IWPA (iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority) and the UDMEMF (Umkhanyakude District Municipality Environmental Management Framework)

The many Projects that the IWPA (iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority) are busy with within the IWPWHS (iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site) are very exciting and will lead to better enjoyment of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park by many. We appreciate these projects as they supply a constant employment stream for many of the Elephant Coast businesses and residents.

Problem is that these many projects are not integrated into the 5 local municipalities IDP's (Integrated Development Plans) and thus not properly reflected in the UDM IDP (Umkhanyakude District Municipality Integrated Development Plan) or EMF Environmental Management Framework)

Who to blame for this is a tough question, but it needs to be answered, and the responsible person needs to be taken to task and face a public disciplinary hearing. The person responsible for this terrible state of affairs that has caused many thousands within the Elephant Coast tourism region to loose their jobs, and many developers to have their developments torn down causing further economic losses needs to be removed from office.

The IWPA (iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority) manage the IWPWHS (iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site) on behalf of the world population, and are responsible to ensure that the world  public has access to relevant information about the IWP (iSimangaliso Wetland Park) and how the IWP is being managed.

The UDM (Umkhanyakude district Municipality) is currently busy with an EMF (Environmental Management Framework) planning exercise, but this EMF (Environmental Management Framework) somehow excludes the IWPA's  (iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority's) projects. Unfortunately the IWPWHS (iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site) falls entirely within the UDM (Umkhanyakude district Municipalty) and the 5 local municipalities of

1. Umhlabuyalingana
2. Big 5 False Bay
3. Jozini
4. Hlabisa
5. Mtubatuba     linked info courtesy of www.mtuba4u.co.za   

Now the fact that the IWPA (iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority) has not played their part in the 5 local municipalities IDP PRF (Integrated Development Plan Public Representatives Forum)  and failed to have their (IWPA - iSimangaliso  Wetland Park Authority) zoning maps and development projects included makes it very difficult for developers to know where they may develop, and what type of developments are suitable for which areas. this has lead to many developers losing their entire investments and a case in point is this one.

Once again who is responsible and who should be fired?

I am personally of the opinion that there are two (2) candidates 1) is the CEO of the IWPA (iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority) and 2) The minister of Environmental Affairs  who was mandated to Appoint the CEO of the IWPA by the WHCA (World Heritage Convention Act) 

The UDM EMF (Umkhanyakude District Municipality Environmental Management Framework) will give us the tools to high light these issues and push for some action to be taken.

The EIA for the Sodwana bay Redevelopment project will give us another tool to tackle this issue, and if we are successful in bringing both actions to the attention of the public at the same time we may achieve a little more success.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Redevelopment of Sodwana Beach Node

The IWPA (iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority)  is busy with an EIA process to evaluate the  Redevelopment of Sodwana Beach Node. Will you take part in this process? to register as an IAP (Interested and affected party) for the iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Redevelopment of Sodwana Beach Node EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) visit the Accer (Africa) web site and register .

If the registration form is not yet in place click on the contact details tab or open this link then fill in the form on the page and request to be registered as an IAP with this EIA

I am not sure if this is GOOD or BAD for the area but am glad that a true EIA is being undertaken. Please register as an IAP if you live in the area or play along the coast. This area needs some serious public participation in its development and we do need to ensure that the recreational beach users concerns are well documented and listed as high priority concerns.

the 4x4 ban has had the knock on effect of serious economic losses within the area, which have not been addressed. These same consultants ACCER (AFRICA) were involved in past research on these issues

see these reports on related issues
1) Occasional paper 20 by KZN Tourism
2) Occasional paper 23 by KZN Tourism


I hope to see you at a future PPPM (Public Participation Process Meeting ) where the true issues of the lost tourism income caused by the 4x4 ban and other related issues that impact on the Elephant Coast Domestic Tourism within the Sodwana region are discussed.