The Inanda Wilderness Park was reopened last month after 3 years of being decommissioned; the space was used as an illegal dump and crime haven but today, it is a safe green space for the community.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (04 April 2023) – Green Corridors recently announced the reopening of the Inanda Wilderness Park, a much-appreciated community focal point in Ward 44, at a small gathering of partners, community members and people representing local leadership, schools and the elderly.
As gatherings could not be held during the hard lockdown periods of the COVID pandemic, the site was vulnerable to vandalism, and it was thus decommissioned. Now with a focused strategy to inject new life into the site, Green Corridors will reignite its programmes so that the local community especially school groups, and the elderly will be able to benefit from its offerings.
The concept of the Inanda Wilderness Park is that it is a unique multigenerational park facility that focuses on the promotion of health and wellness through an important partnership with the eThekwini Municipality, Green Corridors, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and new partners Kinship Programme. It takes a therapeutic approach through the provision of occupational therapy and environmental education through programmes promoting human development, ecology and sustainable living.
“The land belongs to Inanda Seminary School, and through the IWP programme we are able to manage this underutilized open space, which would otherwise be a hotspot for criminal activity or illegal dumping,” explains Nomfundo Phewa of Green Corridors.
“We are bringing people closer to the open environment to harness the therapeutic healing abilities of nature. We do this by the preservation of our biodiversity and exposing children to the open environment from an early age so they are able to value and understand the open environment. This space is conserved as a natural habitat to provide a safe recreation space for children, the elderly and visitors to the area, as well as small animals and birds.”
The site is situated at the headwaters of the Gobhogobho River and is operated by Green Corridors. The park and its programmes will be managed by Wilderness Parks Coordinator Nompilo Ngcobo and Youth Mentor Nhlakanipho Machi with support from three wilderness parks site assistants.
Green Corridors will be working closely with the local community to ensure the continued integrity of the park. Physical activities for the elderly such as exercise and vegetable cultivation will be offered in conjunction with Masisizane Service /Drop in Centre, a day facility for the elderly in this area. Learner groups from schools will be able to take part in environmental education as well as use the park for physical development programmes.
The IWP will be open Mondays to Fridays, from 07h00 – 15h00
Green Corridors always welcomes volunteers to work within its many programmes which aim to connect people to their natural environment. To become involved email iwp@durbangreencorridor.co.za For more information go to www.greencorridors.co.za
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