The Friends of Muizenberg Park (FOMP) has received significant conservation funding from the Table Mountain Fund (TMF), providing a major boost to the organisation’s efforts to restore critically endangered Cape Lowland Wetland Fynbos within Muizenberg Park.

The funding will support the completion and expansion of FOMP’s ambitious ecological restoration project, which aims to protect and revitalize fynbos within the urban landscape, while inspiring the community to “value endemic species and become proud custodians of the Cape Floristic Region,” said chair, John Venn.

FOMP is a community-driven non-profit organisation (NPO) dedicated to the environmental restoration, care, and uplifting of Muizenberg Park for the benefit of both local biodiversity and the surrounding community.

Funding boost

In May, FOMP announced that Phase 3 of the rehabilitation project was nearing completion, after the park had become heavily overgrown with invasive alien vegetation and non-indigenous grasses.
During that month, the group announced that they had completed the planting of more than 2 000 fynbos seedlings.

“This year we are completing the final stage of our first targeted restoration of a vital ecological node in Muizenberg – the rehabilitation of critically endangered Cape Lowland Wetland Fynbos in the Park,” said Venn.

So far the volunteers have transformed about 1 000m² of degraded, waterlogged ‘lawn’ (and other areas) into a high-functioning wetland mosaic.

“By integrating nature-based solutions into a dense residential area, we are creating a safe, accessible ‘living classroom’ that demonstrates how high-value biodiversity can thrive alongside urban community life,” he added.

Wetland restoration

Visitors to the park will soon be able to interact intimately with the local flora through “innovative, sensory-focused landscaping,” Venn explained.

“To give one example, the team has planted a dedicated “scent garden path” where 15 species of aromatic fynbos can be directly experienced by visitors,” he said.

The third phase of this project was completed in June this year and included the creation of two new perennial spring-fed ponds surrounded by hundreds of square meters of new fynbos beds, in which were planted nearly 3 000 fynbos and other indigenous seedlings.

“With the backing of The Table Mountain Fund, this urban sanctuary will continue to grow, safeguarding South Africa’s irreplaceable botanical heritage while offering a peaceful, educational green space for the wider community,” Venn added.

The project has been previously funded entirely through donations from residents, individuals and private trusts as part of a R500 000 fundraising campaign.

People’s Post reached out to the Table Mountain Fund for comment but they could not respond before the time of publication.

Residents interested in supporting the final funding drive or learning more about upcoming garden tours can contact John Venn via email at jgvenn@yahoo.com or WhatsApp on 067 382 4260.

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