Valley News – October 2022
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, focussing 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:
- AGM and Budget
- Environmental matters
- Security update
- General
Annual General Meeting & Budget
The NPC’s fourth AGM was held on Tuesday 30 August 2022 at Oude Westhof Retirement Village. The meeting was attended by most members, the ward councillor (Ronel Viljoen) and other community stakeholders. In addition to reviewing the previous year’s activities summarised in a Chairperson’s report and approving annual financial statements and a budget for the year ahead, the following members were elected to the Board (with their portfolios indicated):
- Ronel Retief (nominated by Kanonberg HOA) – Chairperson
- Chrystal Zietsman (nominated by Welgedacht Estate HOA) - Environment
- Robyn Viljoen (nominated by Oude Westhof Master HOA) – Communication
- Nicolene van Niekerk (nominated by Van Riebeeckshof Master HOA) – Finance
- Shelly Williams (nominated by De Uitkijk HOA) – Security
Whilst the Board meets quarterly, the above-mentioned subcommittees (headed by the relevant Board members) meet more frequently and is where the actual work takes place. Member organisation (or any of their members in turn) are welcome to volunteer to serve on or contribute to the work of these subcommittees. Where community members wish to get involved, they need to contact their local home owners’ or residents’ association, who will be able to pass on the relevant contact details.
Based on monthly household contributions via member organisations, a budget of just over R0,5m was approved at the AGM, in respect of which the lion’s share of expenditure goes to Environment (56%) and Safety (22%), with the remainder spent on Communication and Administration. Both the approved budget and last year’s approved financial statements are available on the NPC’s website for scrutiny.
Notwithstanding the benefit of direct service delivery top-up, the real value of the NPC lies in the considerable effort and energy that members and the board invests in coordination, collaboration and building working relationships with the municipality whilst speaking with a unified voice and integrating efforts with other roleplayers in the valley and neighbouring areas. Area management is only effective if it happens in a coordinated and integrated fashion.
Environmetal Matters
Aside from coordinating with City services and operations, the Environment Subcommittee drives a number of local maintenance and upgrade initiatives and top-up services. Amongst others this include:
Ongoing Tree Planting Project
With two rounds under the belt, the year kicked off with another round of the NPC’s ongoing tree planting initiative along Van Riebeeckshof Rd in partnership with the City Parks Department (who provides the trees free of charge, whilst the NPC takes care to plant and maintain them, including their regular watering). Ten trees have already been planted, with a further four on its way. This in support of the NPC’s ongoing objective to maintain and beautify our main road and enhance area amenity and character even further. As was the case in the previous financial year, the NPC have also budgeted to again maintain trees in the Majik Forest Arboretum.
New indigenous Waterpear trees planted along Van Riebeeckshof Road.
Van Riebeeckshof Road Reserve
Being our main access route and thus “front door”, the Subcommittee through a contracted service provider continues to ensure the Van Riebeeckshof road reserve is cleaned of litter on a weekly basis, especially around public transport stops, which are hotspots.
With a first section done pro bono by De Kruidenier Landscaping (and being maintained by the CAN), the Subcommittee has now completed remodelling and beautification of a second section of the traffic median island along Van Riebeeckshof Rd (next to Amandel Close/Klein Welgemoed I).
The City has also through the Ward Committee confirmed the last section of pedestrian walkway around the vlei, from the traffic light to the shopping centre turn-off, is planned for completion in the current financial year.
Vleiland Association Renewed
Caracal spotted in Van Riebeeckshof vlei area, opposite De Uitkijk Estate
The Van Riebeeckshof Wetland Nature Conservation (“Vleiland”) Association in July 2022 held its AGM where a new management committee was elected, with Emil Scheepers (Van Riebeeckshof MHOA chairperson) as its chair. At the same time, it adopted new membership rules allowing individual HOAs and external individuals / organisations dedicated to conservation to join as members.
With most NPC members now also member of the Vleiland Association, the association’s objective remains the restoration and protection of the vlei and its natural biodiversity to the benefit of the Valley as a whole. Amongst others, primary objectives remains countering invasive plant growth like kikuyu grass and other species to encourage indigenous flora and restoration of the perimeter fencing.
Renosterveld Conservation
Consisting of a small group of dedicated individuals, a ‘Wildflower Stepping Stones Project’ has been kicked off in the Valley area to restore patches of Renosterveld. Sections in various parks have been cordoned off with poles and twine to protect it from moving and allow flowering and seeding. These areas contain high concentrations of locally indigenous bulbs, annuals and orchids preparing to bloom.
Creating small islands of wildflowers (called Stepping Stones), as opposed to keeping entire parks not mowed seasonally, creates an invaluable environmental impact supporting butterflies, bees, birds and biodiversity in general, whilst also having positive social benefit through enjoyment of the outdoors and beautifying our area. For more information or to get involved, visit Wildflower Stepping Stones Project on Facebook.
Example of cordoned off area - keep a look out in your area and try to spot them!
Security update
Valley safety and security remains a cornerstone of the NPC’s mission. Coordinating proper communication and integration between the various role players and security service providers in our area, including the actions of the different estates, neighbourhood watch and neighbouring areas remains a critical task of the Security Subcommittee.
Besides coordinating these actions in the Valley, the NPC also continues maintaining existing cameras along Van Riebeeckshof Road (monitored on contract by Welgemoed Safe). Being a popular entry point into the Tygerberg nature reserve and frequently used by Valley residents, the Security Subcommittee is also working with the City to install new cameras at the parking area next to the Eskom substation above Riebeeckshof and Oude Westhof. Further cameras are also considered at the bottom entrance to Majik Forest. Linking with the wider area network, such an integrated camera network helps to detect, trace and respond to suspicious vehicles and activity even before it reaches our area.
General
Valley Representation
After his nomination by the NPC, Emil Scheepers (ex NPC Board member and continued Van Riebeeckshof Master Home Owners’ Association trustee) was appointed as Valley representative to the Ward Committee (Ward 70). He continues to ensure there is clear liaison with the City in representing the Valley’s affairs.
Fault reporting - City of Cape Town Customer Relations for Water & Sanitation
The City of Cape Town has launched a new customer relations Whatsapp channel number, making it easier for one to report water and sanitation problems.
You can save the following number: 060 018 1505 or scan the QR code below to easily add the number to your contacts.
Should you wish to report a fault, please follow the above channels and do not report it to the VRH Valley NPC - all fault reporting must be completed via the City of Cape Town channels.
Fault reporting - City of Cape Town Customer Relations for Water & Sanitation
As many of you may have seen and been advised, one of the walls of the old building at the entrance to Riesling Park (from Van Riebeeckshof Road side) has collapsed.
The VRH Valley Directors are aware of the collapse, and have also notified the City of Cape Town (CoCT) thereof. We will be working in conjunction with the CoCT to ensure that the area is cornered off and secured as soon as possible.
We urge all community members to not frequent this area and take caution to stay safely away until such time that the area is fully secure.
Unwelcome Handouts
Residents of the Valley are encouraged to not give hand-outs to beggars, as this also attracts criminals to the area. Instead, rather donate food or supplies to a nearby homeless shelter or reputable community organisation, if you would like to help those in need.
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