The Rietvlei waterbody was buzzing with activity this past weekend while the public attended the free Milnerton Aquatic Club’s (MAC) 24-Hour Endurance Sailing Challenge.
The challenge saw scores of participants at Rietvlei showing off their watersport skills.
While the general public was not permitted to practise water sports while the 24-hour sailing challenge took place, spectators and visitors took advantage of the opportunity to access the Table Bay Nature Reserve free of charge.
This waterbody has been closed several times in the past year by the City of Cape Town due to pollution.
Rietvlei opened its gates in February this year after water samples tested by four different laboratories showed that the results the City have been obtaining in their own laboratory differ from the rest.
The popular sailing and windsurfing venue in Milnerton has been closed because City water quality tests showed dangerously high levels of E. coli, with knock-on effects for MAC.
The reserve is home to about 412 plants, 31 mammals, 196 birds, 33 reptiles, nine amphibians, and 14 fish species.
Besides the watersport activities at Rietvlei, the reserve also offers opportunities for wildlife photography, bird watching, nature-based environmental education programmes, as well as shore-based fishing, picnicking and braaiing at designated places.
The gatehouse is currently being revamped, and it has been barricaded to prevent any serious impact on the event and/or normal reserve operations.
The construction is scheduled to take approximately 55 working days to complete, pending unforeseen delays. Public access will be free for the duration of the construction period.
One of the visitors Daren Fortune says he is happy to see MAC returning to its former glory.
“The club has been through so much and it is great to see that they are moving forward. The day was absolutely amazing and long overdue,” he says.
Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment Eddie Andrews says the City was thrilled to host the event after nearly three years when the Covid-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the way of living and enjoying events.
“It’s been three years since we last hosted this event and it’s amazing to see the turnout. I was at Rietvlei to watch the challenge and was happy to see Capetonians making optimum use of this natural asset. People were hiking, jogging and walking in nature and others were picnicking with friends and family. This is what we want to see at these facilities. We understand that people may want to visit but that the economic climate makes it difficult, hence, we are offering free entry. Come out, don’t miss out on the free fun,” he says.
For safety reasons, no dogs, alcohol, kites or drones were allowed in the nature reserve.
Table Bay Nature Reserve is one of 21 nature reserves managed by the City’s environmental management department. The reserve protects about 880 ha of a variety of permanent and seasonal wetlands, as well as Cape Flats Dune Strandveld and Cape Flats Sand Fynbos vegetation types.
