uMkhuze Environmental Education Camp

On behalf of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, I write this letter as a sign of how grateful I am, for all the contributions you have made to sustain the environmental education centre. I assure you that the mind set of communities neighbouring the park will be changed by the up and running of this camp. Sitting together, sharing the importance of conservation, tourism, environmental issues and their challenges will add value in their minds so that they can be part of solutions themselves. The camp held on the 12th to the 13th of July 2022 with KwaJobe traditional leadership was successful because of your contribution. In their comments before they left the senior Induna “he acknowledged how important is this educational centre because they have learnt a lot about conservation…he also said that we are leaving them with a challenge of sharing this valuable information to the community so that themselves can be buffer zone against poaching. He added the importance of this centre for conservation education gatherings. On the 14th 16TH July 2022 the youth followed and it also a success with a great excitement as it was their first time overnighting in park together for time first time as environmental club. The following is what they are saying as evidence from them.

I SYATHOKOZA SHELEMBE from kwaNgwenya conservation education club I'm here by saying that mkuze bush camp is everything that has happened in my life. Bush camp at mkuze game reserve i was experiencing nature in the environment that is not affected by pollution when I was in mkuze bush camp it feels like you own the world listening to different bird singing beautiful song it also release stress. Being inside bush camp at mkuze game reserve is the best you get to do such thing that other kids have been learning for years in university like being a guide because knowledge is power also you get used to work environment that why bush camp is important it gives other kids hope to never give up due to that they don't have qualifications. Bush camp gives us more time to be inside mkuze game reserve looking, enjoying what god has created that why i wish every youth can see this amazing feather it can change their mindset so that they can grow up having idea of protecting wild animals. Bush camp at mkuze game reserve really helped me in a matter that we shouldn't forget history about ourselves it's interesting story to tourists coming to visit mkuze game reserve how other mountain were named i wish to go back to mkuze game reserve for bush camp so that I can learn more about nature NEVER STOP LEARNING NO MATTER HOW OLD YOU ARE i thank you.

Our ride to Mkuze game reserve was very successful. It was so marvellous to be in a camp with other candidates, the more grateful moment was to gain more knowledge about nature and how to conserve it. I've experienced a lot of things that changed my mind on how I look nature. I got a lesson there tends to be those fragmentary, dilapidated environment around us that reside with the mundane in between spaces of our lives, that we often see but do not notice. That's the only way to be cognizant of the world around us. I swear if young people can get a chance to be in a camp they will come back with a perception of our surroundings, visual memories and the idea of constantly shifting images, forms and colours in nature. Being on a camp for a while helped me build my environmental knowledge, I also wish to go back to the camp for totally immersion experience with nature.

My name is Sihle Hlatshwayo I am Coming From KwaNgwenya environment club. I want to Share the Great adventure we had at Mkuze Game Reserve. We were taught about the background of Mkuze Game Reserve and that it was proclaimed a protected area in 1912. And that it is part of Isimangaliso Wetland park. What I liked about the camp is that we were united, all the activities that were done, we did them as a Team We took a walk to a big Forest Tree although it was a bit scary it was also calming. The bird calls were refreshing. We also learnt about different Trees and Animals based on their behaviour. The topic I liked the most was of African wild dogs. The Rangers told us that although wild dogs reproduce they are nearly extinct . I was confused because nothing eat a wild dog but they said they are poisoned by farmers and they are easily trapped in Snares and they have caught disease like Rabies. We Gained more Knowledge on the Camp and it will be our pleasure to do it again.

My name is Fanelesbonge Myeni from Kwangwenya environment club. I want to say something about Mkuze environmental education camp. Here is my point: 1. It promotes internal and external growth development beyond career. 2. Teaching us the awareness of self esteem. 3. Increase even great experience for outdoors and indoors activity based on environment. 4. It help us save environment to develop our social skills and decision making skills toward our environment. 5. It build a strong relationship between us as human beings and our beautiful environment. 6. It helps youth to gain nature appreciation and emotional intelligence skills such as empathy. 7. The camp give us some experience in recognizing professional values to be matured socially and emotional. 8.Developing competence in life skills to learn about nature and enhance our own abilities to the environment in community. 9. It help us to gain more information based on environmental protection.

Mkuze camp is very important to us and to everyone because this camp educate young people about nature and about their culture. The camp is collecting different people with different knowledge where by they will share what they have and moving forward to the future. We are young people and we are living in the rural where by everything is scarce such as programs where by government creating opportunities for the youth, so this camp is very helpful to us and to everyone because it's giving knowledge and inspiration. The problem we have is the youth unemployment rate is too high so the camp is educating and by that more opportunities will come. The lovely thing is that we are going to be successful by our nature and our culture that will show others how much the nature and culture is important.