FoBCA AGM – 17 Oct 2020

The FoBCA AGM of the financial year 2019/2020 was held this past Saturday. Thanks to all the members who attended. 

Two committee members resigned from the FoBCA Committee – Nelis Visagie and Fred Metcalf. We want to thank them on behalf of all FoBCA members for their valuable input in the past years. Nelis is chairman of Friends of Rietvlei, so even though he is temporarily working on a project away from Cape Town, we will still be in contact with him. One of Fred’s valuable achievements was to organise the correct naming convention of the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve on Google – no mean feat when dealing with global IT enterprises! In their place two new committee members were elected, namely Rob Webster and Douglas Ulrich. Both these gentlemen are very involved with conservation and heritage issues in the area. 

Elzette Krynauw from the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Education Dept gave an interesting presentation on Beach Clean-ups – in general, and also focusing specifically on the Beach Clean-up she organised in support of World Recycling Day in September for the area between Bloubergstrand and Melkbosstrand. You can view her presentation here. Thanks go to the many FoBCA members who came to help.

Next Beach Clean-up: 27 - 31 October 2020!

The Clean-up ball has started to roll, is gaining momentum and is set to become a regular event. In partnership with FoBCA, Elzette has already initiated the next 5-day beach clean-up at the request of the residents of Melkbosstrand. Please join us on any or all mornings between 08:00 and 13:00, from Tuesday, 27 October to Saturday 31 October. It does not matter when you come, or how long you stay, any help is welcome. Many of the helpers remarked on how therapeutic the exercise is, with the crashing of waves in the background, bird calls in your ears, the gentle sun on your skin and the feeling of doing something worthwhile for the environment in your heart. Added bonus - you get in your dose of Vitamin D!

The World’s Best Outdoor Gym!

The volunteer Alien Hacking team has restarted their work on Tuesday mornings, clearing and maintaining areas on Blaauwberg Nature Reserve's eastern side. The more people helping, the more successful the clearing efforts.

If you are available on Tuesday mornings for a few hours, please join Eddie Heimann and his team members for a healthy bout of outdoor exercise, while contributing towards conservation. Eddie can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

City of Cape Town - Climate Change Strategy

HAVE YOUR SAY

It is the City’s vision to create an urban environment that is climate resilient, resource efficient and carbon neutral. Acting now will enable inclusive economic and social development and environmental sustainability. Addressing climate change requires collaboration, co-operation, and partnerships. As such, the City of Cape Town invites all interested parties to comment on the COCT draft Climate Change Strategy, which aims to:

• provide a framework for the City to transform the way it plans and operates and to ensure alignment of key City policies, strategies, and plans with climate change concerns while guiding directorates and departments through this transition;
• ensure that the co-benefits of climate change adaptation and mitigation - including job creation, improved health, reduced risk, improved energy and water security, and a range of other benefits – are maximised in the implementation of the strategy;
• address identified impacts within the City’s mandates and spheres of influence and to ensure that the City is able to address the challenges posed by climate change; and
• ensure the local economy can trade competitively in a global environment that is rapidly rejecting carbon intensive goods and services.

In terms of section 17 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, the public and interested parties or groups are given the opportunity to submit comments, recommendations or input to the municipality until 31 October 2020 (the deadline was extended).

Comments, recommendations and input may be submitted via:
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Website: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Coming FOBCA Events

For more information on any of these walks, please visit our website.

Milkwood trees For Sale

If you have walked the Coastal Dune Trail, you will most probably have taken a rest at the well half way, under a beautiful Milkwood tree. Read more about this lovely indigenous tree that thrives in our coastal conditions, at http://pza.sanbi.org/sideroxylon-inerme.

One of our FoBCA members has propagated 50 small Milkwood trees, selling them at the bargain price of R100 each. Proceeds will be donated to the FoBCA. 

Please contact Christiana Groenewoud at 082 294 1894 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in buying some of these lush trees.

Other News

• The Blaauwberg Nature Reserve’s latest Quarterly report for the period Jul – Sep 2020 is now available on the FoBCA website here. It makes for interesting reading, discussing for instance the recent purchase of Erf 2003 in Melkbosstrand. The area will become part of the Melkbos Conservation Area, which is a conservation corridor that will in due course be proclaimed as part of the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve. The property lies to the North of Ou Skip Caravan Park and to the West of the R27 (West Coast Road)
• Remember – members of the FoBCA can walk at no cost on the Coastal Dune Trail that starts opposite Eerste Steen. Don’t forget to purchase a Coastal Dune Trail Flower Guide at the Eerste Steen entrance (R100 per Guide) – it is great fun identifying the plants en route. On our website you can also see what is currently flowering here for instance...