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| Common waxbill. Paul Funston photo featured in 2025 calendar |
| Chairperson’s chirp and croak For most of us the first proper winter rains (which are falling as I write this) are a welcome relief for gardens and fynbos alike after the desiccating later summer months. And did I mention fires? But for a few others they are all about pollution: more specifically the repugnant piles of solid matter that flows down the vlei’s feeder streams (primarily the Westlake, Keisers, Langvlei and Sand), bringing us all the foul effluent of Westlake informal settlement, Steenberg, Retreat and a few other pollution hot spots. I’ve said it before (and I probably will again), that were it not for the system of litter nets we help to manage, we’d be up to the gunwales in waste. But the nets are not bullet – nor log, washing machine, nor engine block, nor builder’s rubble– proof. So it was that last year we set about designing, and then having manufactured a set of two metal litter grates. The grates were duly delivered late last year, then began the hop-skip-and jump that was getting everyone concerned agreeing about the how, where and when of installing them (call it the red tape worm of civic matters). They were designed to fit into the lower Sand River canal, without any permanent fixings. The Day of Installation finally dawned. Excitement was palpable among the cormorants, egrets and kingfishers that use the nets as feeding perches. In went grate one, four people in the water and four on the bank: each grate weighing in north of 200-kg. Much smiling and applauding. Then along came grate No. 2 on the back of the Nature Reserve truck. It was off-loaded, dragged to the canal edge … but lo, and oh no, it had been made the wrong way around. To explain ….. The grates were designed to be staggered about 10-m apart, and to fit against the sides of the canal, both facing upstream at 30° to act like catcher’s arms. Unfortunately, it became clear grate No. 2 also had the 30° – but facing downstream! The frowns and deplauding (I just made that one up) were palpable. The birds flew off in perturbation (that’s one’s legit). So it was back to the drawing board and the manufacturer in Retreat. Maybe before the next rains, the river gods and serpents willing. Be cool, stay dry, and please pick up some litter on your regular rounds about the vlei …. which reminds me. We are planning a “each one pick up some” litter campaign in the coming months. Watch out for the signs and remember to take a bag to pick up some. Yours in waders David B PS: The “first rains” of Tuesday 9th April brought a $#!^ load of solid pollution down the Langvlei-Sand River canal. See below for some of what would have spilled into the vlei and, ultimately, False Bay, if not for “our” nets. However, the load and flow were so heavy an emergency team had to be scrambled in order to save the nets. “We shall fight them on the rivers, we shall fight them on the vleis and beaches…” |
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| The chirping chairperson and the Trust’s steadfast litter and gardening man-at-arms, William Mauzi, installing Litter Grate #1. Photo by Kyran Wright. |
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| Some of what would have spilled into the vlei and, ultimately, False Bay, if not for “our” nets. |
| Nature Notes by Peter KrugerThe jewel of Zandvlei: Psoralea glaucina As we know, Cape Town is located in the Fynbos Biome, which is famous for its biodiversity and has over 3 000 plant species – 318 of which are on the Red Data Threatened List. Now have you ever walked around the Zandvlei Estuary and noticed tiny pea-like flowers, deep purple in the centre and paler around the fringe at your feet? They are usually found in clumps amongst the grass. If you look closer you will find that the leaves of this plant are trifoliate – which means that they have three leaflets joined at the base. This plant is Psoralea glaucina, a critically endangered plant, growing nowhere else in the world except in the Muizenberg/Capricorn area. Its survival is severely threatened by the increased growth of our housing developments. In the 1950s it was said to be “locally plentiful in the low scrub near the Muizenberg Cemetery”. The housing complex, Soralia Park, behind the Capricorn Pick ‘n Pay is named after this small plant. So look out for it, and appreciate it while you can – that is if you can find it! Your grandchildren may never have that privilege! If you want to do your share for the biodiversity of this area this plant is normally available from the FynbosLIFE Nursery on Promenade Road in Muizenberg. |
| Psoralea Glaucina |
| Looking Back by Damian Gibbs Winters and water Recent years have brought unprecedented rainfall to Cape Town and surrounding areas. Whatever your views on climate change, we can all agree that the intense rains and winds have real consequences for Zandvlei and those of us who call this area home. In July 2009, Cape Town airport’s rain gauge recorded a 50-year high for rainfall in just 12 hours. The result? Significant flooding in parts of Marina da Gama, as documented in Alice Ashwell’s photo collection from that time. With each winter’s first heavy downpour, Zandvlei’s water quality takes a predictable dip. This happens because rain flushes all the “nutrients” (pollutants) from the tributaries into Zandvlei. While the nets in the canals catch much of the visible debris, many invisible contaminants still make their way into our waterway. The good news is that Zandvlei typically recovers to acceptable