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iSimangaliso Wetland Park has long been a major tourism attraction for northern KwaZulu-Natal, with its diverse ecosystems and incredible wildlife. Now this UNESCO World Heritage Site is providing women with a space to become champions of climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods as well.
Entrepreneurial and environmental partnership
Through a collaboration between community-based women entrepreneurs, WILDTRUST, and Indalo Inclusive, women in KwaDapha, Mabibi, eNkovukeni, KwaZibi, and KwaSokhulu are building climate-smart businesses. At the centre of this transformation is the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area (MPA) Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Project, which places women at the forefront of enterprise development.
From worm-fed poultry farms to egg distribution enterprises and innovative use of invasive plants as animal feed, these women are restoring ecosystems and boosting local food security while securing employment for themselves.
Meet the women
- Take 21-year-old Nokuthula Msweli, whose Thule’s Poultry Farm supplies affordable, environmentally conscious protein to her community, employing two people and supporting 14 dependents.
- Or Thobile Shange of Liyana Layer Farm, whose use of invasive aquatic plants feeds her free-range hens while tackling environmental degradation.
- There’s also Jane Mthembu (56) from KwaDapha, a Small-Scale Fisher Monitor who is a widow and mother of five. Her new role strengthens her household security and sustainable resource use.
Initiatives like these - backed by training, mentorship, and leadership development - show how empowering women can deliver lasting benefits across society and the environment.
A tourism haven
These women-empowered green initiatives make iSimangaliso an even bigger attraction for domestic and international tourists! Some of the adventures found here include:
- Birdwatching enthusiasts can spot over 500 endangered species
- Go horse riding along pristine beaches
- Take a game drive or boat cruise to encounter hippos, crocodiles, and even the Big Five
- Witness the majestic whales along the coastline
- Experience magical turtle nesting tours during season
- Go kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and on a guided walks of the park’s waterways and forests
- Enjoy a unique fishing trip along the warm coastal waters
What you need to know
- Location: Northern KZN, South Africa, from Maphelane to the Mozambique border
- Rules: iSimangaliso is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; visitors are encouraged to follow park rules to protect wildlife and habitats
- Contact: info@isimangaliso.com
- Website: isimangaliso.com
Visiting iSimangaliso Wetland Park is not only an epic experience, it also means you’re supporting conservation and women's empowerment in our rural communities.
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