There is a sense about Tembe Elephant Park that joy and pathos have never been far apart in its destiny. But if anything, this serves only to deepen its appeal.

The happy part is that it truly is a nature lover's joy, in respect of the accommodation and the wildlife experience it offers, as well as the promise it holds of becoming a catalyst for a much bigger conservation initiative.

The sad part goes back to the very reason for the park's existence. It could even be taken further back, to about 130 years ago when the colonial border was drawn between Natal and Mozambique, regardless of it setting apart the region's Tonga people.

(image source:  Feddy Handsen, www.dauger.com )

Tembe's northern boundary happens to run along part of that shameful line, although in this respect too there is promise of it ultimately ending in a happier situation given the transfrontier-park plans for the region that should eventually soften borders, for people and animals.

Radebe launches projects to improve safety, mobility 

The safety and the mobility of people in some areas of KwaZulu-Natal. ... be achieved primarily through the facilitation of eco-tourism, agricultural activities ... 

Transport Minister Jeff Radebe has officially opened two projects to improve the safety and the mobility of people in some areas of KwaZulu-Natal.

The minister opened the R6 million Kwa-Qwasha bridge and access road as well as the first phase of the Road P700, valued at R142.5 million at an event in Mahlabathini on Tuesday.

This was part of a calendar of events marking October as Transport Month.

The Kwa-Qwasha bridge, which crosses the White UMfolozi River, brings long awaited relief for both the Qwasha and Mpungamhlophe communities.

MAJOR events such as the Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers, the Reed Dance festival, the Loerie Awards and the Shaka Day celebrations on Heritage Day helped bring in more visitors to KwaZulu-Natal during the celebration of Tourism Month in September, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal said yesterday.

Ndabo Khoza, Acting CEO of Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, said it was estimated that about 45 000 foreign visitors and one million domestic tourists had earned the Zulu Kingdom an estimated R1 billion in September.