Majuleni 27 October 2025

Discovering Majuleni: CREW’s Botanical Adventure

Pick of the day: Mackaya Bella.

After months of planning, Dorothy finally got our CREW group on the road to Majuleni in the Eastern Cape, accompanied by the knowledgeable Sinegugu Zukulu. At dawn, our convoy rumbled along adventure-filled dirt roads, passing rural villages, playful baby goats, and children shouting “sweets!” along the way. Two hours later, we arrived and were immediately greeted by a breathtaking sight: a Ground Hornbill — black and white wings soaring into a cliff crevice, another strutting in the veld.

Known locally as Intsikizi, these birds are steeped in cultural significance. Their deep calls are said to summon rain and thunder, earning them names like the “rainbird” or “thunderbird.” Across cultures, they are messengers of ancestors, symbols of protection, spiritual power, and sometimes warnings. Conservationists now collaborate with traditional leaders to protect these majestic birds while respecting cultural beliefs.

Guided by Sinegugu

Sinegugu Zukulu

Sinegugu hails from Baleni village in the Amadiba Territory. Growing up herding livestock in Pondoland, he developed a profound connection with the land and its flora. Today, he bridges scientific conservation with grassroots activism, teaching about biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, and environmental stewardship. His insights brought the forest alive as we followed him, eyes and ears alert to every detail.

Majuleni

Forest Treasures

Our search began with:

Colubrina nicholsonii, the Pondo Weeping Thorn. Its snake-like stems (Latin coluber = snake) and gorge-dwelling habits make it rare and protected, a fragile emblem of South Africa’s forest gorges. We also spotted Marojordaanii filiformis, a monotypic species typically hidden in deep shade near watercourses and rocky cliffs.

Colubrina nicholsonii
Pondo Weeping Thorn
RHAMNACEAE
Vulnerable D1
South African endemic

Near a colossal waterfall, we found Streptocarpus modestus and Streptocarpus haygarthii clung to rocks, while Gail and Anne discovered enormous Ptisana fraxinea var. salicifolia, an ancient fern with willow-like pinnules. Its presence underlined the forest’s botanical heritage, part of the Marattiaceae family — one of the world’s ancient fern lineages.

A waterfall with spiritual beliefs.

Streptocarpus modestus
GESNERIACEAE

Streptocarpus haygarthii 
GESNERIACEAE
South African endemic

Ptisana fraxinea var. salicifolia
MARATTIACEAE

Asystasia varia
ACANTHACEAE
South African endemic

Along the forest edge, we found Drypetes arguta, the Water Ironplum, thriving in moist habitats with edible fruits. Maytenus species, resilient woodland and forest-margin plants, also caught our attention. Rare endemics like Maytenus abbottii and Maytenus cordata face threats from habitat loss, yet have traditional medicinal uses, including treating toothache, stomach ailments, and inflammation.

Drypetes arguta
Water Ironplum
PUTRANJIVACEAE
Photo credit:  Simon

Maytenus sp.
CELASTRACEAE
Photo credit:  Simon

The forest seemed alive with Mackaya bella — Forest Bells or River Bells — its beautiful flowers attracting bees, carpenter bees, and Blue Pansy caterpillars. We also glimpsed Cryptocarya myrtifolia, a tree harvested for medicinal bark, highlighting the delicate balance between cultural use and conservation.

Cussonia nicholsonii
ARALIACEAE
South Coast Cabbage-tree
South African endemic

Mackaya bella 
ACANTHACEAE
Forest Bell-bush 

Bulbophyllum scaberulum growing on the rocks in the harsh sunlight.

Bulbophyllum scaberulum
ORCHIDACEAE

Pavetta bowkeri
Hairy Coastal Brides-bush
Rubiaceae 
South African endemic



Phlegmariurus verticillatus
LYCOPODIACEAE

Adding to our delight were tiny forest creatures: Oenopia cinctella and the flatid bug Ityraea nigrocinta. In the grasslands, Asparagus africanus and Basananthe sandersonii, a “miniature granadilla,” added colour and diversity to the landscape.  On the rocks Delosperma vinaceaum caught our eye in its magnificent red.

Oenopia cinctella 

Cataleeda cuneilinea

Oenopia divergens

Delosperma vinaceum 
AIZOACEAE
South African endemic






Asparagus africanus
ASPARAGACEAE
Wag-'n-bietjie

Thunbergia sp.

Reflections on Majuleni

We lingered as long as we could, savoring Majuleni’s beauty. Dorothy’s perseverance brought us to a truly special place, while Sinegugu’s guidance and knowledge transformed the experience into a living lesson in biodiversity and culture. The forest, streams, cliffs, and wildlife reminded us that the Transkei is an unspoilt gem — deserving of admiration and protection.

This field trip was a reminder that conservation is not just about iconic species but about protecting entire ecosystems, from ancient ferns and rare trees to the cultural stories that enrich them. We left inspired, grateful, and eager for the next adventure with Sinegugu.

Pondoland CREW
Gail Bowes-Winters, Anne Skelton, visitor, Sally Booker, Sinegugu Zukulu, Dorothy McIntyre,
 Maggie Abbott, Hiliary Henderson, Tracy Tayor & Simon Hicks.

 

“Trees are living things. When we talk to them, they hear us.”- Sinegugu Zukulu