The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), through the Coastal and Biodiversity Management Unit, hosted the Emerging Weeds Workshop at uGu Sports and Leisure, under the uGu District Municipality on 17 February 2026.

The workshop was held to address the increasing environmental and socio-economic threats posed by invasive and emerging weed species in KwaZulu-Natal. These species endanger biodiversity, strain natural resources, and create long-term management challenges.

Through this workshop, attendees were equipped with practical knowledge and skills to identify emerging weed species, understand their impact on the environment, and strengthen early detection and rapid response measures. The session also encouraged collaboration between stakeholders to improve reporting, develop coordinated control strategies, and support long-term management interventions aimed at protecting the province’s ecosystems.