RUSTENBURG HERALD - KGASWANE NATURE RESERVE - Rustenburg communities are well-aware of the devastating fire that swept through Kgaswane Reserve at the end of September, destroying infrastructure and 60% of grazing in the reserve.
Approximately 85% of natural veld has been destroyed by the fire and private fire fighters braved scorcing temperatures and flames for hours on end to bring the fire under control.
Emelang Malefo, Acting Reserve Manager, explained that the fire came at a very difficult time of the year before any rain had fallen and at a time when the female animals were about to give birth.
This placed a great strain on the mothers and the young antelope.
An urgent need was identified by the Kgaswane Rangers to provide supplementary feeding to the animals, especially the eland and sable, some of whom had already calved. The impala are also just about to have their young and there is not enough grazing available.
Messages were sent out via various forums and on social media wherein the public was informed of the “disaster” and requested assistance by contributions and donations. Through the well run and managed Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust, these donations ring fenced for Kgaswane Fire.
“The response has been absolutely overwhelming with over R20 000 having been collected so far,” Dr Jon Andrews of the Kgaswane Advisory Committee told Rustenburg Herald. Andrews pointed out that these generous donations would enable a feeding programme over the next four weeks, delivering more than 1,6 tonnes of supplementary feed in the form of game pellets to the animals. “In particular, prominent feed suppliers, Obaro and Oester Voere have assisted by providing pellets at basically cost price,” Andrews said.
The first 480 kg of feed pellets was delivered on 22 October and distributed by Mr Phineas Phago, the Field Rangers, and members of the Kgaswane Advisory Committee at six feeding sites within the park. The sites are located within good viewing distance of the visitor roads and the visitors and donors will enjoy seeing many animals in these areas. The generous donation of “kuilvoer” delivered by Ben van der Walt, is already being enjoyed by many animals. Emalang said that the programme will greatly assist and hopefully with good rain, the grass and trees will restore themselves in the weeks to come.
In addition to the funds, donations of feed itself have been received from several individuals and groups namely David Smith and Heyn Wolmerans, Clive Richter, Ben van der Walt and Thomas Schlotfeldt and the “Ou Riviere group” supported by the Local Choice Pharmacy and Greenforce Fuel. This has come just in time as many zebra have new born foals and the hartebeest have now also calved. The game has started feeding well on the pellets and feed already put out in the veld, which will help support the feeding mothers and their young ones.
During the Kgaswane fire, no human lives were lost and no-one was injured, but tragically, the Advisory Committee learnt with great sadness that a member of the North West Umbrella Fire Protection Association passed away and several were injured while fighting a fire near Zeerust in the North West province. It is really important that our communities realise the danger and devastation that these wild fires cause and that they take extreme care during the fire season not to leave open flames, braais, candles, cigarette buts and empty glass bottles in the veld.
Rustenburg nature lovers who wish to make a contribution towards the fund - note that donations can
still be made to:
Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust Account
First National Bank
Account Number: 62031121255
Branch Code: 250655
REFERENCE: KGASWANE FIRE
