A Shield for KwaZulu-Natal’s Wild Places
iSihlangu means “shield” in isiZulu. We are a new conservation alliance protecting the scarp forests, river and endangered Oribi of Cumberland Nature Reserve on the Mngeni River, and we are inviting a small circle of Founding Guardians to build this with us from day one.
How We Work
Conservation lasts when the people who live on the land lead it. Our approach rests on three simple principles.
- BY: The work is led by the people who live on and around the land.
- WITH: iSihlangu brings experience, equipment, planning and funding.
- THROUGH: Everything is done through landowner agreements and established community and legal structures.
Healing a Landscape, Together
Join us as we restore the scarp forests, river and grasslands of Cumberland Nature Reserve, and protect the endangered Oribi that call it home.
4 million
people rely on water from the Mngeni catchment, which flows on from Cumberland to the Nagle and Inanda Dams.
10 local jobs
for community members in our first-year restoration programme.
1 flagship reserve
a proclaimed protected area, where we hold a written agreement with the landowners to protect it.
Our Work at Cumberland
Clearing Invasives & Restoring the River
Removing Eucalyptus and other invasive alien plants along the Mngeni River and Rietspruit stream, so indigenous forest can regenerate and the river can run cleaner and stronger.
Protecting Rare Species
Safeguarding the endangered Oribi, threatened cycads, the Blood-red sword lily and other rare species at Cumberland Nature Reserve.
Working with Our Community
Employing local people as restoration field workers, and building a cross-boundary conservation corridor with our neighbouring landowners.
Where We Are Today
We believe supporters deserve the full picture. iSihlangu was registered in 2025 as a Non-Profit Company and is approved by SARS as a Public Benefit Organisation with Section 18A status. We have a written agreement with the custodians of Cumberland Nature Reserve and a fully costed first-year plan. Until now, our founders have funded everything. What we need next is two field vehicles (four-wheel-drive), equipment and a small paid community team, and that is where our Founding Guardians come in.
Looking Ahead: Technology with Purpose
Our founders bring decades of experience in geospatial systems, engineering and quality assurance. In time, we plan to use practical tools such as mapping, camera traps and simple field apps to help a small team protect a large landscape, and to report clearly to our supporters. We will introduce each tool only once our fieldwork at Cumberland is established, and we will report honestly on our progress along the way.
Stand With Us, Month After Month
Regular giving lets us plan, employ people with confidence and keep equipment running. Become a Founding Guardian from R250 a month. A gift of R5,390 a month employs one community member full-time in habitat restoration.
Get in Touch
We would love to hear from you, answer your questions, or show you the reserve. Send us a message, or email andrew@isihlangu.org.
