Chords and crocodiles

HIP entrance fee increase suspended

After recently announcing the doubling of entrance fees for visitors into Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park (HIP), KZN Wildlife yesterday announced the suspension thereof.

Had KZN Wildlife pressed ahead with entrance fee increases, South African tourists would have had to pay R150 at the gate and international visitors R300 from 20 September 2013. The reason for such increases being an increase in labour and associated costs. KZN Wildlife explained in a statement that, as a state-funded organisation, it is "expected to supplement its subsidy through commercial operations. Admissions revenue is one such source of additional funds that make it possible for Ezemvelo to carry out its mandate." 

While no statement has been issued on when in the future such increases will take place, it is was made public earlier this year that KZN Wildlife may well see it's central government funding dramatically decrease. One fears, therefore, that such price increases are imminent.

Mtubatuba Municipality dirtiest in district

File photo: overturned bins at Cape Vidal's fish gutting table

Having been labelled Mkhanyakude District's dirtiest municipality for some time now, Mtubatuba is taking steps to clean up its act.

Keen to achieve its end goal of becoming known as one of the cleanest municipalities in the district, Mtubatuba held a 'Mtuba clean town summit' at Umfolozi's Protea Hotel on Thursday, 5 September. According to Environmental Affairs and Agriculture representative KP Mathenjwa, the current state of the town does nothing for tourism in the region which is home to South Africa's first World Heritage Site.

As a first step in its journey to cleanliness, Mtubatuba Municipality recently established a waste management unit which will oversee effective waste disposal. One of the biggest problems facing the municipality and its clean-up drive is illegal dumping and, unfortunately, both of the municipality's waste disposal sites, St Lucia and Northdale, are illegal dumping sites. The St Lucia site will soon be closed down. This leaves the Municipality in a quandry.

St Lucia News has, on more than one occasion, raised the question of burning at the St Lucia dumping site as well as establishing an effective recycling scheme. Unfortunately, however, these questions have continuously gone unanswered by authorities involved. The hope now is that the Mtubatuba Municipality will indeed receive adequate funding in order to clean up Mtubatuba town, establish legal dumping sites at suitable locations and implement an effective recycling scheme across the municipality. St Lucia News will not give up hope that oneday this World Heritage Site will have the same waste disposal and recycling tools that every suburb in the country enjoys.

St. Lucians... It is time to get fit!

Last week saw the opening of Rich's Fitness & Spinning Studio, located just North of Fur Elize on McKenzie Street. On one side of the gym is a Coffee & Juice Bar, where healthy (and not entirely healthy) drinks and snacks are available, ranging from smoothies, protein shakes and the likes, to croissants, Illy's coffee and milkshakes. The gym itself is a professional looking venue, with big mirrors, punching bags, a series of spinning bikes, pull up bars and weighted bags and balls. Interestingly, mainstream gym equipment and large numbers of dumbbells are missing.

The owner, Richard, explains why: "We are not here to pump iron. If you can press 200 kg, how is that gonna help you in daily life? What we hope to offer St. Lucians is real fitness, that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives."

As a result, currently on offer are:

• Spinning classes which uses indoor-biking to improve cardiovascular endurance as well as developing leg muscles.
• Pilates classes which focus on strengthening and stretching core muscles and improving posture & balance.
• Cross-fit classes which are a fun way of working out to help people gain a broad and general fitness. During classes you combine movements such as jumping rope, sprinting, pull-ups, dips, push-ups, and much more, to improve general fitness. 

All classes allow for the different exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginning to advanced, which is why anyone is welcome and can join any of the classes, no matter how fit (or unfit) they are.

As an opening offer, currently anyone can participate for free in one class of their choice during the month of August. Bookings are essential though, to ensure a seat on a bike or place in the class. Spinning: Monday 6:30 to 7:30, 17:00 to 18:00, Tuesday 11:00 to 12:00, Wednesday 16:30 to 17:30, Thursday 6:30 to 7:30 & 11:00 to 12:00.  Pilates: Tuesday 6:30 to 7:30 and Friday 6:30 to 7:30. Cross-fit: Tuesday 17:00 to 17:45 and Thursday 16:30 to 17:15.