water quality levels within a few weeks as contaminated water flows out to sea. The problem doesn’t simply disappear, though. It moves “downstream” where beachgoers and surfers at Muizenberg sometimes report infections after being in the water. Not all contaminants flow out to sea. Some settle into the silt at the bottom of Zandvlei, where they accumulate over time. The water current isn’t strong enough to naturally clear this buildup, and considering Zandvlei hasn’t been dredged in approximately 50 years, there’s likely quite a collection down there! Zandvlei and Muizenberg beach have shown remarkable resilience despite these challenges. But how much longer can Zandvlei maintain this resilience without intervention? As an environmental organisation, recreational users and residents who value this local natural resource, perhaps it’s time to see how we can take steps to protect Zandvlei for future generations. If you have ideas, energy, enthusiasm, or just care, get in touch info@zandvleitrust.org.za or visit www.zandvelitrust.org.za. |
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| Marina da Gama flooded in July 2009, as documented by Alice Ashwell. |
| People power revamps play parkNaomi Porter, a concerned resident of Marine Estate, has written to us about an inspiring project : “In September 2024, Zandvlei Play Park was a neglected space filled with broken play equipment, litter and overgrown gardens. The children trief to play, but the rusty slide scraped against their skin and the swings were no longer useable. A small community group came together to brainstorm – how could we make this park better? While we hade the enthusiasm and people power, we lacked the inside knowledge, connections, finances and administrative experience required to make any changes. “It was at this point that a connection was made with Zandvlei Trust who stepped in to support the project, providing the necessary administrative oversight, funding and connection to other stakeholders which was crucial for the project to succeed.We dreamed as a community, compiled a detailed project plan for Zandvlei Trust to approve and then we got to work. “Over the last few months, our park has been transformed. All of the play equipment has been either been replaced or repaired and repainted, the gardens have had some much-needed attention, we’ve removed a lot of litter, and we’ve implemented initiatives to support dog-walkers to pick up after their dogs. “The park is now a happy place for children to play, for parents and neighbours to chat and for people to sit and take in the beauty of the vlei and the mountains. On behalf of the project team and the broader community, we are so thankful to Zandvlei Trust for their generous support.” This has been a wonderful example of how Zandvlei Trust can make a difference in the community in just four months, helping to identify opportunities and then providing the organisational capacity to make things happen in consultation with the City. As a member of Zandvlei Trust, is there something you would like to do to improve or transform the Vlei and the area surrounding it? Have you wondered how to make it happen? The above is an example of what can be achieved. Make your membership work for you by contacting secretary@zandvleitrust.org.za and giving the committee a short synopsis of what you would like to achieve with our help. We can make it happen if the project is right, the funds are available and we can persuade the City. Let’s try. |
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| Group effort to improve The Row play park |
| Take part in City Nature ChallengeFree access to nature reserves this weekend Cape Town residents and visitors are invited to join people from more than 2 000 cities worldwide to participate in this year’s City Nature Challenge by capturing photos of any plants or animals on their smart phones or cameras from Friday 25 April 2025 to Monday 28 April 2025. Observations should be uploaded on the iNaturalist app. The theme for 2025 is ‘Bring the Globe Together for Biodiversity’. Access to the City’s nature reserves will be free for those taking part in the challenge. For more information visit• https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2025-city-of-cape-town, or• https://www.facebook.com/iNatureZA [Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town] |
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| Shaggy stargrass (Hipoxis villosa) |
| Save the AGM date: 22 May Members and interested persons are invited to the AGM of the Zandvlei Trust to be held on Thursday, 22 May 2025, at 18:00 for 18:30 at The Lookout, 57 Promenade Road, Lakeside (the old bowling club). Our speaker, Timm Hoffman, is emeritus professor in biological sciences and former Leslie Hill chair of plant conservation at the University of Cape Town. His research interests lie in long-term environmental change in southern Africa in response to land use and climate change. With photographs, he will show how South Africa’s vegetation has changed over the last 100 years. He will include historical photo comparisons from the Cape Peninsula as well as from Zandvlei, Lakeside and Muizenberg. Light refreshments will be served.Enquiries: info@zandvleitrust.org.za |
Zandvlei Trust Update
Common waxbill. Paul Funston photo featured in 2025 calendar Chairperson’s chirp and croakFor most of us the first proper winter rains (which are falling as I write this) are a welcome relief for gardens and fynbos alike after the desiccating later summer months. And did I mention fires?But for a few others they are all…
