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about 300 ha in extent, and is underlain by Karoo dolerite. It lies atan altitude of 1 840 m, with the highest hill in the reserve at 2 081 m. The vlei functions as a large sponge that is the source of the Umgeni river. The extensive vlei is good for cranes (Gruidae), and both Bugeranus carunculatus and Balearica regulorum regularly breed there. It is the premier site in South Africa for Bugeranus carunculatus (up to six pairs have nested in the main vlei, with four others nesting in four smaller vleis, all within the reserve boundary.
At least two pairs of Balearica regulorum and one pair of Grus paradisea are also present in this Important Bird Area (IBA), the latter in the grassland surrounding the vlei, which also supports several other species of threatened bird, including Anthus chloris.
The vlei could potentially support Sarothrura ayresi. Cisticola brunnescens forage and breed in the flooded grassland adjacent to the vlei. The rocky terrain at higher altitude supports Geocolaptes olivaceus, Saxicola bifasciata, Monticola explorator and Chaetops aurantius. Both Gyps coprotheres and the rare but widespread Gypaetus barbatus are regular visitors to the area.
Apart from its biodiversity value, Umgeni Vlei is a valuable water- catchment area, supplying the Umgeni River, which supports a substantial proportion of South Africa's gross national product, and the whole of the catchment above the vlei is now conserved, either within the reserve or in a Natural Heritage Site. The other key river is the Umkomaas River, which together with the Umgeni River has been earmarked for a future bulk water transfer scheme. The
Umkomaas River is also critically important for downstream users, including industry located closer to eThekwini Metro.
The distribution of important water yield areas is illustrated in Map 10 SDMP. It is clear that the majority of important wetland areas fall within the high water yield areas, illustrating this positive relationship.
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settlements are the focus of agricultural development.Boston, an established village to the East of the Municipality does not have a Town Planning Scheme but consists of the following facilities:- Petrol Filling Station; General Dealer; Moth Hall; Boston Country Club; A few residential sites; Agricultural Co-operative; Police Station some distance away. This village has been identified as the gateway to tourism development in Impendle (Annexure J1).
(b) Ward 1
Ward 1 is located on the Western portion of the Municipality with the western boundary of the Municipality falling adjacent to the Drakensberg Mountains. This ward is by far the largest ward in terms of geographical area and consists of scattered rural settlements. Small pockets of traditional areas are also located along roads and rivers. There are three settlements which stand out above the rest in this ward, namely:-
Stoffelton-Ntwasahlobo consisting of the following:- Isiminza Traditional Court; Community Hall; 1 Primary School; 1 High School; Library / Resource Centre; General Dealer; Church. Stoffelton is being linked with Ntwasahlabo and an area known as the Ridge. This is located in the South West of Impendle and adjoins KwaSani as a cross-border area (see SDF Annexure J1)
Lower Lotheni has rather a scattered structure in terms of settlement and related public services. In the North are the following communities: Maitland; Nkathini; Nhlathimbe; Lotheni .
Stepmore-Mqathsheni consists of the following: 3 schools, mobile clinic, shop, hall, crèche. Stepmore-Mqatsheni is also a cross-border development located on the edge of the World Heritage Site.
Further south are: -Mahlutshini; Police Stock Theft unit; General Dealer
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There is a physical separation between east and west in Impendle. This physical separation is best noted when heavy rains fall making roads impossible due to rising rivers as in the case of the Mkhomazi and slippery and wet passes such as the Road Past Nzinga to Lower Lotheni.These roads effectively isolate the communities on the Western side of the Impendle Municipality from the Eastern and Central parts of the Municipality.
(c) Ward 2
East of Ward 1 is Ward 2 which has as its western boundary the Nzinga River while the Eastern Boundary is the Impendle Mountain. This Ward consists of the following settlements, namely:- Come and See; Sithunjwana; Ukukhanya; Compensation; Mgodi; Shayabantu 1 and 2 also know as Shellfish; Enguga 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9. These settlements straddle the boundaries of Wards 1 and 2 and are located in what has been identified as the Management Area in the SDF (Annexure J1).
Compensation was established using township establishment processes. It is also the only settlement in the Impendle Municipality with a combined school. There are 3 high schools and 6 primary schools in this ward.
Nzinga consisting of the following:- Nxamalala Clinic; HIV/Aids drop in centre; Nxamalala Traditional Administration Centre; 2 Primary Schools; 2 High schools; General Dealers. Large areas of settlement follow the main road to Nzinga and then split off on the road to Lotheni mainly located in the valley of the Nzinga River.
(d) Ward 3
The Western Boundary of Ward 3 runs along the Impendle Mountain while the Eastern Boundary falls roughly along the road from Boston to Impendle town to Howick. This ward consists of the town of Impendle and the following settlements:-
In the North:- Novuka 1-4; Ntshini just north of Impendle town
In the West:- Enguga 4 and 10 located on the western side of Impendle town
In the South:- kwaKhetha; Kwakhetha 1 and 2; Ntshosweni; Fikesuthi; Similobha 1 & 2; Sithunjwana 1 (e) Ward 4
This Ward consists mainly of the farming community of Boston and the settlements of:- Gomane 1-7; Nhlambamkhosi.