A nightmare in Mponjwane
11 Feb 2015 22:29 #62827
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic A nightmare in Mponjwane
What a terrible experience that must have been, and it is very disappointing that this kind of thing happens.
I see things in the Drakensberg, Magaliesberg, and elsewhere which are very saddening, and it isn't just limited to a particular group of people or social class. Sometimes it is even by people that really should have known and done better.
If it is certain that this group was officially linked to Vodacom, then certainly well-worded letter to them could be helpful.
Certainly as hikers (regardless of race and background) we can create and spread a culture amongst ourselves that is concerned and protective of the environment, and one which is considerate of other hikers, and other groups of people in the mountains. It wouldn't be difficult to draw up a list of values that most on this forum would support.
Getting these values into the mindset of the broader public is a real challenge indeed, and it takes a lot of time to get the message through. There are some noteworthy initiatives right on our doorstep however. The wilderness and rock art groups of the AmaZizi and the Mnweni actively educate the community on environmental issues, and also spend time in schools. Then there are organisations such as SoapKidz : "As non-profit organisation, we aim to create environmental awareness and promote nature conservation amongst underprivileged and abused children.", check out their website for the kind of things they do (some will remember that the founder of this organisation, Karen, is working towards climbing the highest peak in every country in Africa - and I can tell you, every one of her guides and porters on those trips gets the concept of litter clean-up drilled in them by her!).
As an aside note: it has been the observation that Shepherds Cave is currently being used quite a lot the Basotho (and not the middle class), perhaps more than is has been previously. It is not in a great condition either (not that it ever was, but its even worse). 5 Star Cave on the other hand seems to be left for the hikers, so definitely use that cave in order to avoid potentially unpleasant situations.
I see things in the Drakensberg, Magaliesberg, and elsewhere which are very saddening, and it isn't just limited to a particular group of people or social class. Sometimes it is even by people that really should have known and done better.
If it is certain that this group was officially linked to Vodacom, then certainly well-worded letter to them could be helpful.
Certainly as hikers (regardless of race and background) we can create and spread a culture amongst ourselves that is concerned and protective of the environment, and one which is considerate of other hikers, and other groups of people in the mountains. It wouldn't be difficult to draw up a list of values that most on this forum would support.
Getting these values into the mindset of the broader public is a real challenge indeed, and it takes a lot of time to get the message through. There are some noteworthy initiatives right on our doorstep however. The wilderness and rock art groups of the AmaZizi and the Mnweni actively educate the community on environmental issues, and also spend time in schools. Then there are organisations such as SoapKidz : "As non-profit organisation, we aim to create environmental awareness and promote nature conservation amongst underprivileged and abused children.", check out their website for the kind of things they do (some will remember that the founder of this organisation, Karen, is working towards climbing the highest peak in every country in Africa - and I can tell you, every one of her guides and porters on those trips gets the concept of litter clean-up drilled in them by her!).
As an aside note: it has been the observation that Shepherds Cave is currently being used quite a lot the Basotho (and not the middle class), perhaps more than is has been previously. It is not in a great condition either (not that it ever was, but its even worse). 5 Star Cave on the other hand seems to be left for the hikers, so definitely use that cave in order to avoid potentially unpleasant situations.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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12 Feb 2015 11:19 #62828
by tiska
Replied by tiska on topic A nightmare in Mponjwane
I would certainly support the idea of writing to, if not naming and shaming, the organisations responsible for bringing people who behave inappropriately in wilderness places like Mponjwane Cave. For a start, a bunch of inexperienced people who heavily outnumber the single experienced escort, and then proceed to get drunk near the edge of an escarpment, are a danger to themselves and anyone who might have to rescue them. The Drakensberg escarpment is simply not the right place to behave as these people did.
The pure solution might be to educate everyone. But that isn't going to happen. It will never be possible. The tactical solution is to stop outfits like Vodocom from being associated with these sorts of incidents. And explaining to the 'guide' that pitching up and taking over an escarpment cave and then keeping everyone awake is a very uncool thing to do.
The pure solution might be to educate everyone. But that isn't going to happen. It will never be possible. The tactical solution is to stop outfits like Vodocom from being associated with these sorts of incidents. And explaining to the 'guide' that pitching up and taking over an escarpment cave and then keeping everyone awake is a very uncool thing to do.
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12 Feb 2015 15:55 #62830
by HFc
Replied by HFc on topic A nightmare in Mponjwane
I mouthed off (in no uncertain terms) to them on their Facebook page, and predictably they did not reply...
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13 Feb 2015 05:43 #62832
by DeonS
Replied by DeonS on topic A nightmare in Mponjwane
A proper trained guide would not act like this, as the very core of his business is ruined when people destroy the area where he is making a income from, so to me the guide needs to be reprimanded as well the company he works for and of course who ever hired them.
In the end the guide is the person responsible for what happens on his tour and to me it looks like this is a untrained person looking at making a few rand giving the rest of us guides a bad name and spoiling it for every one else.
In the end the guide is the person responsible for what happens on his tour and to me it looks like this is a untrained person looking at making a few rand giving the rest of us guides a bad name and spoiling it for every one else.
