A group of long-standing environmental activists, conservation practitioners, and concerned citizens from Jeffreys Bay, have joined together to form the Greater Kabeljous Partnership.
Together they will advocate for the promotion of the Greater Kabeljous area as a national landmark, well-known for its rich biodiversity and proud cultural heritage. The Greater Kabeljous area comprises the Kabeljous and Papiesfontein parcels of state-owned land positioned just northeast of Jeffreys Bay, as well as the privately-owned land stretching up to the Gamtoos River.
The area contains irreplaceable biodiversity, with at least 16 plant species of special conservation concern, an endangered and protected ecosystem type known as Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld, and five bird species of special conservation concern (including the highly-endangered Black Harrier).
They will, in due course, be able to communicate precisely what this vision entails, and how they hope to make it a reality.
“The first and most important step at this stage, however, is to ensure that the land is afforded statutory protection for its long-term conservation. While we are fully focused on realising this positive vision for this land, we must acknowledge an event that threatens the sustainability of this culturally and environmentally important land.”
One year ago, on December 5, 2022, the Papiesfontein land was invaded by an individual and his entourage, who have built illegal structures and blocked public access.
“Two independent reports reveal that the illegal occupation of Papiesfontein is a serious threat to the continued presence and future breeding of the threatened birds in the area (including the black harrier), and has resulted in “direct loss of vegetation, and potential degradation of environment quality due to poor waste management and no formal sewage treatment system.” We are supportive of a soon-to-be-launched eviction application by the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements (the owner of the Papiesfontein land), to have the illegal land invaders evicted from the site. This is in addition to a High Court application by the Kouga Local Municipality to have the illegal structures demolished,” said Swanevelder.
He added that there had been attempts going back to 1999 to have portions of this land declared a nature reserve, a process that has unfortunately been delayed by complex government processes.
“We are, however, encouraged by recent developments which point to progress in this regard, including a directive by the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) to have the Kabeljous land formally declared and protected as a Nature Reserve, as well as a resolution by the MEC for Human Settlements to transfer the Papiesfontein land to DEDEAT as a step towards it being declared a nature reserve.”
The Greater Kabeljous Partnership is in discussions with various stakeholders in government, the conservation fraternity, and legitimate cultural groups, to try and accelerate these processes before the natural habitat is irrevocably destroyed. The formation of the partnership has been welcomed by Gaob Edmund Stuurman, who traces his family’s original Gamtoos Valley Kraal to the land between the Gamtoos, Loerie and Kabeljous rivers.
“The Stuurman family is pleased that this partnership has been formed to protect the cultural and environmental value of this land. We will work closely with the Greater Kabeljous
Partnership to advance a common vision for this area, and to protect and celebrate our Khoikhoi and San heritage,” said Stuurman.
The partnership will also be raising public awareness on the importance of the area’s cultural and environmental heritage, as well as its potential socio-economic benefits for Jeffreys Bay and all the people of the Eastern Cape.
Kouga executive mayor Hattingh Bornman said that the municipality has instituted an appropriate legal process to address the non-compliance of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, by the current occupants of the Papiesfontein land.
“The respondents have indicated their intention to oppose the application filed by the municipality, and the matter is ongoing. We trust that the court will make an informed decision once the matter is heard,” Bornman added.
The Greater Kabeljous Partnership comprises:
. Hennie Swanevelder, Kabeljous Reserve Action Group (KRAG)
. Wentzel Coetzer, Conservation Outcomes
. Maggie Langlands, Greater Kromme Stewardship (GKS) Association
. Ricky Stone, local environmental lawyer
. Don McGillivray, Ocean Swell Investments
. Michael Sternberg, concerned citizen
. Frank Lotter, concerned citizen
For more on the Greater Kabeljous Partnership and its vision for this land, including a detailed fact sheet, visit: www.greaterkabeljous.org
