The state of estuarine knowledge of the communities of the Tyolomnqa Estuary in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

This article reports on a knowledge audit study that explored the state of estuarine knowledge sources, gaps and needs of the communities of the Tyolomnqa Estuary in the Eastern Cape from the perspectives of estuary users. Through a case study approach, unstructured and focus group interviews were conducted. The study found that the communities living along the Tyolomnqa Estuary did not have sufficient knowledge on how to address estuarine related problems. The findings revealed that lack of practical know-how, skills and expertise would result in irreplaceable natural resources like estuaries being threatened and destroyed. Enhancing estuarine knowledge may help the Tyolomnqa Estuary communities to act and make effective decisions about the sustainable management of the Estuary. However, for this to materialise there is a need to identify where knowledge is being created, where it already exists and where it is needed through a knowledge audit. Knowledge auditing is the first step in developing a knowledge management strategy.