News

The theme of the calendar day for the last couple of years has been mainly focusing on the protection of wetlands for the future and the future generation, thus Marakele invited learners from Deo-Gloria primary school to be a part of the celebration by requesting them to present what little knowledge they had on the importance of wetlands. The main objective of celebrating the event was:

• To raise public awareness about the benefits and values of having wetlands as well as to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
• To educate on the different kind of wetlands we have and how to identify them.
• The importance of having wetlands from an ecological and economical prospective.
• How wetlands purify water as they are regarded as natural water purifiers.

The event was attended by Marakele staff members including BSP team members and learners from Deo-Gloria Primary school, it was crucial that the scientific research team attend the event to educate the attendees on how wetlands work with specific reference to the Matlabas wetland which is within the Marakele vicinity. The Guest speakers, from the Marakele Scientific Research division Mr Steven Khoza, Tshegofatso Moremedi and Elias Mthimkhulu gave a well-informed presentation on the identification of a wetland and how the scientific research team conducts their regular inspection and monitoring on the Matlabas wetland which is categorized as a Peatland.

He proceeded with an excursion to the Matlabas wetland to further get a practical experience of the ecological and economical value that the Matlabas wetland has at Marakele National Park. The Scientific Research team answered questions that both learners and the staff members had on the Matlabas wetland. In closing Mr Steven Khoza urged learners to take an interest in wetlands and also a career within the field seeing that there are a few African Wetland ecologist within the industry.

With the fast paced developments South Africa is going through, some areas are neglecting the importance of our natural habitats such as wetlands which are being destroyed every day because of the ignorance and misconceptions people have regarding the importance of having these prestigious ecosystems. On the 2nd of February 1971 the adoption of the convention on wetlands was initiated in the Iranian city of Ramsar, World wetlands day has been celebrated annually for the past 19 years. This day commemorates the need to maintain the ecological character of wetlands and also to raise awareness on the values and benefits of wetlands as well as to promote the conservation of this already deteriorating ecosystem.

At the Matlabas wetland where the scientific research team gave a presentation.

Steven Khoza during his presentation.

Issued By

SANParks Northern Region

Enquiries:
Divhani Maremba
Northern Region Communications Manager
Tel: 012 426 5304, cell: 074 588 5789
E-mail: [email protected]