Ilanda Wilds
| Ilanda Wilds Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
Marshland and riparian forest in the reserve
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| Location | Amanzimtoti, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 30°03′05″S 30°52′02″E / 30.05139°S 30.86722°ECoordinates: 30°03′05″S 30°52′02″E / 30.05139°S 30.86722°E |
| Area | 20 ha (49 acres) |
| Established | 1965, February 1969 |
| Governing body | Amanzimtoti town council |
Ilanda Wilds is a nature reserve situated along Amanzimtoti River in the town of Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This small area of land (20ha) contains various habitat types, ranging from steep rocky slopes to various riverine habitats, forest and small patches of grassland.
A portion of Ilanda Wilds was a quarry site. Once the site was abandoned, it was decided by the former Wildlife Society of South Africa (now WESSA) to be rehabilitated as a nature reserve to protect the wide diversity of plants in the area, and was proclaimed in the 1960s (1965) after interaction between local residents (including Charles and Ann Swart), the Wildlife Society and the Local Council of Amanzimtoti. According to Colleen Gill:
With the help of "a handfull of enthusiasts" and the assistance of T.C. Robertson, the local council agreed to preserve the area of Ilanda Wilds. In March 1972, Stan Craven, then chairman of the local Wildlife Society, arranged the formation of a steering committee for the proposed development of Ilanda Wilds. Volunteers supervised local workers to remove invasive species, made trails and labelled indigenous trees. In 1977 "control of Ilanda Wilds moved from the Wildlife Society back to council". In the early 1990s a memorial was built to King Shaka's naming of Amanzimtoti; he led his army down the south coast on a raid against the Pondos in 1828 and rested on the banks of a river and drank the water, then exclaimed "Kanti amanzi mtoti" (isiZulu: "So, the water is sweet"). It was decided by local council members to place the memorial in Ilanda Wilds, as this was a convenient place next to the river, even though no one knows the actual site where King Shaka rested and drank the water. During the late 1980s and early 1990s Ilanda Wilds reached its peak of development with well maintained paths, bridges and ablution facilities. However the increasing crime situation in South Africa during the 1990s did not leave Ilanda Wilds untouched, and theft from motor vehicles that were left unattended at Ilanda Wilds became commonplace. The ablution facilities were also continuously vandalized and it was decided to demolish them. According to Keith Walters who was in charge of maintaining Ilanda Wilds:
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