Contact Rich on 0834531621 or richsfitness@gmail.com for spinning and cross-fit classes

Susan on 0829407194 or prohealthbiokinetics@gmail.com for Pilates classes

There is talk of more classes becoming available in the next couple of months: Kiddies Kickboxing, Stick fighting and traditional Japanese self-defence, and Aerobics.

Trainers that would like to offer classes using the facilities at Rich's Fitness & Spinning studio, please do contact Rich on the contact details above.

St Lucia Catholic Church renovations

This notice is for all St Lucia residents and visitors:

As most members of the St Lucia Community are probably aware, the Catholic Church is currently undergoing major renovations, which will likely render the property out of bounds for approximately one year. 
In the interim, Sea Sands in Hornbill Street has kindly offered the use of its conference centre for the Catholic Mass services every Sunday.

One step closer to legal trade in rhino horn?

File photo

A recent international television documentary on rhino poaching raised the ongoing, controversial debate of legalising the trade in rhino horn in order to reduce poaching. While most of us are aware of the desire by some conservationists to flood the market with SA's current stockpiles of rhino horn, which have been acquired from rhinos who have died of natural causes, it appears that a number of wildlife enthusiasts, including a prominent "rhino farming tycoon", are in favour of including the horns of living rhinos in SA's rhino horn stockpiles, to be traded when/if the trade in rhino horn is legalised. 

The recent de-horning of living rhinos proved futile, however, in its attempt to prevent poaching because, when interviewed, poachers admitted to killing de-horned rhinos simply because they didn't want to risk wasting their time tracking a rhino without a horn. That said, those in support of lifting the ban on rhino horn trade hope that flooding the market with existing stockpiles of rhino horn will cease poaching, thereby not exposing de-horned rhinos to poachers in the future.

South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs recently confirmed its position on this debate by announcing Cabinet's approval of the development and submission of a proposal to the 17th conference of parties (CoP) to CITES, scheduled to take place in 2016. The 16th CoP to CITES, held in March 2013, saw discussions relating to a possible trade in rhino horn initiated. A recent Department of Environmental Affairs press release quoted Minister Edna Molewa as having said: "We will have to work in partnership with stakeholders and experts to ensure a feasible model for trade is proposed at the next CoP in South Africa, with due consideration of all the views expressed by interested and affected stakeholders in rhino conservation. Our appeal is that this should not be viewed in isolation from all our endeavours to save our rhinos. South Africa cannot continue to be held hostage by the syndicates slaughtering our rhinos. We do have the ability to make this scarce resource available without impacting on the species, through the implementation of a regulated trade system."

This idea raises some serious questions. Apart from questioning a de-horned rhino's ability to defend itself, is selling off part of each animal the only way we'll be able to keep this magnificent beast among us in the years to come? With the rhino population in SA plummeting, and projected 2013 poaching statistics sitting at around 900, the future of the rhino as we currently know it looks bleak to say the least.

St Lucia News aims to keep its readers updated on this controversial debate, however, in the meantime, we would like to remind visitors and tour guides alike to keep the 'crime hotline' contact numbers handy, and report ANY suspicious activity so it can be investigated by the team of professionals. Those numbers are: 32211 (SMS) and 08600 10111 (telephone). SMS' charged at R1. Crimeline's website: https://www.crimeline.co.za . 

Lioness on the loose: Update

File Photo courtesy of Patrick Jolly Photography

Following recent reports of a lioness on the loose in the Heatonville area near Empangeni, a statement from KZN Wildlife released on Thursday, 27 June, confirmed the presence of what resembles lion spoor in the area.

