Keynote address by Mr Narend Singh, MP, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, During the commemoration of the designation of Mkambati Nature Reserve as the first Ramsar site in the Eastern Cape, In Mkambati
Programme Director
His Majesty Daluxolo Sigcau
MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism: Nonkqubela Pieters
Head of Department for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism: Mickey Mama
Chairperson and members of the Mkambati Land Trust
Chief Executive Officer for the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Vuyani Dayimani
ECPTA Chairperson of the Board: Advocate Sonwabile Mancotywa
ECPTA Executive Directors
Executive Major: OR Tambo District: Mr Mesuli Ngqondwana
Executive Major: Ingquza Hill Local Municipality: Ms Prudence Pepping
Members of the Mayoral Committee
Officials from various departments, municipalities and other institutions
Traditional Leaders
Educators and Learners from surrounding schools
Members of the community
Members of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good afternoon
In 1975 South Africa, together with 6 other counties, officially agreed to the world’s first international treaty dedicated to the conservation and protection of wetlands. This agreement is known as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and it was formed in recognition of the vital importance of those areas of land that are covered with water-either some or all of the time, which we know as “wetlands”- Without water there cannot be life. Wetlands ensure our collective future. Wetlands provide a source of clean water, allow livestock to graze when other land may be parched, serve as sources of inspiration and spiritual connection, provide habitat for biodiversity and provide income-generating opportunities through sustainable tourism, nature-based enterprises and jobs generated through restoration and stewardship. A water-scarce country such as South Africa has its own welfare directly tied to the health of its wetlands. This is particularly true for the Wild Coast. Whilst other rivers in South Africa have large amounts of water that come from other countries like Lesotho, the Wild Coast only has water from the Rivers and aquifers that are found here.
The Ramsar Convention has one very special programme which aims to identify and designate wetlands that are of particular global importance – these wetlands are known as Ramsar Sites. In 1975 South Africa brough two sites to the global table – one in the Western Cape, and another in North West. During the subsequent years additional significant wetlands were found, studied, and designated in Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Free State, Limpopo and Gauteng. But we have left the best for last!
Today we have come together to celebrate an important achievement — the designation of Mkambati Nature Reserve as the first Ramsar site in the province of the Eastern Cape. The designation is an acknowledgement that the wetlands that occur at Mkambati, of which there are many, have unique ecological, cultural and socio-economic values which place it on the world map of internationally recognised wetlands.
Wetlands are important for the areas in which they occur, but by virtue of their designation as Ramsar sites, they are important to all of humanity. So, what made Mkambati qualify as a Ramsar site? Nestled in the beautiful Wild Coast, Mkambati is part of a very special area - there are plant and animal species that occur here and no where else in the world, in addition Mkambati has some very special types of wetlands including the rare swamp forests, it has multiple estuaries and is one of the few places in the world where you find waterfalls falling directly into the sea! When we started looking into the designation of Mkambati, the Department of Water and Sanitation assisted our Department with water quality monitoring of the rivers in Mkambati and they found that the water found here is very clean. The wetlands inside the Reserve are also in a good condition. A recent assessment of biodiversity in South Africa has shown that wetlands and estuaries are the most threatened and least protected ecosystem in the country. At a time when wetlands face multiple threats from pollution, litter, poor agricultural practices and from building houses, roads and businesses in wetlands, finding wetlands that are in a good condition is rare and they must be cherished.
The convention provides encouragement to recognise the importance of wetlands and encourage their conservation. The convention however recognises the need to conserve wetlands must be balanced with the need for economic development. Where wetlands need to be used, the Convention asks that we use them wisely. What does this mean? This means that if we burn wetlands we shouldn’t do it every year, we should keep wetlands clean enough for people and animals, we should avoid overgrazing wetlands as this damages the soil and we should teach our children, our future leaders, about wetlands.
Inclusive economic growth and job creation can go hand-in-hand with conserving biodiversity. Government's Environmental Programmes are a powerful example of how thousands of job opportunities can be created at the same time as restoring degraded ecosystems. In the Eastern Cape Province alone, 1 467 hectares in 37 wetlands have been restored. In recognition of the importance of Mkambati, Environmental Programmes' Infrastructure Projects have committed R17-million toward improvements to infrastructure and visitor access in the Reserve.
I would like to take this opportunity to share that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment remains committed to reimagining the Wild Coast region. Many of you will know about the Wild Coast Conservation and Development Initiative, which the Department is leading together with its entities, the Eastern Cape provincial and local government, conservation authorities, traditional leaders and the communities who call this region home.
This is a shared effort. We are working towards an integrated approach to conservation and development — one that is practical, inclusive and balanced. It is about protecting our biodiversity while also supporting economic growth, improving social wellbeing, and advancing broader development priorities in this remarkable region.
We recognise and appreciate the people of Mkambati for their leadership and ongoing stewardship. We also acknowledge the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency for managing the reserve on behalf of the Mkambati Land Trust. This partnership — together with the contributions of traditional leaders, scientists, officials and community members — shows how co-governance can deliver real, lasting conservation outcomes.
Earlier this year, the Department received the official Ramsar Site certificates from the Ramsar Secretariat in Switzerland. These certificates represent international recognition of this site and the collective effort behind this achievement.
It is now my honour to formally hand over these certificates to:
- The Mkambati Land Trust
- The MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms Nonkqubela Pieters
- The Executive Mayor of OR Tambo District, Mr Mesuli Ngqondwana
- The Executive Mayor of Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, Ms Prudence Pepping
- The Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Mr Vuyani Dayimani
- His Majesty Daluxolo Sigcau
Let us take pride in this milestone and renew our shared commitment to protecting Mkambati’s wetlands — for today and for future generations. Together, we can ensure that these landscapes continue to support life, culture and opportunity for many years to come.
Thank you.
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