Looking through God s Window MzansiBride

Winona Griggs

Marveling at God’s Window

When I peer out through the magnificent frame of God’s Window along the awe-inspiring Panorama Route near Graskop in Mpumalanga, I am immediately captivated by the breathtaking beauty that unfolds before me. It’s as if I’m standing on the edge of the world, gazing down into an entirely different realm below. The cliffs of the escarpment, rugged and imposing, stretch out in front of me, while dense foliage cascades down their sides, seemingly defying gravity. Towering forest giants, adorned with twisting vines and verdant creepers, create an enchanting scene that dances between earth and sky. Amidst the rocky terrain, resilient aloes cling steadfastly, accentuating the ashen cliffs with their vibrant blossoms, a bold display for passing creatures who aid in pollination.

Wow, what a breathtaking sight! Scenes like this remind me of how lucky we are to marvel at such beauty in South Africa. It’s a privilege to be human, to appreciate the wonders of nature. In this moment, greed and arrogance fade away, overshadowed by a sense of humility as I take in the hazy horizon. I understand now why this place is so beloved, as I watch tourists from different countries excitedly capturing their holiday memories.

But then, a wave of sadness washes over me. The lush forest at the cliffs’ base abruptly gives way to orderly rows of pine and bluegum trees. These man-made plantations dominate the landscape, leaving little room for other types of vegetation. It’s a vast expanse that stretches across Mpumalanga’s mountains and lowlands, a world of monotony.

You know what the timber companies like to brag about? Their plantations in Mpumalanga, which supposedly meet half of the country’s timber needs. They’re proud to claim that these plantations are almost like forests, but let me tell you, there’s a world of difference.

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Take a trip to the Panorama Route in Graskop, and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll find majestic waterfalls like Lisbon and Berlin Falls, surrounded by patches of real forest. These patches are teeming with all sorts of incredible creatures and plants, forming a truly unique ecosystem. It’s a stark contrast to the man-made plantations.

Even the preserved grasslands around Mac Mac Pools are worth noting. These areas give us a glimpse into what the landscape looked like a century ago, before humans came along with their plantations.

As I approach the town of Graskop on the road from Sabie, I can’t help but get excited by the breathtaking sight of majestic cliffs enveloped by lush forests. These cliffs gradually give way to open grasslands as the land ascends, forming the iconic koppie that lends its name to the town. It’s a shame, though, that this stunning view isn’t as noteworthy as it should be due to the monotonous plantations that stretch endlessly in every direction, obstructing the captivating vistas of valleys and escarpments.

So, here’s the thing. I get it, we need timber and all that jazz. Making plantations rather than demolishing our precious indigenous trees makes sense. But seriously, is there no end to it? How much land are we willing to sacrifice for these plantations? And how much further into the mountains and waterways are we gonna let them sprawl? I bet there’s some kind of law about this, but honestly, it feels like they waited way too long to put it in place. Now we got this “green desert” situation in Mpumalanga, where once we had a thriving, diverse ecosystem.

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When I looked out of God’s Window, something struck me deeply. I realized that I didn’t want to contribute to the transformation of this beautiful land into a uniform and homogenous environment. So, I made a decision – no more new pine furniture for me. Instead, I choose to recycle the paper I use and minimize my printing. It may not seem like much right now, but if more people adopt these practices, the demand for timber will decrease, and we’ll need to grow fewer trees.

Now, some may label me as a tree-hugging greenie, and I’m perfectly okay with that. When you visit me, you’ll find yourself sitting on a recycled, second-hand chair.

Check out these fast facts:

  • The South African timber plantation industry plants 360,000 trees every working day – that’s more than 90 million trees each year.
  • Mpumalanga, one of the largest areas in South Africa, has around 0.6 million hectares of plantations.
  • Commercial plantations require rainfall higher than 750 mm per year as they do not use irrigation.
  • An average tree consumes about 25 liters of water daily.
  • Pine trees are harvested at the age of 25-30 years, with younger trees selectively thinned for pulpwood. Eucalyptus trees, on the other hand, are harvested at 7-10 years for pulp and mining timber, and 12-30 years for furniture timber.
  • Thinnings from the trees are used for making pulp, boxes, and crates. Logs from mature trees are utilized for building and construction, while high-quality logs find their way to veneer and furniture production. Paper is crafted from early thinnings, as well as the thinner sections and tops of clear-felled trees. These are sent to the Ngodwana pulp mill to be converted into pulp before being turned into paper. Pine tree pulp is typically used for newsprint or mixed with eucalyptus pulp to produce high-quality paper.
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For more information, visit www.sabie.co.za.

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