Wilo Location in Mqanduli has a forest estimated 3 kilos in length. This forest was planted for economic development and job creation, but it has turned out to be a nightmare for the community of Ntandela and the surrounding areas. In the past few years, so many incidents of women and young girls being raped and killed were reported, but until this day, there are no safety measures put in place. The people crossing the forest to the shops are primarily from Ntshoma, Thala, and Ntandela locations, crossing to buy food from the shops on the other side of the forest or sometimes to catch a taxi or visit areas on the other side. About 100 people cross the forest daily for daily activities but are left to see whether they survive.
Young girls who are most vulnerable to the brutal acts happening in that forest cross that forest every morning to Wilo Technical High because they do not have a high school in their area. It has become a norm for the community to expect to hear a devastating story about the forest, an unfortunate reality that people have even normalized sad stories.
In this era of South Africa growing its economy and creating jobs through tourism, Wilo forest would never even attract one tourist looking at the state it is in, the deep rivers of potholes in its roads. King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality has zero intentions of capitalizing on this natural resource. Had they honored nature, perhaps the forest have some minerals or areas that could attract tourists, but we are unaware.
The forest has enough history, even though some of it is not good, but statues or memorial tombstones of the girls who died there would at least make their families forgive the incident. In turn, this would attract tourists to learn more about the history of massacres in this forest. People who died on the premises of a government-owned land or entity should not only be honored with fancy funerals or compensation but should be honored and commemorated as heroes or heroines, and generations should learn about them.
One would ask, how do we then turn our sad stories into lucrative opportunities? Considering the opportunities it might have, it would be unsound and reckless to say that the forest must be cut down. Growing up, the forest was well respected; it had security guards, and its territory was surrounded by wire. A person would need a letter with payment to enter the forest and take wood. Presently, anyone can do anything they want at any time because there are no restrictions or laws. Hence, the forest has become the home of criminals.
The forest has become dull and hopeless, trees are no longer growing as they used to, and it seems as if even nature is turning its back on us. Is it because of our actions? Is it because we disregard it and its importance? Let us all respect and protect our natural resources, for they are our heritage and treasures.
Comments