Valley News – June 2024
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:
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- Mid-Year Highlights!
- Winged Wonders!
- The Environment
- General
- Majik Forest
- The Tygerberg Wetlands
- Security
- System Upgrades
- City Upgrades
- Winter Readiness
- Enquiries
Mid-Year Highlights!
The VRH Valley-NPC committee members have had a busy first 6 months of the year - from security upgrades to environment activities and clean ups - the team have been on the go!
Communication between our committee and the community members is very important, and we do hope that you read our latest edition of the Valley News.
Below are flow charts which we have created to clearly illustrate the functions of the VRH Valley NPC and the benefits derived from its connection between the Home Owners Associations and the City of Cape Town, in case you are not fully aware of them.
Should you have any questions or need further understanding of the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Nolands (our Managing Agent) that will ensure that such queries are directed to the appropriate source - (anelvw@nolandstyg.co.za).
Winged Wonders!
In late February, Eagle Encounters assisted Cape Nature in the collection of a young vulture, which appeared to have blown off course and found its way to Riesling Park!
Two SANCCOB veterinarians were onsite at the collection and confirmed there were no obvious injuries to the vulture. As per Cape Nature protocol, the vulture was tagged, fed and treated for mites prior to being returned and released back to the Potberg colony at De Hoop Nature Reserve. The vulture is a social species and the young vulture needs its colony to survive.
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:
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- The general environment as a whole.
- The Majik Forest; and
- The Tygerberg Wetlands.
As mentioned in our previous newsletter in January this year, our committee members of the above 3 sectors communicate regularly, and there has been quite a bit of activities which have taken place over the last few months, with exciting plans to come!
General
Local Clean Up
Local clean up’s take place across our general areas within the valley on a weekly basis by our contracted supplier. From the start of Van Riebeeckshof Road at the main intersection of Jip de Jager , all the way to the top and right round the Van Riebeeckshof bend past the Majik Forest Shopping Centre - rubbish is picked up, collected and removed. We ensure our flower beds are neat and tidy, with our paths staying clear and no unwanted weeds and overgrowth occurring.
Riesling Park is a key focus area for the coming months. The environment committee has embarked on a new project aimed at developing Riesling Park into an eco park with pathways and tracks to be used by home owners. This will include curbing the spread of the invasive poplar species as required by law and the replacing it piecemeal with locally indigenous species. We began by removing saplings and smaller trees, as well as creating marked pathways for everyone to explore and walk through the park easily. Eventually the Kikuyu grass will be eradicated in patches and small indigenous gardens planted. For this we would like your help! If you would like to volunteer for this project, please contact us via our Managing Agent -
anelvw@nolandstyg.co.za.
The Wildflower Steppingstones Project (WSSP) has also helped within the general open public spaces of our valley - specifically been the Kreupelboom Dam and in the Educational Renosterved Garden in Majik Forest. For both of these activities, Curro Durbanville High School joined in and they cleaned up both area's as well as restored 30 Renosterveld plants and 800 bulbs by the Kreupelboom Dam!
The WSS project aims to restore and conserve critically endangered, locally indigenous vegetation by creating steppingstones and corridors for pollinators, birds, and other animals.
We would like to thank all who was involved in the activities for their enthusiasm and dedication to this project.
Feel Like Assisting? Volunteers are welcome anytime! Should you wish to reach them, you can do so through their Instagram page here: Feel Like Assisting? Volunteers are welcome anytime! Should you wish to reach them, you can do so through their Instagram page here: http://instagram.com/wildflowersteppingstones?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==.
With regards to the poplar trees, it is known that these are of an invasive nature and pose a threat to our river corridor, wetland ecosystem, and nearby infrastructure. To address this concern, we have enlisted the services of a reputable company with the required ecological competence to assist and carry out the necessary work, over an extended period. This is being done to ensure the work is done in close cooperation with the City of Cape Town`s Parks Department to protect and preserve the natural beauty of our neighbourhood.
Keep a look out though as there are more plans to come for Riesling Park and we urge you to take a walk and enjoy the beauty of the area!
Majik Forest
Although the Majik Forest belongs to the City of Cape Town, it falls within our area and forms a big attraction to many visitors. The VRH Valley NPC therefore assists in overseeing the area and brings issues and problems to the City’s attention to be rectified and fixed as soon as possible.
The City of Cape Town has advised that they are currently working on an updated plan for the area and will share this with the VRH Valley NPC once it is ready. The preservation of the endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld will remain a key focus, as well as restoring indigenous vegetation before removal of the unwanted exotics.
The City is also currently in progress with the "Betterment and Safety Upgrades of the Fynbos Dam" in Majik Forest. The project started in March this year, and was set to be completed by the end of May, however the work is taking some time and will continue on for a few more months. If you have not walked in the Majik Forest recently, take a stroll and enjoy the beauty of the area and see what the City is up to.
Our VR Valley Majik Forest Representative is also working closely with the Tygerberg Mountain Club Association, to create and install formal signage for the trails and walkways, allowing users old and new to find their way through the forest responsibly.
We would like to remind and 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 Tygerberg Wetlands
The Tygerberg Wetlands Association (TWA) is managed by trustees representing the surrounding homeowners` associations and includes individuals concerned with restoring the wetlands.
The TWA is extremely grateful to have Dana Grobler, a wetland restoration expert, volunteering his time and expertise to assist with the overall wetland eco-restoration project.
During March 2024, TWA members Andre Venter and Anel Botha represented the TWA at the Kenridge Primary School Heritage Walk. 220 Grade 4 learners learnt about the importance of the Tygerberg Wetlands.
On the 25th of May 2024, a general clean up and planting session took place within the wetlands. Local residents as well as CURRO Durbanville High students volunteered their time, entering the wetlands - picking up and collecting rubbish, filling a total of 10 bags!
150 locally indigenous plants were also restored within the Tygerberg Wetlands.
We would like to thank all of those individuals who were involved in the clean-up, especially Anel Botha for her energy and enthusiasm for the wetlands, arranging and driving regular clean-up’s like this one.
Should you wish to assist and volunteer for the Tygerberg Wetlands Association please contact Anel Botha - Mobile: +27 82 202 5607
Email Address: tygerbergwetlands@gmail.com.
Should you be a nature lover and wish to see what the birds and wildlife are up to - The TWA have recently installed an animal camera in the wetlands. With a live feed operating 24 hours a day - you are now able to watch all the little 'shy' animals explore the wetlands, which they call home.
Follow the Tygerberg Wetlands on Instagram & Facebook or search the hashtag #TygerbergWetlandsWatch to stay updated!
Security
Security is crucial to our community, ensuring our safety and well-being. By remaining vigilant, aware of our surroundings, and collaborating as a valley, we strengthen our area's resilience against potential threats.
System Upgrades
A second UPS (Uninterrupted power supply) system was installed at one of our security camera points earlier this year. This allows us to have a live feed from our cameras during power outages and load shedding.
We now have both our entry and exit cameras supported during load shedding, allowing for full coverage at all times.
City Upgrades
At the start of May, the City of Cape Town continued working on the footpath around our Van Riebeeckshof Road towards the robot, across from the Majik Forest entrance. This is the final stretch of the footpath to be finished and once completed, the Environment VRH Valley committee will be looking to landscape and clean up the corner area of greenery.
Winter Readiness
The winter rains are sure to arrive soon, and it is important to ensure that our drains and gutters remain clear, allowing for the free flow of water into the drainage system.
Please report any blockages to the City of Cape Town via one of the platforms below.
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