave-ski competitions take
place here, the ecological diversity ranges from marine, coastal dune
forest, estuary and inter-tidal systems. This makes it an ideal spot for
outdoor activities, environmental education and visitation. |
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The project employed 488 previously unemployed persons during its near 3
year implementation period. Alien vegetation was removed from about 340
ha from the reserve, Estuary, Nahoon River and adjoining areas. SPF
assisted BCM in removal of the water Hyacinth from the Nahoon River over
a two season period. A previously disadvantaged local school was the
first to volunteer its services to clean up the Reserve and this now
forms part of their curriculum.
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SPF assisted the Outdoor Education group, Jonginenge, during its
inception and formative periods. It now brings up to a hundred learners
from local schools through the Reserve at any one time.
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More than seven hundred applicants applied for the post of Coastal
Ranger and fifteen successful candidates received Learnerships training.
Four are now employed with BCM on the project. The majority went on to
permanent employment related to their training. The project was short
listed by the minister for best project of its type nationally and a
representative from site was sent to Cape Town to address Parliament.
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