Valley News – July 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:
- Welcome 2024!
- The Environment
- Tree Planting Project Complete
- Stormwater culvert repairs
- Majik Forest
- The Tygerberg Wetlands
- World Wetland's Day (WWD) is on Friday 2nd February 2024!
- System Upgrades
- Local Roadside Clean Up
- Enquiries
Welcome 2024!
The Van Riebeeckshof Valley-NPC committee members are looking forward to a positive and enjoyable 2024 year ahead, working together as a community to ensure our valley is one that we can be proud of! This could not have been more relevant by the wonderful show of solidarity in our community when a fire in the Tygerberg Nature Reserve threatened to cause serious damage to properties in Kanonberg. The way the community got together to assist the COCT Fire Brigade personnel by providing food and drinks was wonderful. We can be justifiably proud to be part of community that stand together and looks after the interests each other!
Notwithstanding the positive elements referred to above, lessons have also been learnt from the experience. The need to have a Risk Management plan in cases of emergencies has been noted and will certainly form part of the VRH Valley-NPC`s agenda going forward.
The VRH Valley-NPC committee consists of members from within our community, all with their own portfolio. Constant communication is kept open within the committee, with face-to-face meetings held quarterly. In September 2023, the VRH Valley-NPC held their AGM, where the election of the new directors/committee members took place.
We would like to introduce our new committee members below and give special thanks to Ronel Retief (Chair) and Chrystal Zietsman (Environment) who served on the committee for the 2022/2023 year.
Chairman:
Emil Scheepers
Finance:
Nicolene van Niekerk
Security:
Shelly Williams
Communication:
Robyn Viljoen
Environment:
Wim De Klerk
Majik Forest:
Nelia Orlandi
Tygerberg Wetlands:
Anel Botha
The Environment
As our environment is one of the key focus points in our valley, the committee felt that it would be best to subdivide the duties of the environment into 3 sectors, these been:
- The general environment as a whole
- The Majik Forest
- The Tygerberg Wetlands
The committee members of the above 3 sectors communicate regularly, with activities and work already completed, and more to come within the year ahead.
General
Tree Planting Project Complete
Over the past 4 years, the City of Cape Town has donated a total of 90 trees, with 2 additional trees donated by a resident of Kanonberg, the late Johan van der Merwe. Our tree planting project has now reached completion, with the final trees having been donated and planted throughout the 2023 year. The final batch was planted in October last year. The trees have been placed throughout the valley along the full belt of Van Rieebeckshof Road, as well as some of the greenbelts in the surrounding areas. our trees are cared for regularly, and they are growing very nicely, and we hope they continue to flourish! The current heatwave we are experiencing presents a challenge to maintain the trees that were recently planted. We would like to thank you City of Cape Town for their donation and assistance with the trees for our area.
Stormwater culvert repairs
In September 2023, the stormwater culvert in the Tygerberg Wetlands was repaired. The canal had deteriorated and there was a concern for the Van Riebeeckshof Road surface becoming compromised. The Stormwater Department successfully completed the repairs, and the culvert is open and working well.
Majik Forest
Did you know that the Majik Forest belongs to the City of Cape Town?
The City of Cape Town manages the forest and provides the funding for the Rangers who are placed at the Jip de Jager entrance to the forest.
As the forest falls within our area and is such a big part of our community, the VRH Valley NPC assists in overseeing the area, and brings issues and problems to the City’s attention to be rectified and fixed as soon as possible.
Majik Forest Rangers
Many members of our community often ask about the Rangers in the Majik Forest, and their responsibilities and duties. There is sometimes confusion about what they do, and therefore we thought this is a great way to let everyone know.
The Rangers are appointed by Recreation and Parks, via tender owned by the Biodiversity Management Department. Whilst they do attend to general safety and security matters and law enforcement, their main training is focused on nature conservation law enforcement.
The purpose of the Ranger capability is to provide various services related to visitor management as well as staff safety, and to provide additional surveillance for park infrastructure. Rangers are required to liaise with members of the public with regards to park-related activities, directions, and rules as well as local information.
The Rangers are also responsible for first response to injuries/medical emergencies, wildfires, environmental disasters, and wildlife-related incidences within the area of operation. Most importantly, the Rangers are responsible for providing nature conservation law enforcement services, including but not limited to foot patrols. The tender is written to support nature conservation reserves and the Recreation and Parks therefore employ the Rangers in those parks with a biodiversity component that require protection - for example - The Majik Forest!
We would like to urge everyone to make use of the Majik Forest in a safe and responsible manner - to enjoy the beautiful nature, to remain on the walkways and paths, and to not litter or bring unwanted elements (confetti/balloons) into the forest.
The Wildflower Steppingstones Project (WSSP) has also helped within the forest. The project aims to restore and conserve critically endangered, locally indigenous vegetation by creating steppingstones and corridors for pollinators, birds, and other animals. They have been hard at work throughout our area as well as within the Majik Forest Educational Garden.
Feel Like Assisting?
Volunteers are welcome anytime! As of the 10th of January 2024, the WSSP Team will be back in the Majik Forest gardens every Wednesday from 08h30 - 12h30. All volunteers are welcome, and should you like to join please ensure you bring along gloves, a weeding tool, hat, sunscreen, and water.
Should you wish to reach them, you can do so through their Instagram page here: http://instagram.com/wildflowersteppingstones?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==
The Tygerberg Wetlands
Since the wetlands form an integral part of the wider community, the association managing the wetlands in partnership with the City of Cape Town is now called The Tygerberg Wetlands Association.
It is managed by trustees representing the surrounding homeowners` associations and includes individuals concerned with restoring the wetlands.
During 2023, steps were taken to start the process of eco-restoration. This vision aligns with the United Nations decade (2021 - 2030) of eco-restoration.
The Tygerberg Wetlands Association is grateful to have Dana Grobler, a wetland restoration expert, volunteering his time and expertise to assist with the wetland restoration project. Please do not be alarmed when you see activity within the wetlands - this is being carried out by reputable contractors that will be removing the invasive poplar trees along the watercourse. The removal of the poplar trees will take place over an extended period and will be done safely to ensure there is no further damage to the wetlands.
This will give our very important wetland vegetation and locally indigenous trees a chance to recover.
WORLD WETLAND’S DAY (WWD) IS ON FRIDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2024!
This year`s WWD celebrates the relationship that people have had with wetlands throughout time. Our wetlands are extremely important to us and our neighbourhood, so we urge you to be mindful and look after the wetlands in any way you can.
Should you wish to assist and volunteer for the Tygerberg Wetlands Association please contact them.
Contact Name: Anel Botha
Mobile: +27 82 202 5607
Email Address: tygerbergwetlands@gmail.com
Security
System Upgrades
During the second half of 2023, a new UPS (Uninterrupted power supply) system was installed at one of our security camera points. This allows us to have a live feed from our cameras during power outages and load shedding. A second UPS system will be installed in the coming months to another camera, allowing full feed access both into and out of our valley.
Local Roadside Clean Up
Early in January, the Protea Valley Residents Association completed a cleanup along Van Riebeeckshof Road. Our local ward councilor Ronel Viljoen also joined the cleanup - picking up trash, cutting open the low hanging trees along the road, and identified and cleared problem areas.
Although the Protea Valley is not part of the Van Riebeeckshof Valley-NPC, we thank them for the cleanup and all efforts made to ensure the valley we share remains clean and beautiful for all.
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