Umzi Wethu

Umzi Wethu trails are based on the Wilderness Foundation’s Imbewu trails program. Essentially an experiential environmental education model, Imbewu trails are designed to expose previously disadvantaged youth to the National Parks and protected areas, around which they live, which they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to explore. Imbewu seeks to instil, in present and future generations, a deep abiding emotional link to the earth and Africa’s cultural legacy. This is achieved through the involvement of “wise elders” – retired game rangers who accompany students on trails and impart local indigenous knowledge to trailists. It is often around the camp fire at night that storytelling takes place.

Within the Umzi Wethu program, Imbewu trails are used for selection as well as experiential education and personal growth. Before candidates are accepted into the program, they embark on a selection trail – usually their first experience of hiking and camping in a wild place. Feedback from this trail is used to inform the decision of whether or not to include the student in the program. Once students have entered the program they enjoy a further three Imbewu trails during their year at Umzi. Trails include times of solitaire during which students spend time alone and quite, reflecting on their lives and futures. Another aspect of Imbewu trails is “night watch” – each trailist takes a turn to keep watch over the campsite as the others sleep. This gives students a sense of responsibility as well as further time for reflection.

"If only they knew how much I have fallen in love with the wilderness, it would blow them away. Climbing those mountains was difficult, but being on top of it was music in my ears. Looking down and around me seeing all that beauty is a lifetime reward…Its places like these that when I go back home make me feel in control of my life…I know I’m way stronger than I ever imagined and I’ve grown in all sorts of ways, so I’m patting myself on the back.” Umzi 7 Student

"This was the last trail and I really enjoyed all of them.  It taught us how to appreciate nature and how by keeping it safe, clean and respectable for others who haven’t experienced it the way we have…Thank you for all the seeds you have planted in our hearts and minds, to be part of nature and to be true conservationists anywhere we might be.” Joniel van Rooyen

"Wow, what a wonderful place…well people change, I now find myself very interested in nature…I’ve learnt that nature needs to be taken good care of.” Luzuko Mblayi

"Who could have thought that black girls and boys can love nature and go on trail? I grew up saying it’s a white thing to go on trail…look now, there we are joining them and it’s wonderful, and the air we breathe is different from the air you breathe back home. The sound of the river at night makes you feel special to be here and the sounds of different animals make you proud to be around them.” Umzi 7 Student

"I learnt that human beings and nature are using the same network, which means we are connected to nature. If we destroy nature, we also destroy ourselves.” Anelisa Moloko