Mangeni Falls EarthCache
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The Mangeni Falls, known by the locals as Istwabeni, is a feature of the Mangeni River Valley. It lies within the White Umfolozi Inlier, which covers around 300 square kilometers of northern KwaZulu Natal. The falls cascade around 160m below.
Erosion:
Mangeni Falls are situated on a tributary of the White Umfolozi River, west of Babanango, in the Mangeni River Valley. The waterfall has eroded back through soft sandstone and formed an impressive gorge which is wooded in places. The valley, within which the Mangeni Falls lie, was formed by fluvial erosion and the surrounding hills were capped by cover sequences (Hicks, 2009).
Water erosion is South Africa’s most widespread soil degradation problem and affects 70% of the land. Top soil is transported to streams and this dramatic loss results in less than half the return in crop yields of normal. The major causes of land degradation are: land clearance, deforestation, and agricultural depletion of soil nutrients, burning and absence of soil conservation measures. Features associated with the degradation are gullying, sedimentation, landsliding and bare soil cover, soil pedestals, crusts, exposed roots, and organ pipe erosion. (Tafangenyasha, 2011)
In the area surrounding the waterfall, hardpans, organ pipe erosion, sheet erosion and gullies are visible. Organ pipe erosion is where the erosion is caused by the down flow of sand, resulting in with peculiar rounded ridges and furrows. The colluviums, underlain by sandstone, are exposed by sheet erosion. Other rock formations underlying the colluvium include mica, siltstone and carbonaceous shale (Rienks, 2000).
The area is drained by Mvunyana River that feeds into the White Umfolozi River and the ultimate discharge is easterly into the Indian Ocean.
The waterfall is surrounded by open grassland and rural settlements.
Historical significance:
The waterfall where Lord Chelmsford was at the time of the battle of Isandlwana
The falls were named after a story about a woman who was thrown down that mountain as punishment for her wrong-doing. Her leather skirt suspended her in the air and as a result she did not die as anticipated. The people of the area did not believe that when they were told and refer to it as a lie – amanga (http://www.zulu.org.za/index.php?product+46073)
This place is still used as a Zulu sacrificial site. (http://www.isibindiafrica.co.za/izl/activities.htm)
Directions:
The waterfall is best accessed with a vehicle with high ground clearance.
From Babanango, drive west on the R68 towards Dundee. Turn left after 31.5km at the sign marked “Qudeni”. Follow this gravel road for 14.7km, and turn right at the sign “Mangeni”. Travel a further 6.5km and turn left towards a few distant buildings. Cross the concrete bridge and then turn right onto a track immediately after crossing. Proceed with this track for about 500m, and park the vehicle at one of the side-tracks that lead towards the valley on the right (which is visible from far away). (ref: http://www.birdlifezululand.co.za/birding-sites/north-west-zululand/ulundi/mangeni-falls/)
References:
Hicks, N. 2009 A combined sedimentological-mineralogical study of sediment-hosted gold and uranium mineralization at denny dalton, pongola supergroup, South Africa, MSc UKZN
Tafangenyasha, C; Mthembu, A; Chikoore,H; Ndimande, N; Xulu, S and Gwcensa, N. 2011 Rangeland characteristics of a supercritically degraded landscape in the semi-arid area of South Africa. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management Vol. 2(3), pp. 80-87
Rienks, SM; Botha, GA; Hughes, JC. 2000. Some physical and chemical properties of sediments exposed in a gully (donga) in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and their relationship to the erodibility of the colluvial layers. CATENA Vol. 39(1), pp. 11–31
Questions:
When facing the waterfall from the opposite side of the gulley:
1. Describe the hill visible directly behind the waterfall.
2. Describe the hill to your left.
3. Is there a difference between the erosion patterns at the top and the bottom of the waterfall?
4. Name an indigenous plant growing at the site.
5. Optional: Post a picture of you at the waterfall.
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