Feasibility Study of Proposed Tourism Dev in Shewula, NE ...

Chapter 4 ■ Socio-Cultural Findings and Analysis
proposed reserve, because at present they are unarmed. Security along the border
could also be improved if the various secondary roads were upgraded. 88
b) Another reserve
There could be an additional reserve established at the border between Swaziland
and Mozambique. Alternatively; the proposed reserve could be moved to that side,
and the portion of land in question reserved for livestock grazing. Linked to this, was
the comment that 'the livestock should be kept on the western area, and the wildlife
on the eastern area, because nothing has changed with the cattle raiders.' The
suggestion was made that the tourism development could be built, as proposed, on
the land earmarked for the proposed reserve, but that a 'game' reserve should be
established on the eastern side of the mountain. The western side of the mountain
was previously used by a white farmer to graze cattle, but Shewula people only used
the eastern side.
c) 'ln-house' Experience
One respondent, who had worked for Hlane Royal National Park, indicated that he
thought he could give advice and provide job training for ranger positions in
Shewula. 89
d) Further discussions about placing cattle in the reserve
The suggestion was made that further discussions should be held with people who
farm cattle, and that the dip kraals are a good venue for such discussions.
e) The role of the Chief
The Chief could be an arbitrator for the proposed trust. The Chief is an SNTC
commissioner, and he could act as an advisor to those managing the reserve.
f) Comments regarding the site for tourism development
• The tourists should be able to see Mbuluzi Game Reserve.
• It should not be near the river because the sound of running water might disrupt
tourists while they sleep.
• It should be built in a place where the rangers will be, because they will then go to
it, and will intercept people coming from Mozambique.
It can be concluded that there is an awareness of the potential benefits of tourism
development, and there is also creative thinking about how the obstacles to both
community development and the proposed tourism development could be overcome.
This is an important starting-point for the general community's participation in the
planning of the development, and it demonstrates the importance of local knowledge
for achieving an effective, efficient planning process.
This is further discussed in the Development Needs Analysis, see Section 4.8. 89 Currently in the employ of the
Department of Agriculture this man is responsible for monitoring the Foot and Mouth Disease situation along the
border. He indicated that he would not really want to be a ranger for the community's reserve, unless he felt the
'pastures are greener" in which case he might consider changing jobs again.
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