Berg Alert 2016

****ALERT****

We have unfortunately have had to make the decision to close the Amphitheatre region to all persons, until the security situation stabilises. From the 20th of May 2016, the Amphitheatre region will be closed to all persons. This means that no persons will be allowed into that area, and will be considered trespassing (with possible fines) if found there. Patrols will be done to enforce this decision. The area is described as follows: From the cairn above the chain ladders, along the escarpment to Mount Amery, and back up towards Mont Aux Sources, and down again to the cairn. This is the area managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

We would like to remind everyone that all fees charged to those who pay at the Witsieshoek entrance gate and sentinel car park, are paid to Witsieshoek resort, who manage the land on behalf of the local community. Their land includes the Chain Ladders. The KZN Wildlife area (ie Royal Natal) only begins above the chain ladders at the large cairn, and ends near Mount Amery and Mont Aux Sources. Many people are under the impression that they are paying fees to KZN Wildlife when they enter Witsieshoek for services such as mountain rescue, path maintenance etc. - this is not correct.

A few points:

1. We are forced into this decision by the current security situation there. This is an unfortunate decision which we did not want to do, but your safety is foremost in our minds.
2. We fully understand the implications of this decision on those wishing to do the GT, guiding businesses etc. There will be a stakeholder meeting scheduled in June where stakeholders will be invited to discuss the way forward.
3. There is little to no buy-in from the South African and Lesotho Police services to take action about crime that occurs there. There is seldom a response to the area, no arrests, and no patrols. This is despite the fact that it forms the international border, and that life-threatening cross-border crime is occurring.
4. Due to limited resources, KZN Wildlife patrol the area (mainly over peak periods) from time to time but we cannot afford a permanent presence there. In addition to this, due to a serious budget cut to our state subsidy, patrols in that area will likely be further reduced, especially over peak periods.
5. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife pay for rescues carried out in the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, and at over R80 000 per hour for aircraft, a typical rescue can cost over R180000. Because hikers are not paying their entrance fees to KZN Wildlife in that area (as all funds go to Witsieshoek), in theory, no one hiking in the Amphitheatre area (or doing the GT for that matter!!) is covered for mountain rescue (unless hikers pay KZN Wildlife entrance fees first). This is because payment of entrance fees covers you for rescue costs as well. Although we still do carry out this function, the risk of these costs being passed on to rescued hikers is increasing.
6. We are in discussion with various services to draw attention and hopefully long term, sustainable action to the problem. Again, we reiterate that your safety and enjoyment is our primary concern. Hiking in the Berg should be the wonderful, safe adventure that it usually is. We all know the personal growth and spiritual renewal that this amazing place offers. No one can replace the experience that wilderness offers, and no one should have the right to take it away from you. Remember too that the right to a safe and healthy environment is your basic right, enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa.

A number of suggestions for the way forward are being considered, and we welcome your suggestions as well. These suggestions relate to the Amphitheatre area only for the time being but may well be good ideas for hiking in the rest of the Berg too:

• A guiding system is set up that requires all those camping in that area to make use of a local guide, paid by the hikers, to provide security to them overnight. Perhaps these need to be Basutho people!
The user-pays principal needs to apply here. Nothing can be done without resources.

• Daily patrols to the chain ladders need to be undertaken to curb the crime there.
• The SAPS and SANDF need to conduct regular patrols along the international boundary and use deal with illegal immigrants.

We look forward to engaging with stakeholders on this matter.

Jimmy Carter once said: "Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries."

This is a big call and I applaud you for making it. Thanks for the honest chat this morning as well Stephen. As mentioned to you, I take "duty of care" very seriously and everyone needs to figure out for themselves what they regard as duty. You cannot deny this and at some stage we all need to make these decisions.

Adventure Works Africa stopped running guided hikes to the Drakensberg about a year ago already and one of the main reasons was client safety. Environmental issues are fine and we can deal with those but other life-threatening situations beyond our control is a different matter. Until we have more clarity on the way our authorities want to proceed with these matters I cannot leave my business vulnerable. I know many other guiding outfits will continue and that is fine, but ask yourself how you and your business will be affected if involved in an international incident. I am not prepared to take that risk and it is upsetting because this is in my own country. I certainly look forward to see what parks and other authorities ultimately decide, and I cannot wait to return to the Berg with international clients. We have had to be creative in finding ways to make up for this lost revenue and have succeeded to some extent, but outside our borders.

When I do a trip to the Simien Mountains we do many stretches with an armed guard. This is because their government takes the safety of international visitors seriously and does not want to lose the revenue stream from that type of tourism.
When I do a trip to Mount Ararat we can climb the mountain safely without getting our heads chopped off, despite it being a full blown war zone.
There are numerous other examples and in reality none of these are as beautiful as the Drakensberg.

I look forward to the ongoing debate and hoping to be around for the upcoming stakeholder's meeting. Good luck to Stephen and the other conservation managers and stakeholders in addressing these issues. Hopefully we can all play an active role in improving the safety in our own mountains.

We have unfortunately have had to make the decision to close the Amphitheatre region to all persons, until the security situation stabilises.

Does an approximate date can be given ? the next quarter, next year, forever ?

@KBresler

Thank you for your response and your support. It is deeply concerning to hear that your business (and no doubt many others) have been affected in this way. We are looking to all stakeholders to involve themselves in providing a long term solution to this problem.

kbresler wrote:
When I do a trip to the Simien Mountains we do many stretches with an armed guard. This is because their government takes the safety of international visitors seriously and does not want to lose the revenue stream from that type of tourism.
.

Interestingly we have a sister park in Ethiopia encompassing the Simien Mountains. How does it feel having an armed guard with you?

Ranger wrote:

kbresler wrote: When I do a trip to the Simien Mountains we do many stretches with an armed guard. This is because their government takes the safety of international visitors seriously and does not want to lose the revenue stream from that type of tourism.
.

Interestingly we have a sister park in Ethiopia encompassing the Simien Mountains. How does it feel having an armed guard with you?

I have been in Simien Too, the main purpose of a Scout there is to give a job to some male guys of the muslim community which is living just in the middle of a Christian Area. Then : entries, permit, fees etc are very well managed by the Park Authority in Debark. At last there are some wild animals which can be dangerous if you camp outside the reserved places. And you know oftenly the guards have very very old rifle, for instance Enfield N°1, which is not very new you know and they don't have many cartridges for them, even no cartridges at all. Sociological and Psychological matter only I guess.
And the Simien Escarpment is not wild at all

Ranger wrote:

kbresler wrote:
When I do a trip to the Simien Mountains we do many stretches with an armed guard. This is because their government takes the safety of international visitors seriously and does not want to lose the revenue stream from that type of tourism.
.

Interestingly we have a sister park in Ethiopia encompassing the Simien Mountains. How does it feel having an armed guard with you?

I don't like it but I am happy to stick to the rules, which allows me access. And if it improves overall safety that is a massive bonus.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

HI Team,

Not sure if this has been spoken about - see the link and appreciate any comments (that are constructive and helpful) This is not an opportunity for social media barrage.

southcoastherald.co.za/140117/terror-for-berg-hikers/

Thanks