17 Mar 2022

Kokong residents say they want the invasive sexanana (prosopis plant), cleared from their tiny village.

Residents expressed this during a workshop organised by the department of forestry and range resources. They said after weighing the advantages and disadvantages of keeping it, they realised that the species was more of a foe than friend.

They indicated that the presence of the plant, whose thorns could be poisonous, had already rendered three residents disabled.

Senior forestry and range resources officer, Mr Joseph Lesenya had earlier informed the residents that one of the disadvantages of the species was its ability to encroach on land that could otherwise have been put to productive use, as well as depleting underground water.

“The plant also blocks water pipes and boreholes, monopolises territories and its thorns are almost poisonous,” he said.

He said the preferred method for managing the species was mechanical, as it was less costly and had proven safe, although it could also be managed biologically or chemically

“Mechanical control can mean use of simple tools like axes, although it grows back even quicker after being cut. So it is vital to cut it down and bury the roots to deprive them of sunlight it uses to make food,” Mr Lesenya said.

He also cautioned residents that removing the plant was a long term process, as more replacement trees would have to be planted first to avoid leaving the village without any wind breaks.

On other issues, principal forest and range resources officer for Kgalagadi, Mr Johannes Seema lamented the poor participation of the community in putting out veldt fires, though the district was prone to them.

He however, conceded that there was need to improve fire breaks maintenance, as well as to drill residents on basic fire-fighting skills.

He said fires mostly sprang out sporadically in different areas, which posed a challenge in resources as the area was broad, covering Kgalagadi and Borolong.

Mr Seema therefore urged the community to always report fires quickly so that they could be managed before they spread, especially that fires that burned longer contributed significantly to greenhouse gases.  

He also cautioned that people who caused veldt fires were liable to compensate those whose property got destroyed, if found guilty.

For his part, District Coordinator for South East, Mr Sindisa Major said it was vital to conserve natural resources to ensure sustainability, which entailed responsible harvesting and general use.

He said the current practice where people harvested natural products before they were ready was a poor conservation example, as such practice did not allow plants to produce seeds for the future.

Mr Major said the practice resulted in government making regulations for harvesting natural resources through the Agricultural Resources Conservation Act.

The objective of the workshop, which was held prior to the commemoration of the district forestry day at Kokong, was meant to sensitise residents on the importance of forests to humanity, especially in this era of climate change.

Southern district coordinator, Mr Rankae Motshegwe said the workshop was also meant to inform residents about financial benefits that could be derived from forests as well as taking the department’s services to the people. Ends