Fatal shooting at Sodwana Bay Resort

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, 25 June, an armed suspect who had broken in to one of the chalets in Sodwana Bay Resort was shot and killed by a KZN Wildlife Field Ranger.

Whilst on patrol the Field Ranger received information about the break in and made his way to the chalet in question.

Mayhem in Monzi

Following a home invasion in Monzi this morning, during which a five year old allegedly handed over the contents of his piggy bank to the balaclava-clad criminals, St Lucia News urges both the St Lucia and Monzi communities to be vigilant. 

Further extension to Rhino Club programme

Following recent correspondence with KZN Wildlife, we have been informed that the current Rhino Club programme will run until end March 2014.

St Lucia mourns

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Constable Moses Mkwanazi, SAP Officer who served the St Lucia area for many years. Constable Mkwanazi tragically passed away following a fatal car accident.

Blood donations help save Hluhluwe farmer's life

Members of the St Lucia Community will by now be aware of the brutal attack on Peter-John Hassard, conservationist and farmer, at his Hluhluwe farm on Monday 20 May. Hassard was reportedly attacked and shot by five black male gunmen as he was leaving his farmhouse. In a critical condition he drove himself to a local hospital where he has been fighting for his life since the attack. 

Litter: Unwelcome in a World Heritage Site

In November 2012 St Lucia News published an article on litter in St Lucia, a problem which should have no place in a World Heritage Site. The article included photographs of litter-strewn beach car parks & overturned bins at Cape Vidal and questioned the enforcement of 'no drinking in public', an age-old town by-law. The article can be viewed here. No comments or feedback were received from the park authority, yet, according to reports from some members of the St Lucia community, the litter issue has once again reared it's ugly head.

Archive photo: upturned bins at Cape Vidal Nov 2012

Each member of the St Lucia Community pays towards the employment of Town Security whose job it is to patrol every part of the town, from McKenzie Street to the beaches, ensuring not only the safety of our community & visitors but also the cleanliness of our town.

Western Shores rhino poaching: Update

Archive photo: rhino poached for its horn

Sadly, confirmation has been received from iSimangaliso, the Wetland Park Authority, of the four rhinos recently poached in the Western Shores area of the wetland park.

A media release published by KZN Wildlife on the 21st of May revealed the discovery of 11 rhino carcasses in KZN reserves, thought to have been poached within the last 20 days. Of this total, eight (seven white rhino and one black rhino) were poached in St Lucia's Western and Eastern Shores reserves, with six in Western Shores and two in Eastern Shores. This means that the iSimangaliso Wetland Park has been hardest hit out of all KZN's protected areas. Nevertheless, KZN Wildlife CEO Dr Bandile Mkize is "determined to keep working on solutions and tightening up on security matters." Tony Conway, iSimangaliso Park Manager, confirmed that heavy calibre firearms are being used after a spent .458 cartridge was found. 

The Zululand Antipoaching Wing (ZAP-Wing) helicopter assisted in the search for poachers on the night of the 20th of May and during the early hours of the 21st of May, while KZN Wildlife has intensified its aerial patrols of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and is "improving its underground information gathering efforts around the park". The loss of these rhinos comes on the eve of the Rhino Summit, to be held at University of Zululand from the 22nd - 23rd of May 2013.
Up until mid-last week, KZN Wildlife reserves had lost a total of 10 rhinos to poaching so far this year, a tiny fraction of the countrywide statistics.

Archive photo: Cheetah plane used by ZAP-Wing

Today, 22 May, KZN Wildlife sadly announced the poaching of an elephant, from Tembe Elephant Park. Tembe Elephant Park is not only a Big 5 game reserve but is an elephant sanctuary, originally set up in the 1980s to protect the elephant population fleeing Southern Mozambique, where they were being decimated due to the Mozambican Civil War.

