The state of the environment keeps getting highlighted in different ways. At present, there is a lot said about climate change and human beings’ role in this change. It is not a nice story to tell, given the damage that the human species is responsible for. A week-long meeting that took place from 24-28 February 2025, in Durban, highlighted the state of the environment in a different but familiar way. The atmosphere and the urgency of the situation were just as serious as in talks about climate change. The 2025 National Land Reform and Biodiversity Stewardship Initiative (LRBSI) Learning Exchange, hosted by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), attracted speakers from a wide range of places, all coming to share information about anything that has to do with biodiversity, which is part of the climate. The event theme was ‘Biodiversity stewardship: a catalyst for transformation in conservation. The initiative was established in response to the conservation challenges in land reform and communal areas. It aims to bridge a gap between socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation. The initiative focuses on land reform projects in critical biodiversity areas, seeking to find a balance between economic development and conservation of ecosystem functions essential to human existence.
There were speakers from the government, the private sector, and higher education. Sithembile Nkosi, a Lecturer in the Department of Nature Conservation in the Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences, presented a paper titled ‘Resources Mobilisation and SMME Development’. Nkosi highlighted her work with isolated rural communities in Wakkerstroom in the Mpumalanga province. Nkosi said these communities have wildfire challenges that destroy the infrastructure, ecosystems, and livestock.
In terms of the name of the meeting, Nkosi said the connection between resource mobilisation, SMMEs, and the environment was vital for achieving sustainable development goals. “By mobilizing resources effectively, we can support SMMEs in adopting sustainable practices and developing green technologies. This, in turn, helps to mitigate environmental impacts and promote a healthier planet.”
According to Nkosi, land reform and biodiversity stewardship face significant sustainability challenges, including land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and climate change impacts. “Collaborative efforts are essential to develop and implement sustainable practices. Land reform often aims to address historical injustices and economic disparities. Engaging multiple sectors helps ensure that solutions are inclusive and equitable, benefiting marginalized communities,” Nkosi said.