Title: Sandanezwe moving for total kill on native plant flora in Swaziland
[Swazi Observer 10 September, 2011 with Ackel Zwane] --While several studies have already been undertaken in a bid to subdue invasive plant species in Swaziland, inactivity has resulted in the near loss of the battle against the invasion. In the past several efforts, including engaging the rural self-sustenance farmer, have failed mainly because of lack of political will and wild pockets of corruption. As the rains draw nearer, it is expected that the invasive plant species will also thrive and government might as well lose completely the war, resulting in untold damage to the native flora.
A study in 2007 carried out by Ekpo Ossom of the Department of Crop Production in the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Swaziland, Bheka Lupupa of Nkalashane Sisa Ranch under the ministry of agriculture and Sazi Mhlongo, Range Management Division of the same ministry, discovered that controlled burning was the best method for controlling Sandanezwe (Chromoloena odorata) and other invasive plant species, but slashing of weeds was the least effective method.
Chemical
Roundup was a more effective chemical control measure than Chopper. They recommended that controlled burning be adopted as the best control method of Sandanezwe in the Lowveld but concerted efforts should be made to avoid the fire burning out of control.
“Chemical control with Roundup, following slashing and sprouting of slashed stumps, could be attempted as a compromise control method, if there is adequate technical knowledge of herbicide use technology among farmers.”
Another study recently concluded by a South African consulted that cost millions of emalangeni is likely to gather moss or dust before its recommendations are considered. The story has always been lack of money but it would seem the problem has been that of the country finding it difficult to know its priorities. Money has been spent in far less significant undertakings instead of the environment, especially the spread of invasive plant species that has already raised concern among neighbours in the region and is likely to bring untold suffering resulting from hunger as the crop and livestock are most likely going to be affected.
In this study the investigators describe invasive plant species as any species that is likely to spread into native flora or managed plant systems, develops a self-sustaining population and becomes dominant or disruptive to those native systems.
They say invasive plant species are also known as weeds- plants that are objectionable or interfere with the activities and welfare of humans. There are about 340 invasive plant species that are listed in Swaziland’s alien plants database.
In 2006 UNISWA organised a workshop on Sandanezwe, the menace, where four of the most problematic invasive species in Swaziland and were identified as Sandanezwe or Chromolaena Odorata (which is also known as Wandile in Zulu or Sathane in SiSwati), Lantana Camara (Bukhwebeletana), Solanum Mauritianum (Gwayana), and Psidium guajara or guava (Umgwava).
Parthenium species, say the scholars, has also been shown to be troublesome and causing immeasurable, ecological devastation in ranches and game reserves, in addition to the other invasive species, Chromolaena Odorata has more than 20 names by which it is known.
Other names for this noxious weed are: Siam weed, Jack in the bush, Triffid weed, Kingweed, Paraffinweed, Turpentine weed and Bitter bush.
They describe Sandanezwe as a dicotyledonous plant of the family, Asteraceae, it branches and flowers profusely, producing thousands of seeds in one season.
The seeds are airborne, transported by vehicular traffic and can also cling to animal fur, human hair and clothing.
It is thought to have been introduced, in the 1940s, from the Caribbean into South Africa via Durban, from where it has spread to other countries.
The experts say Sandanezwe has a smothering habit and allelopathic properties, it is highly prolific, reproducing vegetatively and through the production of in the form of thousands of light, wind-dispersed seeds.
The weed demonstrates environmental plasticity in the habitat types that it invades and takes advantage of both natural and anthropogenic disturbances; it increases the intensity, range and frequency of fires. In all areas it impacts on cropping and pastoral agrcicultre, on biodiversity and on human welfare it is seriously encroaching on agricultural and recreational land in Swaziland and in other Southern African countries such as South Africa, Malawi, Lesotho and Zambia, to name a few. In 2006 government allocated E8 million, an amount, the experts note with empathy, did not include research and was looted by small companies that were formed to siphon it in the name of fighting Sandanezwe.
The scholars further discovered that Sandanezwe devastation was commonplace at Magoga Sisa Ranch in northern Hhohho administrative region.
They cited ranch manager, Solomon Khumalo, who reported that a number of the King’s cattle were lost in the ranch and could not be found because Sandanezwe plants were too tall to manage or search for lost cattle.
Between 2005 when Khumalo sounded the alarm and January 2006, Sandanezwe infestation forced Magoga Sisa Ranch to reduce its cattle population from 2000 to 800. Another government owned ranch, Nkalashane, was completely closed down and all cattle moved out, solely because of unmanageable Sandanezwe infestation.
Bhalekane Fattening Ranch is also badly invaded by both Sandanezwe and Lantana and livestock numbers are dwindling.
Loss
“The possible loss of this major cattle-fattening facility implies that lucrative export of beef cattle from Swaziland to Europe and other foreign markets would decline. With more Sandanezwe flowering every May/June in Swaziland, the continual increase in the seed bank of hits weed every year is observed, especially as no concerted efforts are made to control the weed. The economic costs due to invasive plant species can be separated into direct costs due to production loss in agriculture and forestry and management costs of invasive species. Forage loss due to invasive weeds on pastures amounts to nearly one billion US dollars in the US alone.”
During World Environment Day commemoration Deputy Prime Minister, a guest speaker, emphasised the need for each farmer or homestead head or community to destroy Sandanezwe in their midst as is the case with him in down south Lawuba.
But his statement provoked a tense debate that bordered on land tenure, such as who owns and is responsible for the Sandanezwe on Swazi Nation Land.
There were no immediate answers acceptable to all participants which included mainly experts in various fields on the day. But while the bickering continues, Sandanezwe is having a field day and future generations might spend their lifetime battling to recover from its effects unless something is done today.