St Lucia News would, once again, like to remind visitors and tour guides alike to take note of the 'crime hotline' contact numbers, to which ANY suspicious activity is to be directly reported so it can be investigated by the team of professionals. Those numbers are: 32211 (SMS) and 08600 10111 (telephone). SMS' charged at R1. Crimeline's website: https://www.crimeline.co.za . Everybody, from members of the public visiting our parks on a one-off basis to guides who frequent our reserves, please keep these numbers handy and keep your eyes peeled for suspicious activity and suspicious vehicles. 

Following the news of the two poaching incidents in Eastern Shores, is it time to start regulating vehicles entering and leaving St Lucia (gateway to the Eastern Shores reserve) via the estuary bridge?

Rhinos allegedly poached in St Lucia's Western Shores

Wildlife poaching, and rhino poaching in particular, appears to be spiralling out of control, with more than 300 having been slaughtered in 2013 and we're not even halfway through the year. 

Just three short weeks after a letter from KZN Wildlife CEO Dr Bandile Mkize to the KwaZulu-Natal public was published, in which he applauded the province on its low rhino poaching statistics, it appears that during a poaching frenzy, 14 rhinos in South Africa were slaughtered in 48 hours, with four alledgedly poached in St Lucia's Western Shores reserve. At the time of print, we await confirmation from the park authority and will publish their response, once received.

While poachers appear to be armed with state-of-the-art equipment, St Lucia News would like to remind the public to take note of the 'crime hotline' contact numbers, to which ANY suspicious activity must be directly reported so it can be investigated by the team of professionals. Those numbers are: 32211 (SMS) and 08600 10111 (telephone). SMS' charged at R1. Crimeline's website: https://www.crimeline.co.za . Everybody, from members of the public visiting our parks on a one-off basis to guides who frequent our reserves, please keep these numbers handy and keep your eyes peeled for suspicious activity and suspicious vehicles. 

Our province saved the rhino from extinction in the past, surely we can do it again.

Road closed between Piet Retief and Ermelo

Amsterdam Municipal Offices today, burnt out during Service Delivery Riots

If you're travelling in that direction, St Lucia News has just heard that the road between Piet Retief and Ermelo is closed and most of the roads into and out of Amsterdam are also closed. Piet Retief is, however, open this morning with a skeleton staff managing the supermarket.

Piet Retief open for business

The service delivery protests in and around Piet Retief have abated today after 23 arrests. Unfortunately, this was not before two lives were lost over the last two days. Today, however, most businesses are open but operating with a skeleton staff. The accompanying photo shows protestors blocking one of the roads into the town.

Hippo struck and killed by vehicle

Earlier today, 13 April, a hippo was struck and killed by a vehicle, allegedly a white double cab bakkie, in the vicinity of the speed humps just outside St Lucia.

While the speed limit along this St Lucia-Mtubatuba Road is more often than not ignored, St Lucia News has noticed, on multiple occasions, drivers of the bigger style 4x4s simply do not reduce their speed when driving over the small speed humps, such as those on the road adjacent to the boat tours booking office and in the vicinity of the Butterfly House.

Long weekend, half marathon and a celebrity to visit town

Archive photo from 2012 event

On the weekend of 27th and 28th April St Lucia will host its second annual half marathon. Much the same as last year's event, with scenic routes through town, however, this year more emphasis is being placed on more activities and discounted accommodation & tours for visitors during the course of the weekend.

The St Lucia Ratepayers Association is organising the event in conjunction with the iSimangaliso Park Authority and, as far as St Lucia News is aware, as per last year's inaugural event, participants will get to

Discounted accommodation and tours during half marathon weekend

As mentioned previously, a selection of B&Bs, self catering establishments and tour operators have offered a 15% discount during the course of the half marathon weekend, 27 & 28 April 2013. Details of said businesses are listed below.

St Lucians standing together

As most readers of this site are aware, St Lucia News was created not only to report the goings-on in our town but also to help create a sense of community in St Lucia. We believe that this is achieved through publicising events organised by St Lucians & held in St Lucia and by recognising individuals' attempts at forging a community spirit within the borders of our beautiful town.

