Khelekhele’s unspoiled natural beauty and tranquility
Renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty and tranquility of the countryside, Khelekhele Community Eco-Lodge, offers one the perfect tonic to relax and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Nestled in a pristine forest overlooking the Ngwempisi River, the eco-lodge is an unspoiled destination for a tourist who really wants to connect with nature. Based at Velezizweni Chiefdom under Ngwempisi Inkhundla, on the outskirts of Mankayane Town, Khelekhele is a perfect example of the environmental conservation, tourism and livelihoods nexus.
“We have over 200 species of birds, in addition to the many different species of trees plus the river, which makes the place attractive to tourists,” said Mlungisi Nxumalo, the Chairperson of Velezizweni Chiefdom Development Committee.
He said the beauty and tranquillity of the place are what draw tourists who are interested in hiking, camping, bird viewing and swimming. The lodge, which is operated on a solar system, draws water from a borehole and accommodates 12 people, is the cherry on top.
The eco-lodge boasts of a chalet, a shared sleeping room, a communal dining area and ablution facilities. Over 8 900 people under Velezizweni Chiefdom are beneficiaries of the project.
Nxumalo said the most important impact of the project was that it raised awareness about the value of the environment to the livelihoods of the community. He said the community appreciates that the lodge, which will generate income and create jobs, exists because of the surrounding environment which is ideal for tourism.
“As a result, conserving the environment has become a priority for this community because we now understand the link between the environment and income generation,” said Nxumalo.
Majaha Ngwenya, Ngwempisi Indvuna Yenkhundla, concurs with Nxumalo adding that people used to cut down trees and kill animals anyhow before the implementation of the project, behaviour that has since changed.
“We appreciate the support that we received from UNDP and partners because now we have a place to host community gatherings,” said Ngwenya. He noted that community-based tourism does not only encourage a deeper connection between the host and visitor, but it also promotes environmental protection, cultural exchange, social responsibility and the enhancement of livelihoods.
UNDP Resident Representative, Rose Ssebatindira, visited the facility on 24 September 2021, leading UNDP staff to appreciate the work of the project.
“The tourism investment is critical to the direct benefit of the community for the conservation of the environment,” said Ssebatindira, adding: “Once the community sees the direct benefit – job creation and income generation – they are most likely to protect the environment which attracts the tourists.”
Ssebatindira was optimistic that the community will look after the facility because it contributed 2000 hectares of land to the project which is part of where the lodge is built. She said this speaks volumes about the community’s commitment to this investment.
She said Khelekhele is a project that speaks to many of the Sustainable Development Goals with an ultimate contribution to SDG 1 – ending poverty by 2030.
This article was first published on the UNDP Website
