Twenty volunteers honoured the spirit of former President Nelson Mandela on Mandela Day, Saturday 18 July, by taking part in a special planting activity at Princess Vlei, the recently formalised protected wetland sanctuary spanning Elfindale and Retreat. The event followed recent acts of vandalism at the site.

The planting was organised by the Princess Vlei Forum (PVF) and held on the Elfindale side of the Vlei, according to PVF chair Bridget Pitt.

The day’s restoration work involved clearing the land of invasive vegetation, such as kikuyu grass, to make space for the indigenous plants that used to thrive beside the Vlei.

Restoration

“This not only restores indigenous plant species but also the chameleons, frogs, birds and insects they support, many of which are threatened by extinction,” Pitt said. “Restoration also beautifies the space for the pleasure of visitors, and provides a place for children to learn about nature.”

Princess Vlei is home to the critically endangered Western Cape Leopard Toad, remnants of the critically endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos vegetation and endangered fynbos species, including the Marsh Heath (Erica verticillata) and the Strawberry Spiderhead (Serruria foeniculacea).

Residents of Grassy Park and the forum, which fought for more than a decade to preserve Princess Vlei from a proposed shopping mall development, celebrated the official opening of the Princess Vlei trail after the ribbon was cut on Wednesday 10 June (“Vlei Trail Park launched”, People’s Post, 16 June).

Vandalism

Recently, the vlei has been plagued by acts of vandalism, in which one of the bridge’s wooden boards was removed. The damage occurred only three weeks after the official opening of the R10,2 million development, which included boardwalks, bridges, seating areas, restored fynbos and upgraded public facilities.

City rangers reportedly interrupted suspects removing wooden slats from one of the bridges on Tuesday 30 June, causing them to flee and abandon the stolen timber.

Additional inspections later revealed damaged signs and a defaced information board.

To combat the threat of vandalism, PVF is partnering with the City of Cape Town to explore the installation of CCTV cameras in Princess Vlei after one of the footbridges was vandalised just weeks after the facility opened to the public (“Forum calls for support”, People’s Post, 14 July).

The interventions include working more closely with community policing forums and neighbourhood watches, improving existing security systems and exploring the installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations throughout the park.

Interventions

Several people visiting the Vlei and passing by the new walkway also paused to put a plant in the ground.

“These included a few dozen who joined the African Solidarity walk organised by the Ishraaq Solidarity Forum to show solidarity with people from other parts of Africa,” Pitt added.

An African Solidarity Walk typically refers to grassroots or pan-African public demonstrations held to advocate for human rights, self-determination and the economic integration of the continent.

The Ishraaq Solidarity Forum is a Cape Town-based civil society and grassroots activist organisation, which actively mobilises residents for human rights, social justice and international solidarity.

Earlier this month, Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate said the City has already increased patrols, involved law enforcement and is engaging security agencies to strengthen protection of the park.

Residents with information about the vandalism or any other criminal or by-law offences are encouraged to contact the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 or report anonymously to 0800 110077, available 24 hours a day.

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