Extension to current Rhino Club benefits

Apparently KZN Wildlife is at a loss as to what to do with the 'Rhino Club'. The new scheme, which all Rhino Club members had been promised would replace the Rhino Club by 1st April, appears to have been delayed as all Rhino Club members received notice of an extension of current Rhino Card benefits to the end of June 2013. This was not issued as a special notice, it was merely mentioned in the most recent Rhino Club newsletter.

St Lucia bowls over opposition

Last weekend St Lucia Bowling Club beat clubs from Richard's Bay, Empangeni, Mtubatuba and Pongola in a regional inter-club competition. Each club entered one or more teams in the round-robin format competition and it was one of St Lucia's Teams which emerged victorious and claimed the 'Carla and Glynn Trevelyan Trophy'. We trust all St Lucians join us in congratulating St Lucia Bowling Club.

St Lucia X Factor: AGM

St Lucia X Factor, the community-building initiative responsible for successfully raising funds for projects such as 'crosses for rhinos' and 'statue of Vincent' is holding its first annual general meeting at 17h30 on 28 February 2013 at St Lucia's Ski Boat Club.

Troop Wars on Hornbill Road

St Lucia News file photo

Yesterday evening, 7 February, Hornbill Road, a favourite feeding place for hippo & bushbuck and a favourite hunting ground for leopard, was the scene of what appeared to be inter-troop fighting amongst St Lucia's sizeable population of vervet monkey.

The Future of KZN Wildlife Rhino Card

Many St Lucia residents have contacted St Lucia News regarding the KZN Wildlife Rhino Card and the future it holds. St Lucia News contacted the Rhino Club in an attempt to get some answers.

While the Rhino Club appears to no longer have a page of its own on KZN Wildlife's website, the most recent post on the Rhino Club blog (published in November 2012) states that current benefits will expire at the end of March 2013, so make the most of the Rhino Card while you have it.

Marketing St. Lucia

From the 8th 'til the 13th of January St. Lucia Estuary was well represented at the annual Vakantiebeurs Travel Expo in The Netherlands. This Travel Fair takes place in a central city in the Netherlands and 160 countries exhibit on a total surface area of about 16 soccer fields. In one of the halls there was a complete section set aside for South Africa, aptly called 'The South Africa Village'. Advantage Tours & Tailor Made Safaris were kindly invited to share the Tourism KZN stand this year where, on behalf of all tourism stakeholders of the province, they tried their very best to convince the Dutch public to consider visiting KZN on their next visit to South Africa!

Upgrade to St Lucia's Water Pipes

This is a quick newsflash to inform all St Lucians that there will be no water tomorrow, Thursday 24 January, from 7h00 until 17h00 due to a pipeline changeover. The existing pipeline is severely disintegrated and the only way to fix it is to install a new one.

So make sure you're showered before 7h00 and that you have sufficient tank or pool water with which to flush toilets etc throughout the day.

For more information, contact WJ Construction on 035 590 1464.

St Lucia's Water Pipes Run Dry

St Lucia residents are by now aware that the water pipes have run dry once again. While nobody can tell us the length of time we'll be without running water, what we have found out is that the cause of the water shortage is a broken pipe at the Saw Mill. Again. As far as we are aware, the problem is being worked on and the water will be running as and when it can be fixed. 

Death of KZN Plant Ecologist Leaves "Void" in KZN Wildlife Community

Rob Scott-Shaw (Msc. Botany), Plant Ecologist and Principal Nature Conservation Scientist for KZN Wildlife for the past 24 years left a void in the KwaZulu-Natal wildlife community when he died earlier this month.

St Lucia Community Welcomes 2013 with a Beach Party

The St Lucia Community waved goodbye to 2012 and welcomed 2013 in typical St Lucia fashion - partying on Estuary Beach.