African Wildlife & Environment Issue 81

WESSA LEADERSHIP FWF NE SLETT R 2 (2022)

The Hilton College Isivivane –WESSA e-STEAM in action In 2018,WESSA uMngeni Valley and Hilton College conceptualised the Isivivane Journey (Throw a stone onto the monument). Annually, the Grade 10 boys hike approximately 200 km and ‘journey’ from the Hilton College campus, through uMngeni Valley, into the Karkloof and Albert Falls areas. The boys collect a stone from Mount Gilboa, the highest summit in the Karkloof Range (1,765 metres above sea level) and carry it ‘home’ to ‘throw it onto their monument.’ While the boys are hiking, cycling, zip- lining, canoeing, and camping, they are also fully immersed in nature where the WESSA guides educate the groups on the importance of water resource management, invasive alien protection, indigenous forest protection and biodiversity protection across at least 8 different habitats. The WESSA e-STEAM Programme is also fully integrated into the hike, where each group conducts a series of field surveys and a full catchment study of the upper uMngeni River,

from Howick Falls to Albert Falls Dam, including the Karkloof, Yarrow, Molweni and uMshwati Streams, while also considering the importance of environmental education and protection. On Tuesday, 31 August 2021, we completed the 15-day Isivivane, where nature threw all her elements at us, from 34 degree berg wind days, to -2 degree nights, rain, wind, snow, sleet, fog and beautiful sunny winter days. We had it all, but got the teams through safely, and contributed to their personal growth, and their own mindfulness towards Nature. On behalf of WESSA uMngeni Valley and Hilton College, I would like to thank the Ford Wildlife Foundation for the use of their 4x4 Double Cab Ranger, which has been integral to the success of this programme.

Matthew Cocks WESSA Education Centres General Manager

8 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 81 (2022)