MZANZI ISSUE 16

MOVEMENTS TOWARD
CONSERVATION
Sasolburg
Vierfontein
Viljoenskroon
Parys
Vredefort
Koppies
NGWATHE
Oranjeville
Heilbron
Villiers
MAFUBE
Frankfort
Cornelia
MOQHAKA
Edenville
Tweeling
Kroonstad
A spontaneous movement towards the
establishment of conservation areas has
recently emerged from within the Fezile
Dabi District.
Steynsrus
Presently a total of four registered conservation
areas exist in the Fezile Dabi District Municipality area.
The most important move came from the two clusters
of farmers in the Heilbron district when Ghoya Africa
and Francolin Creek conservancies were established to
preserve the unique grassland and historical heritage of
the area. Francolin Creek Conservancy is named after
the Francolin bird that occurs in abundance on the
conservancy. Ghoya Africa Conservancy is named for
the Leghoya ruins scattered around the conservancy –
the remains of ancient corbelled huts once inhabited by
the Iron Age Leghoya people. Activities offered by the
conservancies include game drives, horse trails, hiking
trails, 4x4 trails, fishing, picknicking and mountain biking.
Another conservancy is Deneysville (a small town),
which is situated on the banks of the Vaal Dam. This is
a registered urban conservancy with a plethora of bird
life, with 240 bird species. The annual bird count takes
place in January attracting bird buffs from around South
Africa. It is a common occurrence to see hedgehog, hare
and porcupine wandering in town. The ruins of the San’s
and Khoikho’s stone dwellings can be seen in the area.
There is also an interesting exhibition of artifacts in the
Deneysville library.
Wild Waters is also a conservancy situated on the
banks of the Vaal river in the Vredefort Dome, which
has a large variety of game. Activities include fishing,
fly-fishing, game drives and river rafting.
The Vredefort Dome Conservancy is located near Parys
and straddles both the North West Province and the
Free State across the Vaal River. This conservancy was
established by some landowners of the Vredefort Dome
World Heritage Site, which has been listed as South
Africa’s 7th International World Heritage Site.
Although the conservancy only covers a small part
of the Vredefort Dome Meteorite Impact Structure, it
represents the more visible central granite core and other
above ground geological formations, as well as certain
interesting and aesthetically pleasing landscapes and
diverse ecosystems. It is also relatively close to tourism
markets and access routes and has more recently been
growing its tourism products. Apart from its natural
beauty, the conservancy also offers a rich cultural backdrop
comprising a number of interesting archaeological and
mining sites and historical aspects.