The Journey is Worth It!

Friday, September 22, 2023

Achieving his Master’s in Development Studies is the realisation of a dream for Mr Ronald Bafana. An environmentalist, Bafana obtained his undergraduate and Honours degree in Environmental Science from Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe. It was while completing these studies that he wanted to understand why environmental goals clash with developmental goals.

Type your conteAchieving his Master’s in Development Studies is the realisation of a dream for Mr Ronald Bafana.

An environmentalist, Bafana obtained his undergraduate and Honours degree in Environmental Science from Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe. It was while completing these studies that he wanted to understand why environmental goals clash with developmental goals.

Concerned with environmental degradation and the alarming rate at which humans are exploiting the environment with unsustainable development being a major contributing factor, he wanted to understand development and so decided to pursue a Master’s in Development Studies.

His thesis entitled: The Impact of Protected Areas on the Livelihoods of Local Communities. A Case of Khula Village, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, investigated the lived experiences of the local communities that live adjacent to protected areas (PA) in South Africa.

The case study was Khula Village, located in KwaZulu-Natal. The main village of Khula is approximately 12km outside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia, northern KwaZulu-Natal. The inhabitants of Khula Village form an integral part of the physical surroundings, as well as the tourism amenities and activities present within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Protected areas are important conservation zones which need to be secured, however, the communities who reside close to these areas are not fully benefiting from the protected area management, leading to conflicts between management authorities and local communities.

What are the benefits of protected areas management to local communities?, What are the factors that hinder the flow of benefits?, How is the protected area perceived, are the research questions Khula Village community members provided responses to.

Bafana’s findings reveal that the people of Khula Village have nothing against conservation but take issue with how it is done as the community does not benefit at all from it. This has unfortunately led to clashes between the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority (IWPA) and the community, which has led to fatalities.

The study findings suggest that the IWPA management’s approach is unsustainable and not including local people in protected areas management leads to conflict. It was also revealed that state control of the PA has negatively affected the livelihood of the local community.

‘The Khula Village community felt excluded and does not benefit from the management of the park which contributes towards their feelings of hostility towards the IWPA. This is compounded when they see the management agents benefit greatly from tourism,’ said Bafana.

The IWPA should strive to benefit local communities and understand that the protected area’s survival is linked to the perception of the local people. Drastic measures need to be taken to make local communities the centre of conservation efforts.

Professor Shauna Mottiar, Director Centre for Civil Society, served as Bafana’s supervisor and was instrumental in helping him finish his studies. ‘Through her guidance, patience, and leadership, I was able to complete my research. She was really tough on me, and believed that I could do it, I could not fail her. God bless her,’ he said.

‘The most difficult challenge in my studies were finances. I had to defer for some time as I did not have the financial means to register. However, my friends and family were key in helping me finish. There were moments where I felt like giving up. In these low times, they would help me up.

‘I feel so proud of my accomplishment. I have made my family proud. It is such a fulfilling feeling. I feel I am a step closer to my career goal,’ said Bafana.

He dedicates his qualification to God and his family and friends who supported him.

Bafana is currently looking for scholarships in order to study towards his PhD.nt here...

Jennene Naidu

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