Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
27 June 2025 | 11:30 CAT
2 min read

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, once a shining example of South Africa’s natural heritage, is facing an ecological crisis, with concerns now being raised in Parliament by Action SA over siltation, invasive reeds and the declining fish populations in Lake St Lucia.

Bheki Manzini, representing the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, spoke to Radio Islam, clarifying the park’s current state. “iSimangaliso is one of the protected areas found in the province of KwaZulu-Natal along the coast. It starts from Maphelane, which is on the southern side of St Lucia, and runs right up to the Mozambique border on the northern side of the park,” he explained.

Declared South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in 1999, the park gained its status after UNESCO assessments acknowledged the region’s unique biodiversity and conservation efforts. However, mounting environmental pressures have led to alarm over its sustainability.

Addressing the state of Lake St Lucia, Manzini acknowledged that while challenges do exist, the situation may not be as dire as portrayed. “The lake’s mouth is open, and it has been open for almost a year now. So basically, the system is slowly restoring itself in terms of addressing those ecological challenges that we have experienced in the past,” he said.

He explained that earlier challenges stemmed from a prolonged period of drought — lasting nearly a decade — during which the mouth of Lake St Lucia remained closed. This disconnection from the sea disrupted natural ecological processes and limited the inflow of marine species. “With that came challenges of its own, which we had to look into and collectively, with other partners, try to address,” Manzini noted.

To restore balance, the Authority undertook dredging operations and opened the lake’s mouth to promote water exchange. “That would include the dredging of the system that we did recently so that we could encourage that exchange of species, your marine species, into the lake system,” he said.

Manzini confirmed that flooding, particularly backwater flooding, has had a real impact on both the ecosystem and communities. “It is a reality—the issue of back-flooding dates back decades. With global warming and other environmental developments across the world, we are not immune to that,” he added.

Recent heavy rainfall in KwaZulu-Natal has exacerbated these problems. “Farming communities in the floodplain have been affected, with so much water inundating their farms. At the same time, tourism and fishing communities benefit from higher water levels due to improved navigability and fish migration,” he explained.

Given the competing interests, Manzini said the Authority has had to mediate and consult widely. “We had to call all the interested parties to ensure that we find solutions that address the needs of every stakeholder,” he said.

Rehabilitation work is actively underway. “There are a number of projects. We also involve other partners such as Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, White Trust, and local communities,” Manzini confirmed.

The Authority has also partnered with academic institutions, including the University of Zululand, to provide ongoing research that informs conservation strategies. “Amongst the interventions is a cleaning and clearing programme wherein we have employed local people,” he said, highlighting efforts to remove invasive species and debris that disrupt natural water flow and biodiversity.

Manzini added that a robust monitoring system helps the park track the presence and health of fish and other aquatic species. “The reports that we get from the monitoring system inform our estuary management plan, which guides efforts across both Lake St Lucia and the Kozi Bay estuary in the north,” he said.

Manzini appealed to all involved to work together to find long-lasting, sustainable solutions.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Junaid Kharsany and Bheki Manzini, iSimangaliso spokesperson, here.