In a landmark move for local conservation, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee has officially endorsed a proposal to proclaim Paardevlei as a formal nature reserve.
The decision, announced on Tuesday 3 March, marks a turning point for the 75-hectare site and represents a major victory for community activists who have long campaigned for its protection.
The proposal is part of a broader environmental push by the City to add 950 hectares to its managed conservation network. Alongside Paardevlei, council intends to proclaim the 13,2-hectare Schapenberg Nature Reserve, also in Somerset West, and expand five existing reserves, including the Wolfgat Nature Reserve near Macassar.
For the Friends of Paardevlei, the announcement is the culmination of months of public petitions and grassroots advocacy. In a statement to supporters, the group described the news as a “huge moment” that validates the community’s deep connection to the land.
“Your support helped show that Paardevlei matters deeply to the community, and that its protection is worth fighting for,” Tiffany Schultz of Friends of Paardevlei stated.
“It is clear that people do not only want Paardevlei protected in principle – they are also willing to show up and care for it in practice.”
The community has already begun hands-on restoration efforts, including invasive plant “hacks” led by site manager David Morris and local volunteers.
Future plans for the site include bird hides, guided nature walks and educational programmes in collaboration with groups like the Somerset West Bird Club.
According to Elmar Pollard of the Frog Friends Group, Paardevlei was previously drained every summer to control invasive weeds.
This meant that when the first rains fell and frog eggs hatched, the froglets had to disperse to the nearest body of water, usually the dam at The Sanctuary shopping centre, forcing them to cross the busy R44 with fatal consequences.
“Now with the new Paardevlei Nature Reserve, we believe that the Biodiversity Department is planning to create a permanent pond section at Paardevlei that will not be drained, hoping that the froglets will not have to disperse across the busy road,” Pollard explained. “We cannot be 100% sure this will happen or be successful, but this is currently under discussion.”
Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayoral Committee member for Spatial Planning and Environment, emphasised that these reserves serve a dual purpose: providing “havens of wellbeing” for residents while acting as critical “biodiversity offsets”.
“By securing these biodiversity offsets, we can facilitate future development without compromising our biodiversity,” Andrews said.
He noted that the reserves offer a vital escape from urban noise, providing spaces for recreation, tourism, and education.
While the Mayoral Committee’s endorsement is a significant milestone, several steps remain. The proposal now moves to the Full Council for formal approval, followed by provincial gazetting when it goes to the provincial minister of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. A 60-day public comment period will then be opened, allowing residents to weigh the intention to proclaim the reserves. Following the review of public input, the reserves will be officially gazetted.
You must be logged in to post a comment.