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19 Feb 2015 14:34 #62876
by spook
Replied by spook on topic A nightmare in Mponjwane
This is a damn shame. Somehow incidents like this change the sanctity of special places like Mponj Cave. I can't help thinking that all future nights spent in Mponj Cave will bring some trepidation that a donkey train could arrive any time. The sense of wilderness is gone.
I feared that the GPS and readily downloadable tracks/coords would be the demise of difficult-to-find caves. But I held onto the hope that at least these GPS folk would have taken the effort to lug their packs up to reach the cave. That would be a simple filter. But this! I would not have predicted it. Yet.
I have passed the story on to Vodacom Head Office by a mate who works there. It has already been sent to the CEO of Vodacom Lesotho. He will hopefully get to the bottom of this and take corrective action. There are only around 150 Vodacom employees in Lesotho, so hopefully this delivers an outcome.
I have sympathy for the idea of launching 40 shoes into the abyss. The satisfaction might well have overshadowed any clutter in the approach gully to the tower.
I feared that the GPS and readily downloadable tracks/coords would be the demise of difficult-to-find caves. But I held onto the hope that at least these GPS folk would have taken the effort to lug their packs up to reach the cave. That would be a simple filter. But this! I would not have predicted it. Yet.
I have passed the story on to Vodacom Head Office by a mate who works there. It has already been sent to the CEO of Vodacom Lesotho. He will hopefully get to the bottom of this and take corrective action. There are only around 150 Vodacom employees in Lesotho, so hopefully this delivers an outcome.
I have sympathy for the idea of launching 40 shoes into the abyss. The satisfaction might well have overshadowed any clutter in the approach gully to the tower.
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19 Feb 2015 15:09 #62877
by tiska
Replied by tiska on topic A nightmare in Mponjwane
Spook, that's only 20 shoes each now! We're closing in.
Well done for pressing the story with Vodacom. It can't be good for them to have these issues circulating and hopefully they will re-consider.
And yes, that is exactly the problem. Another set of hooligans could pitch up in Mponj cave or Injisuthi cave or any other cave now.
Well done for pressing the story with Vodacom. It can't be good for them to have these issues circulating and hopefully they will re-consider.
And yes, that is exactly the problem. Another set of hooligans could pitch up in Mponj cave or Injisuthi cave or any other cave now.
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20 Feb 2015 01:46 #62882
by Serious tribe
Replied by Serious tribe on topic A nightmare in Mponjwane
Well done Spook. If you get a response from them, please publish here.
It often is who you know and not what you know that helps. This forum certainly has its uses over and above hiking - Kudos to Chris and the team.
It often is who you know and not what you know that helps. This forum certainly has its uses over and above hiking - Kudos to Chris and the team.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Drakensbergie
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20 Feb 2015 09:19 #62884
by Stretch
Replied by Stretch on topic A nightmare in Mponjwane
Really shocking reading this. I spent my childhood appreciating and enjoying the serenity and unspoiled beauty of the berg and am starting to do the same for my daughters...but the thought of them being exposed to this is scarey.
The problem is that even those in charge are doing nothing. we recently took a friend to see the bushmans paintings at Giants and the litter at the site was frightening...and even more frightening was seeing well educated people flicking lit cigarettes into the surrounding bush!
The problem is that even those in charge are doing nothing. we recently took a friend to see the bushmans paintings at Giants and the litter at the site was frightening...and even more frightening was seeing well educated people flicking lit cigarettes into the surrounding bush!
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05 Mar 2015 10:29 #62949
by Morgan/Leone
Replied by Morgan/Leone on topic A nightmare in Mponjwane
O wow - shocking/sies man. Glad you guys were not harmed but I would have definitely been a bit scared as well. Good on you for making a racket and making them clean up the next day. 
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10 Apr 2015 06:51 - 11 Apr 2015 07:35 #63352
by tonymarshall
Replied by tonymarshall on topic A nightmare in Mponjwane
Over the Easter long weekend I was in the Mnweni area and made a point of going to look at Mponjwane Cave. I knew that a large Mountain Club group had stayed at the cave earlier the weekend, and found the cave to be in good order, although it is quite possible that someone spent some effort and time cleaning it up.
Both sections of the cave had been used, were lined with grass, and everything was clean. The main area is shown in the photo below, with the other area just visible in the background.
There was still evidence of the fire coals ash, and possible fat marks on the rock next to the ash. This rock can also be seen outside the main sleeping area in the photo above at the left, and in DarkwingDave's original photos.
So, no fear, worry or hesitation about using Mponjwane Cave needed, it is still in good, usable condition, as so many of us know it.
Both sections of the cave had been used, were lined with grass, and everything was clean. The main area is shown in the photo below, with the other area just visible in the background.
There was still evidence of the fire coals ash, and possible fat marks on the rock next to the ash. This rock can also be seen outside the main sleeping area in the photo above at the left, and in DarkwingDave's original photos.
So, no fear, worry or hesitation about using Mponjwane Cave needed, it is still in good, usable condition, as so many of us know it.
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Last edit: 11 Apr 2015 07:35 by tonymarshall.
The following user(s) said Thank You: JonWells, Smurfatefrog, Sabine, HFc, Captain, Drakensbergie, andrew r
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