Sacred natural sites route walk begins

A traditional healer and a scientist will also record the ecology from Mamelodi to Rustenburg Kloof

- Sheree Bega

A unique project began this week to document the conditions at sacred natural sites and traditional ecological knowledge from Mamelodi to Rustenburg Kloof.

It comes after Cathy Dzerefos, an environmental scientist and lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology, was awarded the 2025 Richard Watmough Magaliesberg Conservation Fund by the Mountain Club of South Africa Magaliesberg section for the project, which promotes environmental and water stewardship in the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve.

Despite its Unesco Biosphere status, the Magaliesberg faces growing threats from mining, urban expansion, tree felling, water pollution and a lack of environmental education.

Dzerefos's project, in partnership with traditional healer Ephraim Cebisa Mabena, is a culturally grounded response.

It will document conditions at sacred natural sites such as in Majakaneng Kloof, Barnardsvlei and Kgaswane Mountain Reserve.

Mabena will lead discussions with traditional healers, church groups and holy water collectors to explore how spiritual practices can align with sustainable environmental use.