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KEY WEAKNESSES (ISSUES & CHALLENGES)Centralised budget hinders management actions and limits future planning.As a result of the reserve’s history, invasive alien species continue to be a problem.There are four catchments within the area, but they are not managed or monitored.The reserve is not entirely fenced-in (as a result of the topography of the area), and localsaccess the reserve and plant Cannabis illegally.Illegal grazing by cattle within the reserve.Poaching, illegal harvesting of medicinal plants and theft.OPPORTUNITIESTo consolidate the reserve with the Wolkberg, Thabina and Bewaarskloof Nature Reserves.High tourism potential.Old infrastructure and ruins can be marketed for its tourism potential and registered as heritagefeatures according to provincial and national legislation.Environmental Education (EE) in surrounding communities and farm owners within the reserve.A catchment area is located just outside the boundary of the reserve. A proposal has been putforward to include this area into the reserve, based on its high conservation value and the factthat it is being degraded by the surrounding local communities.THREATSPoaching of wildlife by neighbouring communities.Uncontrolled fires may enter the reserve from surrounding areas.High demand of natural resources from within the reserve.Erosion and decreased ground cover.No effective structure to handle land claimants.Individuals have commercialised orchards to other communities, which is currently a source ofconflict.Reserve Management Documents: Legalameetse Nature Reserve (Strategic Plan) 27
3. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FRAMEWORK3.1 PurposeA number of farms were expropriated in the early 1980’s and earmarked for inclusion in the formerLebowa homeland, including the properties on which the LNR is located. The LNR was subsequentlyproclaimed as a South African Development Trust Reserve over these properties in 1984 for thefollowing reasons:It forms a logical link to the Wolkberg Nature Reserve to the west.It forms part of Drakensberg Mountain Range.It contains areas of historical importance, e.g. the Orrie Barragwanath Pass to the LeydsdorpGoldfields.It is regarded as a catchment area of high importance.In present times, the value of the LNR as a conservation area can also be attributed to the following:It includes a portion of the vulnerable Tzaneen Sour Bushveld, a threatened and protectedecosystem.It includes portions of the endangered Tzaneen Sour Bushveld (which is regarded as beingpoorly protected) and the vulnerable Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld vegetation units.It contains portions of the poorly protected Poung Dolomite Mountain Bushveld and NorthernMistbelt Forest vegetation units.A total of 13 threatened reptile, amphibian, bird and/or mammal species occur at the reserve.It has been earmarked for expansion as part of the North-Eastern Escarpment Area by theNational Protected Area Expansion Strategy (NPAES).It is located within a National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Area (FEPA), an Upstream FEPA, aPhase 2 FEPA and a Fish Support Area.It is dissected by the critically endangered Ngwabitsi River, the endangered Ga-Selati River andthe vulnerable Makhutswi River.It is regarded as playing an important role in terms of ecological processes associated with thefollowing: Hydrology; dolomite and ridges and escarpments. It is furthermore also located in acentre of endemism.The reserve contains areas classified as “irreplaceable” in terms of Critical Biodiversity Values.It is regarded as playing an important social support role in local and surrounding communities.It forms part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve and is therefore of internationalimportance.It is regarded as having a high income potential.3.2 Reserve ValuesThe following key values of the LNR were identified by the RPT:Reserve Management Documents: Legalameetse Nature Reserve (Strategic Plan) 28
Page 2 and 3: AUTHORIZATIONThis Strategic Plan (S
Page 7 and 8: ABBREVIATIONS AND PLANNING TERMSABB
Page 9 and 10: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYReserve Management
Page 11 and 12: This SP has the following structure
Page 13 and 14: 2. CONTEXTUAL FRAMEWORK2.1 Location
Page 15 and 16: Agriculture Laws Extension Act, 199
Page 17 and 18: democratic elections, management of
Page 19 and 20: Wolkberg Dolomite Grassland (Figure
Page 21 and 22: Granite Lowveld (VU - Vulnerable)Gr
Page 23 and 24: Table 4 (contd.):Plant species of c
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Page 33 and 34: Figure 7: Use zone map for the Lega
Page 35 and 36: KPA 1: BIODIVERSITY AND HERITAGE CO
Page 37 and 38: Management actions and targetsKPA 1
Page 39 and 40: (ii) Under the direction of the Soi
Page 41 and 42: KPA 2: SUSTAINABLE USEGuiding princ
Page 45 and 46: (ii) Establish and maintain a medic
Page 47 and 48: KPA 3: ENFORCEMENT, SECURITY AND AC
Page 49 and 50: Objective 3.2: Sustain an effective
Page 53 and 54: KPA 5: STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENTGuidi
Page 55 and 56: (iii) Hold quarterly (more regular
Page 57 and 58: KPA 6: ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNINGG
Page 59 and 60: Objective 6.3: Institute and mainta
Page 61 and 62: 5.2 Funding RequirementsIt is propo
Page 63 and 64: RESERVEMANAGEMENTPLANCOMPONENTSP /
Page 65 and 66: ANNEXURE 1: ZONATION CATEGORIES (CH
Page 67 and 68: Development - High IntensityUsers:
Page 69: Special Protection / Special Manage

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