The Ramsar certificate, granted to globally significant wetlands and rivers, acknowledges the area's environmental value and the community’s efforts in conservation.

Located between Port Edward and Port St John's, the reserve spans over 7 000 hectares of unspoilt landscape, home to rare and endangered species, and nurtures fragile wetland ecosystems.

Chairperson of the Mkhambathi Land Trust, Zamokuhle Nzekeni, welcomed the recognition and emphasised the economic potential it brings.

"It's a great pleasure for the community because we see that there are opportunities that come with this declaration of a Ramsar site for the communities around Mkambathi, which are led by us," said Nzekeni. "They will benefit a lot from this project, and a lot of job creation will happen, particularly for the youth. They will benefit from this project."


--ChannelAfrica--