WoF was invited by the uThungulu Disaster Management Centre to celebrate in Shakaland at eShowe. The uThungulu Disaster Manager, Sibonisile Kunene said, “We chose this venue as it is a historical site, a living museum of the Zulu Culture and the Zulu King who ruled in KZN.”

As par t of the 2015 IDDR theme of traditional, indigenous and local knowledge, this was an opportunity for the environmentalist to learn about their indigenous peoples ways to deal with disasters or foresee disasters.

“The day was not about our scientific data and information, but more about us learning how our indigenous people dealt and survived disasters in their time and how they knew when disasters like drought would start,” Kunene said.

The event was about information sharing and strengthening the relationship between organisations and the community they work with and how science and traditional methods can link.

KZN Community Fire Awareness Officer, Makhosi Dladla, said, “It was a great success learning how our elders dealt with problems that we are facing in this current state, their own way of managing fires in their community.”