Valley News – June 2025

At the outset, we wish all residents of the Van Riebeeckshof Valley a prosperous and safe 2026!

 

Before moving forward with renewed energy and enthusiasm, it is necessary to reflect on the successes and challenges that were faced during the last few months of 2025 that has gone by very quickly!

 

In this edition of our Valley newsletter, we would like to share some of the activities and initiatives we have been involved in over the past six months. Open communication between the committee and our community members is important to us, and we hope you find this latest edition of Valley News both informative and engaging. 

In this issue:

  • General
  • The Environment
  • Riesling Park
  • Majik Forest
  • Security
  • Conclusion

General

The Van Riebeeckshof Valley NPC (VRHV-NPC) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 2 October 2025. The Financial Statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2025 were approved, and the following directors were nominated:

  • Nelia Orlandi – Kanonberg HOA,
  • Emil Scheepers – Van Riebeeckshof MHOA,
  • Marléne Janse van Vuren – Van Riebeeckshof MHOA,
  • Thornton le Roux – Oude Westhof,
  • Christine Tubb – De Uitkijk HOA,
  • Anel Botha – Tygerberg Wetlands Association.

At the VRHV-NPC a process of Board rotation applies, and directors may serve for an uninterrupted period of 3 years. This approach ensures continuity and good governance. The following directors stood down, and the community is grateful for the unselfish effort that they have made to the success of the VRHV-NPC:

  • Nicolene van Niekerk – Finance;
  • Robyn Viljoen – Communication.

Notwithstanding the financial challenges, due to the withdrawal of the Welgedacht HOA, the services that the VRHV-NPC provides to the larger VRH Valley and it`s community has continued. Projects launched in previous years have been maintained; however, the initiation of new projects has had to be limited. Notwithstanding this, the VRHV-NPC Board initiated a community-wide process to consider steps that could be taken to restructure the VRHV-NPC, with the aim of improving cost-effectiveness and ensuring the continuation of existing services. The focus is to ensure that the Valley remains a prime example of an area where the community takes responsibility, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, to enhance the natural beauty and safety of the area to the benefit of all residents. To this purpose, a steering committee has been formed consisting of representatives of most HOA`s and Rate Payer Associations. The Steering committee is chaired by Mr Christiaan Barnard of the Oude Westhof MHOA.

 

It is envisaged to formalise a streamlined community business model that ensures that the current services provided by the VRHV-NPC continues. A firm proposal in this regard will be available to be shared during the first quarter of 2026.

The Environment

Trees along Van Riebeeckshof Road that are maintained by Evergreen Trees.

Local clean-ups are carried out weekly by Eden Landscaping, our contracted service provider, across the Valley’s general areas. These clean-ups focus on the route starting at the intersection of Van Riebeeckshof Road and Jip de Jager Road, continuing to the top of and around the Van Riebeeckshof Circle, and extending past the Majik Forest Shopping Centre, where litter is picked up, collected, and removed. Eden Landscaping ensures that the flower beds along van Riebeeckshof Road are neat and tidy, with the walkways staying clear of weeds and overgrowth occurring. Although the COCT is responsible for the maintenance of Riesling Park, Eden Landscaping also assists with the maintenance in Riesling Park.

 

Maintaining the vegetation on the traffic islands on Van Riebeeckshof Road is the responsibility of the COCT. However, certain of the traffic circles (at the traffic light) are maintained by the Christian Action Network (CAN).

 

The trees, donated by the COCT, that have been planted along Van Riebeeckshof Road and towards Kanonberg. Evergreen Trees, a contractor of the VRHV-NPC maintains these trees on a regular basis. In the dry summer months these trees are watered on a bi-weekly basis. The VRHV-NPC is grateful to the Welgedacht HOA for the provision of the water. Most of the trees have started to mature, and it is hoped that this initiative will, over time, make a significant contribution towards making our community even more beautiful!

 

Eden Landscaping working for the community.

 

Riesling Park:

Riesling Park continues to be a priority with ongoing efforts to enhance its natural beauty and preserve its charm. The challenges that the water overflow from the Naguil restaurant presents an ongoing challenge, but it is hoped that this will be resolved through the cooperation of the COCT. 

 

The Tygerberg Wetlands form an integral part of the Valley. On a monthly basis a team of labourers from Welgedacht HOA provides much needed assistance to ensure that the security fencing around the wetlands is maintained, and clearing the vegetation is addressed.

 

Welgedacht Team

Majik Forest:

The Majik Forest is a beautiful natural conservation area that enhances our Valley. As part of VRHV NPC's ongoing support for Majik Forest, a donation was made to support the work in the arboretum and the Educational Renosterveld Garden. This financial contribution helps fund the gardener responsible for maintaining both areas. It also enabled the planting of sixteen additional trees. We extend our thanks to the Vink's Greenbelt Association and the Wildflower Stepping Project (WSSP) for their continued efforts to care for and enhance the Majik Forest. 

 

 

There are several volunteer teams working tirelessly to enhance the Majik Forest. The following individuals need to be recognised:

  • André Venter and Anel Botha
  • Majik Forest Clean up (more than six thousand alien trees have been removed with tree poppers during this season) by Monique du Toit, Monique Green, and Marléne Janse van Vuuren.

Security

Surveillance cameras used to provide a further level of security

A primary focus of the VRHV-NPC is to create a safe and secure environment for Valley residents. Most of the homeowner associations have entered into service level agreements with security service companies to provide security services in designated areas. To enhance the level of security, the VRHV-NPC installed and maintains security cameras along Van Riebeeckshof Road. These cameras include Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) ability cameras. This means that vehicles that have been previously stolen or have been listed as suspicious by the SAPS are flagged. The security cameras are monitored at the ADT Control room at Welgemoed CID.

 

The provision of this camera coverage along Van Riebeeckshof Road—the main entry point into the Valley—adds an important layer of security for all residents in the area.

 

In Conclusion

 

After a challenging 2025 the VRHN-NPC Board wants to recognise and thank our stakeholders who have assisted us to enhance the natural beauty and safety of our Valley:

 

  • Councillor Ronel Viljoen for her unwavering support of the initiatives launched by the VRHV-NPC.
  • Anel van Wyk (Nolands) for ensuring that the VRHV-NPC functions smoothly!
  • Gerrit van Schalkwyk (Eden Landscaping) for maintaining the communal area clean and enhancing the natural beauty of the area.
  • Adolf Franzen (Evergreen Trees) for maintaining and watering of the previously planted trees.
  • Nicolene van Niekerk and Robyn Viljoen for their valuable contributions and hard work whilst serving on the VRHV-NPC
    Board.
  • Sean Pigden (Fidelity ADT) and his staff for their tireless efforts to ensure the safety of residents.
  • Arndt Mittendorf (Welgemoed CID) and his staff for providing monitoring services linked to the security cameras maintained by the VRHV-NPC.

 

We wish all the residents of the Van Riebeeckshof Valley a prosperous and productive 2026!

 

Regards

The Valley NPC team