20 October was the date for the Grade 6 outing. This year we went natural with a visit to WESSA, people caring for the earth – where the children learned things about nature they never knew.
Under the guidance of young and enthusiastic trained education officers, the learners hiked down into the Umgeni valley. From its highest point (1044 metres above sea-level) near the WESSA entrance gate, the land drops away steeply to the valley floor, encompassing all five terrain units – plateau, escarpment, slope, foot slope and valley bottom.
Going down 300m to the valley floor was shorter and faster than climbing up. But once the children were at the bottom, the path was cool and shady along the banks of the Umgeni River which is about 3 metres wide at that point. The children were divided into two groups and both conducted assessments of the river.
For the river health assessment we collected various macroinvertebrates, identified them and checked their sensitivity. The more sensitive the invertebrate, the more alkaline the water. Less sensitive invertebrates can handle acidic water, which is less healthy. Both groups concluded that the river is in a ‘good, healthy condition’. M du Toit
The groups tested the river temperature which was about 17°C. The opacity of the water was about 67% and the velocity of the river was 1-2m/sec. After the river testing, the children tested the river at the ‘bum slide’ where the river pushes a person over a large smooth rock and into a shallow pool. This part of the river passed the test with flying colours.
Wet clothes made hiking out of the valley more doable and lunch at Spur was the cherry on the cake.
My favourite thing was the bush walk. It was so exciting to look for all sorts of wild animals. T Combrink
We saw hundreds of amazing birds, some of which I have never seen. It was incredulous. M du Toit
I liked the way we were treated. Their hospitality was amazing. A Ngidi
It was incredible at WESSA. J Marloth
It was amazing. I liked the bum slide. S Dlamini
