Beach Clean-up September 2014

The Honorary Officers and staff of Amatigulu facilitated a clean-up of the riverine areas of the Amatigulu Nature Reserve in September. Fifty and more university students from the University of KwaZuluNatal participated as volunteers in this activity. They were joined by 20 school pupils from the nearby schools. 

The students were briefed by Dumisani before moving out into the bush to collect litter. He was assisted by HO's Calvin Harris, Paul Johnstone, and Paul Risi.

HO weekend away at Bonamanzi Nature Reserve

Our first annual social weekend away, was held at Bonamanzi NR near Hluhluwe. Bonamanzi is a well-known birding site (recognized by BirdLife South Africa) and is also a recommended site for tree spotters, being acknowledged by the Dendrological Society of KwaZuluNatal as a unique site for tree lovers.
The camping at Bonamanzi is exceptional. One is surrounded by amazing bird life, and magnificent sandveld forest. Nylala, Zebra, and Red Duiker abound, and leopards are common in the reserve.

A highlight of the weekend was being able to watch the Boks smoke New Zealand from a bush bar above a lake with monster crocs - how cool is that!?

 

The pool camp area with Greg's camp in the background and the modern ablution block in the right foreground. The site has some magnificent Acacia robusta trees, Torch trees and Marulas.

Each site has a level area and a built-in braai as well as a light and electricity supply.

Hammocks fit well between the trees!

Peter Saville, our Vice - Chairman, conducting a private meeting from the hammock.

The group secretary, Priscilla, showing some reluctance to get back to work!

Yvonne Saville preparing some scrambled egg on the quiet.

The engaged couple multi-tasking at the skottel. Greg and Jackie.

Greg was not beyond charming the secretary.

Pete Saville sorting out some bacon for himself.

Peter Coulon enjoying the vibe!

On a short excursion to Hluhluwe, we came across this mother rhino and her young. Check the horn of this female!!

We saw 33 rhino in that one morning!

Another female with a very tired little man!

Rotary Family Health Day at Amatigulu Nature Reserve April 2014

The Rotary Clubs of South Africa facilitate local Family health days annually in South Africa.

Rotary Ballito, in conjunction with the Honorary Officers of Amatigulu Nature Reserve, hosted a Family health day in the reserve in April.

Working together with the Department of Health, 10 practitioners provided medical services to 78 local citizens free of charge. The services ranged from AIDS testing to pregnancy tests, child nutrition, diabetes and blood pressure testing and several others.

Where necessary, patients are referred on to clinics for further testing.

A nurse from the DoH testing one of the field rangers from Amatigulu NR

DoH staff worked from a number of stations in the education centre.

Local residents were ready and waiting long before the clinic opened for business. Some came by tractor, some by truck and some walked kilometers in order to attend.

HO and Rotarian Paul Risi used his vehicle to collect patients and deliver them to the site of the temporary clinic.

Conservation workshop for senior Citizens of the Amatigulu area.

The Amatigulu HO Group hosted a conservation workshop for senior citizens on 17 December 2013. the workshop was held in the Education Centre and was hosted in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and the Environment from Stanger. Delani Ndlovu from the department arranged for 35 senior citizens to join the workshop.

Clive Watson and the senior ranger addressing the senior citizens

Delani Ndlovu of the Dept of Agriculture who acted as organizer and interpreter  during the event.

Several of the senior citizens during the workshop

The senior citizens were provided with lunch on the day

The representative of the senior citizens thanking the HO's and the reserve staff for the workshop.

Although many of the seniors could not speak English, they were able to understand the concepts from the visuals presented during the workshop. Delani was an able and entertaining interpreter. 

Each senior citizen was presented with a potted tree for planting back home. They were given mango and orange trees.

Food parcels for Amatigulu Staff - December 2013

Rotary Ballito donated food parcels to senior staff at Amatigulu Nature Reserve as a token of their appreciation for all that the staff do for conservation throughout the year. these parcels were presented to OIC Conservation, Mabhida Ntenga and his staff by group Chairman, Clive Watson.

Needless to say, the parcels were gratefully received.