KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
uThungulu District Municipality
Sector
Environment & Waste
The Ongoye Forest is a large remnant patch of coastal forest about 150km north of Durban. The forest lies along a ridge of hills overlooking the Indian Ocean, interspersed with patches of rolling grasslands between granite outcrops.
Ongoye Forest is an exceptionally rare and diverse habitat with large array of rare and endemic tree and plant species. It is the only place to see Green Barbet in Southern Africa and is probably the most famous example of the extremely rare mountain scarp forests.
The aim of the Ongoye Forest Ecotourism Project is to use ecotourism as a vehicle to create opportunities for the local community to be able to maximise the use of natural resources for the benefits of tourists, the local ecosystem and ultimately the local community.
uThungulu District Municipality has already committed support for the project and sees tourism development in the area as a key local economic development initiative. Significant funding has already been committed to ensure access is possible all year round through the upgrading of the road to the forest.
This project would create 2 direct job opportunities (supporting 10 people) as well as:
- At least another 5 supported opportunities for SMMEs
- Part time work for 4 people to develop trails etc.
It is anticipated 2-3 years down the line that this project would act as a catalyst to create significantly more tourism opportunities for the community. People targeted for training and involvement in the tourism activities would be focused on those that are currently reliant on the forest for extractive resources.
The objectives of the project are as follows:
- Build on the Ongoye Forest Birders Camp pilot project (completed in 2007) in order to provide economic benefits from ecotourism to a broader group and involve more community members in ecotourism activities.
- Develop a positive relationship between the UMzimela community and Ongoye Forest reserve
- Develop additional viable alternatives to extractive resource use in the forest
- Promote and market the forest’s biodiversity as a tourist attraction to a broader group than it currently harnesses.
- Provide ecotourism training, skills and mentorship to the UMzimela community
At present there are approximately 250 visitors per annum to the forest. These are primarily specialist bird watchers. We would want to grow this to a more diversified market of about 1,500 per year based on: 15 people per weekend – 780 pax with a balance of approximately 750 over the school holiday peak seasons.
With a conservative estimated expenditure of R150 per person, per day on activities, food etc, it is estimated that the Ongoye Forest Ecotourism Project could generate an income of R225,000, to be injected into the community
Cultural significance of the Ongoye forest
In the past, the Ongoye forest was protected by the Zulu Royal household because of the medicinal value of the plants found there.
During the period that the Zulus were under the rule of King Mpande, (Cetshwayo's father), Cetshwayo's kraal was at Ongoye in the hills overlooking the Empangeni and Mhlatuze areas, with a view over the Mhlatuze and out to sea.
Senzangakhona (King Shaka’s father) met Nandi (Shaka’s mother) in this area. They had regular ‘picnics’ in the forest and there is a rock in the middle of the forest which is called ‘Itshe Lamabele’ - where the couple used to meet.
For more information about the Ongoye Forest Ecotourism Project or any other environmental projects and investment opportunities, please contact the uThunglu District Municipality directly:
Name: Anushka Makka
Tel: +27 35 799 2500
Email: anushka@uthungulu.co.za
uThungulu District Municipality
