Valley News – March 2023
Van Riebeeckshof Valley NPC is a non-profit company registered with the CIPC in 2019 and having as its members the various home owners’ and ratepayers’ associations and other community organisations in the Van Riebeeckshof valley. It represents and advances the interests of residents and local businesses / organisations, primarily through coordinated urban management and unified communication with the municipality and other service providers, focusing on safety, cleanliness / maintenance and place-making. Where necessary, it provides a top-up service (funded by members) in line with locally determined priorities, to the benefit of the area’s residents, property owners, businesses and their respective investments.
In this issue:
- Majik Forest Educational Renosterveld Garden
- Riesling Park Derelict Building Secured
- Tree Planting Project Continues
- Majik Forest Do's & Dont's
- Newly Installed Camera's at Eskom Sub Station Areas
- Invertor & Solar Installations
- Jip de Jager Road Upgrades
- Be Waterwise! Top 10 Tips from the City of Cape Town
- Additional Parking Area for Majik Forest Visitors
- Donate Responsibly
Environmental matters
March Lillies in Bloom at Kreupelboom Dam (Just outside Welgedacht Estate)
The Environment Subcommittee has been busy over the last few months, focusing on some key area’s within our valley and carrying out various projects, some of which include:
Majik Forest Educational Renosterveld Garden
The Wildflower Stepping Stones Project is a local community initiative. The main idea is to conserve and restore critically endangered vegetation in our area to support local biodiversity. One of the projects includes the development of the Majik Forest Educational Renosterveld Garden.
Last year, with permission from the Recreation and Parks department, volunteers rescued over 300 Erepsia vygies and hundreds of geophytes from the embankments of Jip de Jager road verge. These locally indigenous plants would otherwise have been lost due to the planned dual carriageway excavations. The Vygies have since been planted in close proximity to the planned Majik Forest Educational Renosterveld garden.
It is an honour to have Leon Kluge and his team on board. Leon is a well-known award winning landscaper. He has agreed to support the cause by designing and creating the above mentioned garden.
The Wildflower Stepping Stones Project has managed to secure support from various companies who have agreed to donate money and materials.
A special thanks to Appollo bricks, Quemic, Tygerberg Rotary club, Lethaba Green Consulting Engineers and local residents for their contributions.
If you would like to get involved please contact: wildflowersteppingstonesproject@gmail.com.
Riesling Park Derelict Building Secured
The derelict building has successfully been fenced off and is now secure to ensure the safety of all our members. Although the area has been fenced off, we do ask our community members to stay clear of the building and fencing.
Tree Planting Project Continues
Over the past 3 years, the City of Cape Town has donated a total of 40 trees, with 2 additional trees been donated by a resident of Kanonberg, the late Johan van der Merwe. The watering and general maintenance of the trees is carried out by Evergreen Trees. For the 2023 year ahead, the committee is optimistic for further donations of trees from the City, and the placement of these will be discussed and managed by the Environmental committee.
Majik Forest Do's & Dont's
The local Majik Forest is teeming with flowers, shrubs, and densely forested areas. The lush grassy banks, stretches of lawns and picnic areas are perfect places to relax for a bite to eat, while the children’s play area provides plenty of entertainment for the little ones. You can explore the forest along the walk ways and discover the different birds and plants along the way. Majik Forest has several mountain bike trails to make use of too - there are smooth paths made for speed, with bridges, rocky parts, and dips to navigate along the route. The main loop ranges from 2 – 5 km. These trails are maintained and managed by the Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club. Should you wish to become involved in the club, by way of making a donation or joining the club as a member, you can find out more information at https://www.tygerbergmtb.co.za.
We would like to urge our members to enjoy the forest responsibly, and to follow the Do’s and Dont’s of the area. It is also important to park safely when visiting the Forest, making use of the designated parking area’s within the area.
Security update
Newly Installed Camera's at Eskom Sub Station Area
We are happy to announce that at the start of September, two new CCTV cameras were installed at the Eskom power station parking area. Quite some time ago, the City of Cape Town awarded funds for security upgrades to the Oude Westhof and Van Rieebeckshof suburbs. Fast forward through many meetings and numerous site visits, the project has been completed with the 2 cameras now live from the end of November 2022! These cameras are monitored by the Welgemoed Safe Control Room, linked to the area’s security systems. Those who use the parking area – please remain vigilant and do not leave any belongings in your vehicle especially those that are visible
from the outside.
