I pass the Mzimkulu river every day and have a passing look to see how many fishermen are on the river that day as I am a keen on fishing and like to know what’s cooking there.
What I didn’t know is that this river that we are all aware of and sometimes lake for granted is in serious danger. I was told that although the upper reaches of the river are beautifully clear and unpolluted that as you progress down the river towards the mouth that it becomes more and more polluted and that the water quality is deteriorating fast. A meeting was held yesterday to discuss the matter and various steps are being undertaken by interested parties to fix the problem
The river has a fascinating history. Mzimkulu (The native name means “Great Home of All Rivers”)
Marble was discovered near the river mouth in 1867. In 1879 Wiliam Bazley (one of the world’s first underwater demolition experts) blasted away rock to form the breakwater.
The region’s growth arose largely out of the activity of local sugar, tea and coffee farmers. The farmers needed to transport their produce to the sea and as a result a port was developed inside the river mouth and a railway line was built to transport the produce some two kilometres to the sea.
Ships were wrecked regularly at the harbour entrance before the railway line was built and sank right there, blocking the harbour entrance.
From 1882 onwards settlers from Norway, Britain and Germany could buy plots suitable for farming for the princely sum of 7shillings and 6 pence an acre. Can you believe it?
Construction on the harbour mouth began in the 1880’s. The sea wall and South Wharf were bigger than Durban’s harbour at that time. Durban’s harbour facilities consisted of wooden landing stages only. The Port Natal railway line reached Port Shepstone in 1901. After the construction of this railway link the harbour fell into disuse and became progressively silted up.
That’s the background. Now it starts to get interesting. Anyone with half a mind will realise and has realised long ago the fantastic potential this river and it’s surroundings has for the futureeoh thew region. There are many and varied tourism and adventure companies offering a fascinating variety of things to do in and around the river. For example there are some original Rock art paintings from the San people to look at.
If you think of what Knysna, for instance has done with its waterfront the mind just boggles at the opportunities offered. The key principle to keep in mind is that conservation of the river and it’s surrounds must go hand in hand with development. It’s no good building a marina, shops and entertainment complex around a river and harbour mouth that is being progressively polluted.
Never fear! Spiller’s Wharf, together with the South Coast herald and various other interested parties have conceived a fantastic plan to Save The River. It involves an intensive survey of the river starting in its upper reaches and working its way down over a series of trips where experts in their fields (one hopes) will investigate what can be done to improve the quality of the water, remove alien vegetation and engage with local communities and business and property owners to progressively improve the situation.
The approach is to attack the problem by undertaking trips down the river on a regular basis which will have a substantial element of adventure and fun, which in turn will provide fascinating anecdotal copy for the media and the public to read and hopefully , act on as well. Potential sponsors will be approached for support. Its a “win,win” all round.
Up The River!!
Regards to all
