JILL GOWANS

"There is tension from people who are deprived, poor, and lack resources - even ordinary firewood - and who see animals as something to kill and eat" Alex Thembela, new chairperson of the KZN Nature Conservation Service

The first chairperson of the province's new nature conservation service - which brings management of 6657 square kilometres of protected land under one umbrella - brings a childhood love of nature to his new task.

As a barefoot, sometimes naked boy, Alex Thembela grew up in the 1930's in a place called Hammarsdale outside Durban.

"It was all full of nature," he said. "We breathed good fresh air and drank pure spring water and saw animals and birds. We did our swimming in the Umlazi River. I had no idea about conservation but admired nature.

"My parents passed away when I was a little boy so I was brought up by an aunt on her smallholding. We ploughed fields and planted mealies and sweet potatoes; in the autumn ate food fresh from the soil. Each time I go there now with all the urbanisation I feel like weeping."

After attending the local primary school, Thembela went to Mariannhill College which, in those days before the Nationalist government's Bantu Education policy, provided both secondary school and teacher training.

"I got trained as a teacher and moved around the country teaching Zulu and English at secondary school level," he said. "Because of the system I even taught maths about which I didn't know anything."

In 1965 he joined the University of Zululand and was there for 32 years, the last eleven as vice-rector in charge of Academic Affairs and Research. He retired in 1996 but still serves on the University's council, on the SABC Board and the KZN Tender Board.

His busy academic career did not leave much time for enjoyment of nature and the open air so he answered a call from the office of the provincial ministry of Traditional and Environmental Affairs with surprised interest.

He was asked whether he would accept nomination by Minister Inkosi Nyanga Ngubane to the board of the new KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service. This is the recent amalgamation of the Natal Parks Board and the KwaZulu Department of Nature Conservation and brings 6657 square kilometres - 8,3 per cent of the province - under one umbrella. When the names of the board were announced last weekend, Thembela was named by Minister Ngubane as chairperson.

"I must say I have no background in nature conservation as such but I've always loved plants and animals, though I prefer plants, especially flowers," he said. "When my wife says 'we must cut that shrub' I say: 'Don't destroy life. They are living things."

"The Minister said he wanted someone from outside conservation, to help bring some community and education perspective. With my background and as past president of the Natal African Teachers' Union for 17 years I think I can do that.

"We have not met as a board to formulate and articulate our vision, but the task of a conservation service is to promote environmental protection and conservation of nature so that it is left as a heritage for future generations. Our main function as a board is to direct mangement.

"A secondary objective is to broaden it to all the people who up to now have been perceived as being excluded. The present generation should have places to go to enjoy and admire nature as well as have spiritual edification. But there is tension from people who are deprived, poor and lack resources, even ordinary firewood, and who see animals as something to kill and eat. They need to learn through the process of education, that, in the long term, conservation is to their benefit.

"The thrust will therefore be that of involving communities. The act (KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Act) provides for the establishment of local community committees and their input will be essential.

"Transformation is an agonising thing and people do get hurt. On the other hand we need to bring on board people who have not developed an interest in nature, who have been removed from their rural pasts. We will need a conscious campaign put into place to restore their appreciation of nature."

The new board will meet for the first time in August. And, for the first time in the history of the province's conservation agencies, meetings will be open to the public.

"We're committed to transformation and transparency," said Thembela, whose name means 'the trusted one'.

Report by JILL GOWANS, Environment Writer, The Sunday Tribune