BuaNews (Tshwane), KwaZulu-Natal - The newly restituted Somkhanda Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal has become the proud new owner of 11 black rhinos, donated to boost tourism in the area.

History was made on Thursday when the black rhinos were released into the game reserve, making it the first community-owned land to become a partner in the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)/ Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Black Rhino Range Expansion Project.

The project aims to increase land available for black rhino conservation, thus reducing pressure on existing reserves and providing new territory in which the animals can rapidly increase in number.

The Somkhanda Game Reserve is owned by the Gumbi community which successfully claimed five commercial game farms under the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs' Land Restitution programme.

Rather than transforming the property into suitable settlement and farming land, the community leaders decided to zone their land for economic sustainability.

The zones include areas for conservation, development and commercial cattle farming.

"Empowering black communities to become stakeholders is a priority in conservation, and Somkhanda is an example where it is really starting to happen," said WWF's Dr Jacques Flamand, leader of the project.

Head of the Gumbi royal family iNkosi Zebelon Gumbi said, "When the land was gone, there were no opportunities. Now there are opportunities. There is work in security protecting animals from poachers. And there is work at the lodges.

"We have set aside some land for farming and settlement, and some for development projects which will boost the Gumbi economy. We are asking our people to think like businesspeople.

"We are living in modern times. It is not just building a place and relying on cattle any more. Now we ask people to work and get money."

Director of Somkhanda Game Reserve Nathi Gumbi said that "when the Gumbis were moved from their land, we had no choice.

"But thank God the white people who took our land also loved it. So our land is still beautiful. Now we have the land back and we shall also love it and look after it as our ancestors loved it."

According to the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project, the founding population of black rhino belongs to Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife.

When the population grows, the ownership of the offspring is shared in half between the Gumbi community and Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife.

"But the reality is that these animals belong to all of us - to KwaZulu-Natal, to South Africa, to Africa, to our children and our children's children," said Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Rejoice Mabudafhasi.

The deputy minister said the rhinos are a part of South Africa's heritage, responsibility and privilege.

"The Gumbi leadership has shown the courage and foresight to accept that opportunity and that responsibility and we salute you for that. It may not always be easy. There will be challenges and setbacks. It will be hard work. But it will be worth it.

"As the first community to become partners in this important project, you are pioneering a way that we hope many others will follow," she said.

The black rhino is still critically endangered, although numbers have increased to about 3 700, from a low point of around 2 500 in the 1990s.

Partnerships, both with private and communal landowners, are essential for the future of conservation said Chief Executive Officer of Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Khulani Mkhize.

"For conservation to grow and thrive in our beautiful country, with all its opportunities and challenges, local communities must become significant stakeholders with a real interest in ensuring the future of conservation. This is an example of that principle in action, and we are proud and excited to be part of it," he said.

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