Conservation & Communities
Isibindi Africa Lodges has developed numerous small ecotourist lodges in pristine areas of South Africa. Our company’s philosophy pivots on the recognition of the following vital issues in developing ecotourism projects in rural Africa:
- Tread gently. Respect for the environment and the minimizing of any impact on her when establishing and later, operating an ecotourism venture. A strong aesthetic feature of our lodges is their ability to blend strongly into their immediate natural environment.
- Shared sustainable utilization of natural resources with neighbouring communities within these protected areas
- the upliftment and training of neighbouring communities to ensure their full involvement in the ecotourist project, so as to maximize the flow of benefits to the communities.
- The educating of all visitors to these pristine areas on the role neighbouring communities play in maintaining the protected area
Track Record
To date, Isibindi Africa Lodges has contributed to and initiated numerous upliftment projects including:
- the Zulu cultural experience at Isibindi Zulu Lodge
- the involvement of the community as shareholders in the development company at Thonga Beach Lodge (in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund and the Wildlands Trust)
- The establishment of the first private operator-community development within the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve; Kosi Forest Lodge
Projects
The following projects have been chosen to contribute to the welfare, income and conservation spirit of communities neighbouring these valuable conservation areas. In addition, other projects are enabling significant ecological research to be done within these proclaimed areas. Finally, we contribute to projects uplifting the standard of living of AIDS orphans in rural areas.
Community Projects
Tshemba Hosi School
Mabibi School Computer Room
Ecotourism Service Projects
Rorke’s Drift Zulu dancers
Mabibi basket ware and pottery
Kosi Bay vegetable garden
1. Conservation Projects
Marine Research at Mabibi
Thonga Beach Lodge supports a number of research projects undertaken within this protected marine sanctuary.
2. Community Projects
Tshemba Hosi School, bordering Kruger National Park
Tshemba Hosi School was founded by Mrs Tryphina Makhubela. In 2001 she was told that she would have to take her youngest son, then aged seven, out of his regular school, as he was mentally handicapped. She started to teach him at home. Thsemba Hosi School now provides day care, education and two meals a day to fifty-four children.
Mabibi School Computer Room
We are currently assisting the school in purchasing computers for their first computer classroom.
3. Ecotourism Service Projects
We assist in the training of neighbouring communities to supply arts, crafts and produce to the lodge’s curio shops and kitchens. A fantastic opportunity exists for communities to earn significant income. These projects vary from lodge to lodge. We will be expanding the following existing projects and developing new ones:
Rorke’s Drift Zulu dancers
The school children receive a financial contribution to participate in the Zulu Cultural Experience offered to guests at Isibindi Zulu Lodge. In addition to a financial reward Isibindi Africa Lodges also contributes to the children’s school fees. The traditional Zulu dancing also keeps the school children interested in their cultural heritage – they regularly participate in provincial dancing competitions.
Mabibi basket ware and pottery
An opportunity exists for the Mabibi community to substantially expand their supply of arts and crafts to Thonga Beach Lodge’s busy curio shop. An expert in community arts training has identified the community’s potential. In addition once this project is implemented it will allow the community’s pool of skills to expand to supply other outlets in the Maputaland area.
Kosi Bay vegetable garden
The sandy soils, high rainfall and moderate temperature in the Kosi Bay area make it ideal for the establishment of the area’s first large scale
vegetable supplier. The close proximity of the community to the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve makes it an ideal venture with Kosi Forest Lodge. In addition the growing tourist market in the area provides a year round demand for the produce.
Should you wish to make a donation please see the contribution form, chat to your lodge manager or contact us directly. All donations will be acknowledged on our website for a period of 3 months following the donation. All donors will receive an annual progress report on the project chosen.
Please do contact me should you have any queries.
Paige Gehren (paige@isibindi.co.za)
Conservation Economist