A learning exchange 1 - 3 December 2010 at the Botshabelo Cultural Village, near Middelburg in Mpumalanga, South Africa
The churchy images notwithstanding, this get-together in Dec 2010 was about biodiversity conservation, rural development and transformational governance. It took place at the cultural village of Botshabelo, which includes this imposing late-19th century Lutheran missionary church, a good venue for sincere discussion. This three day event was hosted by the Botshabelo Community, organized by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), convened by the National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), and sponsored by the Dept of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR). The meeting was held in the church that the community inherited with their land claim, and was the venue for the presentations, deliberations and discussions of the opportunities and challenges facing all stakeholders in the process.
The meeting revolved around a triangle of interests:
1) Government agencies are keen to see delivery in the realm of land claim resolution, as well as issues of development and land reform;
2) The biodiversity sector, led by SANBI, but also including conservation and toursims agencies, are interested in the longer term management of the environment and natural renewable resources; and
3) Community land claim beneficiaries, who for the most part are ill equipped, inexperienced and under supported in their endeavours to make their reclaimed land sustainably viable.
This learning exchange, the third of its kind over three years, provided an opportunity for the core groups to articulate, discuss and understand the overall set of problems faced collectively. The spirit was good, the information candidly shared, and the hope for productive collaboration to take shape as a result of the endeavours.
GD 22 Dec 2010
Photos below::
1. Lubablo views an erosion gully on Botshabelo community land. Working for Wetlands will be doing some restoration work there.
2. Lerato Noko view some of the game: antelope, warthog, zebra
3. Delegates stroll through the cultural village4. Traditional leaders who attended the workshop take time out in the cultural village
5. Cultural resting spot
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