Lubombo TFCA

Change activity: Strengthening ecosystem resilience at a 3 country landscape level

through ecotourism in the proposed Mambane-Catuane-Usuthu Transfrontier (UTF)
Community Conservation Area (MCU-TFCCA)
Progress:
The Lubombo TFCA was fully represented by 4 people from the 3 countries Roldofo
Cumbane (Mozambique), Thembani Mzulwini (South Africa, his attendance was
erratic due to busy schedule), Nomsa Mabila (Swaziland) and Seth . (Process
Moderator, Swaziland).
As of January 2014 a meeting with the South African and Mozambican counterparts
was held at Siteki Eco-Lubombo for discussing the change project idea. South Africa
(Thembani Mzulwini) could not make it to this meeting but Mozambique was
represented by Rodolfo Cumbane. There were a few stakeholders on the Swaziland
side; COSPE, an Italian NGO working in the communities of the Lubombo especially
in Mbabane and Mhlumeni communities promoting income generating activities
(IGAs) linked to tourism and the sustainable utilisation of natural resources. The
Lubombo Conservancy, conservation NGO in the Lubombo currently running the
eco-Lubombo program funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund was also
present. There was discussion and agreement around the climate change adaptation
change project. The project aim was discussed in detail in order to eliminate biases
that might arise since different communities, countries and stakeholders are involved
in the project, on the 3 communities of the countries involved. The discussions then
shifted from Rhino poaching awareness to mapping and planning of resources in the
communities to work towards an integrated management plan for the UTF TFCA.
The Eco- Lubombo programme was seen as a critical partner with COSPE to core
fund activities in this project, especially the planning phase and community
participation. The new change project was therefore changed to look at
establishing a cross-border natural resources forum with a climate change lens
in the TFCA with the communities of Mbabane in Swaziland, Catuane of
Mozambique and the Mathenjwa of South Africa
The new concept looks at participatory Spatial planning, and the identification of
ecosystem services and functions; the outcome being a community based business
plan outlining best resource use for sustainable livelihood and ecosystem resilience
practices in the face of climate change. It was identified that it would help to
mainstream access and benefit sharing (ABS) issues in the TFCA for sustainability
i.e. mainstream it in the awareness-raising to make sure whatever developments
take place, they are ready to negotiate and benefit. ABS would also help them see
the benefits of conservation of their natural resources sustainably. All this would be
part of the Integrated Management Plan for the Trans-frontier Community
Conservation Area that will be the outcome of the whole activity. This has since
changed as we were advised to critically look at the climate issues in the community
and make sure it is addressed through our project.
The change project therefore now has addressed the drought / lack of rain
affecting agriculture and income generation especially for women and young

people in the community. Adaptive agriculture and some ecotourism with an eco-trail
network joining the three countries is seen as the as the ideal cross-border project.
The two organisations CESVI and LUPA (association for community development)
have been contacted to partner in the change project concept and see how they can
contribute. One of the gaps is in reporting to the SADC Climate change adaptation
and mitigation network and to the facilitators on project progress. It has been difficult
to get the participation of South Africa especially in the reshaping of the change
project idea. Stakeholder participation and involvement is very important and hence
we look forward to the South African counterparts to identify a suitable candidate to
take that task further so that we have a change project at the end that is fully
supported by all to make implementation easy. The TFCA coordinator endorsed the
idea- South Africa is expected to take part (Source Nomsa Mabila).
There has been meeting with all the other stakeholders that were identified on the
Mozambican, South African and Swaziland sides with representatives of the
communities to discuss and polish the change project and design a framework for
collaboration. There has been an establishment of Lubombo trade eco-trade linking
with all communities to meet particularly on ecosystem and conservation exercise; it
has been a long milestone. Community members have been trained on conservation
and ecosystem management integrating climate change adaptation which is seen as
a huge achievement. There has been development of eco trail/conservation
awareness. The trail is to link the communities and countries and it includes
Mozambique (Goba and Mhlobeni communities). There has also been participatory
biodiversity assessment with different communities so that they can know and
understand their natural environment.
There had been many changes and developments which include the Mhlumeni Goba
trans-border eco trail and tourism development project. So far activities have focused
on ecosystem mapping- a participatory process with the community. Conservation
and climate change adaptation awareness has led to community discussing options
to use their area for conservation (mixed grazing) for a start. An Eco trail network has
been developed to link the Lubombo communities and assisting in the quest to
promote community conservation and eco tourism activities that will help generate
income and support other adaptive community livelihood activities