We would like to thank all those who were involved in this project, with a special thanks to Oude Westhof Security Trustee - Morne Viljoen who was the driving force behind the project.
General
Invertor & Solar Installations
The Van Riebeeckshof Valley NPC encourages the use of renewable energy resources in the form of solar panels. Should you wish to obtain solar panels for your premises, it is important to check with your Home Owners Assication regarding the rules and regulations around this. Some HOA's may require approval from Controlling Architect before installation takes place.
For further information regarding solar installations, choosing a solar PV system and how to sell excess energy back to the City of Cape Town - please click on the link below:
Additional Parking Area for Majik Forest Visitors
We are excited to confirm that the new parking area has been completed behind our local Majik Forest Shopping Centre, next to the Day Care Centre Kiddo Kids.
This will serve as additional, safe parking for those that frequent and visit the Majik Forest area.
We urge and remind our members to please park safely in official parking bays in the area and not make use of the sidewalk, or red NO PARKING areas.
Jip De Jager Road Upgrades
Upgrades have officially begun on the Jip de Jager Road, to increase the road capacity and alleviate traffic congestion. This is a major construction project, planned to take place over the next 22 months. The construction of walking and cycling lanes will also be installed, as well as an extension of the pedestrian culvert at Welgemoed Golf Course.
Members are reminded to be patient over the coming months while the construction takes place.
Donate Responsibly
The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is calling on everyone who lives, works or plays in Cape Town to be water wise at all times, especially this summer and during prolonged high stages of load-shedding. See below for the Top 10 Tips on how to be Waterwise!
INDOORS:
1. Don’t flush in a rush. Only flush when necessary and do not use your toilet as a dustbin. New or replaced toilet cisterns may not exceed six litres for each flush.
2. Take short, stop-start showers or small baths. The maximum flow rate of new and replaced showerheads may not exceed seven litres.
3. Wash more with less, for laundry and dishes. Only wash clothes and dishes (pots, cups etc) when really needed. Wait for a full load before using washing machines and dishwashers. Hand washing and spot-cleaning can use less water.
4. Turn off taps when not using the flow. E.g. Use a cup for shaving and brushing your teeth.
OUTDOORS:
5. Close the hose when washing the car. Hosepipes for washing vehicles must be fitted with a controlling device like a spray nozzle or automatic self-closing device. Stop-start your spray as you need it, and don’t spray more than you need. Alternatively, bucket-wash your car or vehicle.
Water gardens wisely:
6. Stop-start and slow your spray. Use nozzle restrictor or closing device.
7. Beat the heat loss. Only water before 09:00 or after 18:00 to avoid evaporation losses.
8. Water down to the roots directly where possible.
9. Keep summer fun water wise. Supervise careful use of water for children’s play, and cooling in hot summer months. E.g. Use a wet cloth to cool down hot skin, and avoid wasteful spraying of water.
10.Keep the pool full for longer with a cover. Built-in and fold-away pools must be covered to avoid evaporation when not in use. Recycle the backwash, and top up with rainwater or alternative water where possible.
Be Waterwise! Top 10 Tips from the City of Cape Town
We would like to urge all members to not give or leave food and other items on their bins for the homeless. This only draws bin scratchers to our area and we do not want to encourage this.
Should you wish to give to the homeless, please do this responsibly by clicking on the link below for The Haven Night Shelter: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/70751-the-haven-passport/#/
Enquiries
General enquiries regarding the NPC and its activities can be directed to your local homeowners’ or residents’ association, or alternatively to Anel van Wyk at 021 943 4340 or anelvw@nolandstyg.co.za at Nolands, our management agent. For more information, residents are also invited to visit the NPC website at www.valleynpc.co.za.
We are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of Cape Town’s northern suburbs. The NPC remains committed to working with the residents, businesses and organisations of this unique valley to ensure we maintain and enhance its natural beauty to the benefit of all living and working in Van Riebeeckshof Valley.
Regards
The Valley NPC team