The recent declaration of six properties in the Northern Cape, five new protected environments (PEs) and one nature reserve, is a win for people and nature.

The declarations are thanks to the efforts of landowners, the Northern Cape’s Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform (DAERL), WWF South Africa and the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

Katherine Forsythe, Landscape Manager for the Northern Cape/Arid Areas with WWF South Africa, commented: “These declarations are a great example of the Northern Cape working closely with NGOs and landowners to enable conservation, while building green economic activities in the landscape that sustainably support both people and biodiversity.”

A PE is a legal safeguard against unsustainable development in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act. It allows for an area to be managed for conservation alongside compatible and sustainable economic activities, such as livestock farming and tourism.

Since 2006, DAERL’s stewardship programme has been working with landowners to expand the conservation estate of the Northern Cape while promoting sustainable utilisation and the growth of the green economy of the region. NGOs such as WWF and EWT have helped by mobilising additional funding and support.

A highlight of the stewardship programme has been the declaration of the new PEs, testimony to the success of this collaboration. By achieving PE status, the properties concerned are now able to blend conservation objectives with diverse activities such as tourism and sustainable agriculture.

Three of the PE declarations and the new Avontuur Nature Reserve lie within priority areas identified by the Leslie Hill Succulent Karoo Trust which was set up to protect the Succulent Karoo biome. Namaqualand is also home to other critical vegetation types such as fynbos and renosterveld.

• Papkuilsfontein PE (6 829 ha). A popular tourist destination during the flower season, this farm is located on the Bokkeveld Escarpment and features a mixture of critical vegetation types. The farm is known for conservation, sustainable farming and ecotourism.
• Grasberg PE (2 696 ha). Also on the Bokkeveld Escarpment, Grasberg is adjacent to the recently declared Avontuur Nature Reserve about 15km from the town of Nieuwoudtville. It is popular with hikers and mountain bikers.
• Strandfontein PE (12 259 ha). This coastal property lies on the coastline to the south of the Namaqua National Park. It features critical intact coastal ecosystems under severe threat of mining. The property combines ecotourism, small stock farming and conservation.

The Bokkeveld Plateau is well known for its unique floral displays, incredible biodiversity and the best hospitality one could expect to find in this beautiful rural region.

The Van Wyk family on Papkuilsfontein and the Kotze family at Grasberg are examples of how close-knit families have harnessed their skills, initiative and passion to create sought-after tourism destinations in the Northern Cape bringing economic benefits to local people.

In collaboration with WWF, EWT and the Table Mountain Fund (TMF), Papkuilsfontein now has the Northern Cape’s first and, so far, only via ferrata (a protected climbing route) which allows participants to walk along the face of a stunning sandstone cliff and swing out over a breath-taking canyon while clipped onto a safety system the entire route. 

The Strandfontein PE, also known locally as Waterval, is an example of where sheep and tourists now enjoy the ocean vistas and rugged beauty of the West Coast together. The Nieuwoudt family, traditionally sheep farmers, have developed “bush camps” along their farm’s coastline where people seeking to get away from the crowds can enjoy a wilderness experience and wild surfing.

Grasberg landowner Mandie Kotze said that the property has always had owners who were conservation minded, adding: “We decided to go the protected environment route to protect what we have here, for ourselves, our children and their children. Aside from farming, we also focus on eco-tourism and have houses on the farm we rent out, mostly during the flower season. We have lots of guest who are interested in bulbs and plants and want to see specific plants. Grasberg offers a wide variety and it is always a pleasure to show all its beauty to guests.”