African Wildlife & Environment Issue 82

GENERAL

The saying that “it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good” shows that even a bad situation must have good results for at least some. In our case the providers of solar systems cannot keep up with the demand, and there are shortages of solar panels, inverters and batteries. People are paying anything between R100,000 and R200,000 for rooftop solar installations that get them partially off the grid, and are well able to cope with load-shedding. Looking at the cost of motor vehicles these days, you can’t buy a decent chariot for under R200,000, so the idea of keeping your car for a bit longer and investing in a solar system is not a bad idea. Many of the banks are now providing finance plans for solar as well. All our readers will surely join me in welcoming our new CEO, Helena Atkinson.With a sound track record in conservation, Helena is also an outstanding wildlife photographer (just look at the cover!) and has a good grasp of what is needed to guide WESSA as the society approaches its one hundredth anniversary in 2026. Helena has agreed to provide regular feedback to members, and her first column appears on page 2. She writes that “ WESSA has long been the place for people who care about the environment to get together and take action around local conservation issues”. Long may that be the case, while at higher levels WESSA will tackle major issues such as the threats to our biodiversity that are happening with the running-down and neglect of provincial nature reserves. Recent revelations about the situation at KZN Ezemvelo indicate just how badly these once great reserves have deteriorated. Ndumo is one such sad story, while rhino poaching in the Hluhluwe iMfolozi has been relentless. EDITORIAL As South Africa struggles to recover from the terrible Covid-19 years of 2020 and 2021, this year (2022) has seen a number of setbacks that sap our optimism and make life challenging. Foremost of these has been the unreliable electricity supply from Eskom, with load shedding disrupting lives in so many different ways.

Dr John Ledger

The GOSCAR awards have been created in the memory of one of the founders and pioneers of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in southern Africa, Garth Owen-Smith. Four Namibians, all humble, hard-working, boots on-the-ground conservationists, as Garth himself was, have been recognised and rewarded for their dedication and commitment.This very thoughtful and appropriate recognition of community conservation practitioners is exactly how Garth would want to be remembered. Read the story on page 14. On a very sad note, Bryan Havemann pays tribute to the life of Anton Mzimba, Head of Ranger Services at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. In July he was assassinated, most likely at the behest of the criminal syndicates that control the rhino poaching and rhino horn trade in the area. Despite receiving death threats, Anton was steadfast in his battle against rhino poachers and resilient to bribery and corruption that would have tempted lesser men. For this he paid the ultimate price. There is much more to read in this issue of the magazine, from Prof Anthony Turton’s article about the corruption of our environmental law on page 11, to Eugene Moll’s thoughts on why some Acacias have such devilish thorns on page 32, to Charles and Julia Botha’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ on page 36. We also review a splendid book on the Amaryllis family, so the botanically inclined readers have a lot to savour! There is a big section for our younger readers, and a lot more besides. Your editorial team hopes you will enjoy this issue.

Dr John Ledger Consulting Editor john.ledger@wol.co.za 083 650 1768

1 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 82 (2022)