In southern Zululand in the province of KwaZulu-Natal within the iNkandla Magisterial District,
a rural area, lies the indigenous iNkandla forest. This is the last remaining rare relict type of
indigenous high wet rain forest in Southern Africa. This forest is of great importance not only for
its unique biodiversity, its perennial source of water, but also as a resource base for the Cube
people. This remote community lives mostly a traditional Zulu lifestyle in an area devoid of
basic infrastructure, municipal services or economic activity. The Cube people are reliant on the
forest resources for some of their daily basic material needs.
This dissertation is an examination of the relationship between the Cube people and the iNkandla
forest over time. The study investigates the ecology and biodiversity of the iNkandla forest. It
also describes the Cube people's lifestyle, history and the continuous utilisation of the forest
resources. The core focus of the study is that the iNkandla forest is not only an integral part of
the Cube people's lives, but also has a rich cultural history.
The research findings show that the daily activities of the Cube are impacting heavily on the
forest resources. In order to minimise negative environmental impacts, sustainable utilisation of
these resources needs to be established. This can enhance the relationship between the Cube
people and the forest. The people's view of the forest and its change with time is investigated.
The goods and services this forest provides to meet people's basic material needs portrays the
relationship between the people and the forest.
To sustain this relationship a model that illustrates a process that can be established and
implemented effectively is recommended. This process will empower the Cube people to make
constructive and effective choices and decisions. It will also inform the people of the sustainable
ways of utilising the forest resources and enhance their relationship with the natural resources.
The aim is to promote future developments that the Cube people are likely to see in future. This
will inform their understanding of sustainable utilisation of the forest resources for future
generations. Empowered people will recognise social principles for appropriate interactions with
nature.
The final part in this study revisits the theory of environmental history. It outlines briefly the
manner in which the environmental history theory has been applied. It also explains the reason
why the principles of environmental history have been adopted for this study. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/4535 |
| Date | January 2002 |
| Creators | Ngcobo, Thembisile Theresa (Doh) |
| Contributors | Edgecombe, Ruth. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
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