To celebrate Mandela Day, you are invited to join the City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Management Department at the Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve on 18 July 2023 where volunteers will be planting over 1 900 indigenous plants.
‘This is a great opportunity for residents to volunteer and join the effort as we are celebrating Mandela Day, one plant at a time. There is no limit on the number of participants, in fact, the more hands in the ground, the better. Preserving our natural environment for future generations is an important act of love and care. By participating volunteers will contribute to our efforts in restoring the natural heritage of the Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve. Let us follow in Madiba’s footsteps on this day by contributing our time to make Cape Town a more liveable city for all of us,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
How to join:
• Send an email to Abraham Saaiman – Abraham.saaiman@capetown.gov.za; or phone the reserve on 021 444 8971
• Planting will commence at 09:00 on 18 July 2023
• Meet at the entrance to the reserve on the Vissershof Road in Bothasig
• Wear suitable outdoor gear, hats, garden gloves and outdoor shoes
• Bring snacks or lunch and drinking water, and a garden spade
The plant species to be planted include Serruria aemula (critically endangered), Serruria trilopha (critically endangered), Serruria fasciflora (near threatened), Salvia aurea, Lampranthus bicolor, Leucadendron salignum, Lampranthus reptans (near threatened), Plecostachys serpyllifolia, Passerina corymbosa, and Metalasia muricata.
Some of the restoration activities include:
• the sowing of indigenous vegetation seeds
• planting of different locally indigenous plant species grown from seed or cuttings at the restoration facility at Westlake
The plants to be planted originated from the Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve itself, the N1/N7 interchange and Fort Ikapa; these are donor sites from where vegetation material is sourced and selected to ensure the genetic integrity of the local plant populations at the reserve.
More about the Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve
It is a 10 hectare gem located within the corners of Bosmansdam Road and Potsdam Road in Bothasig, and is managed by the City’s Biodiversity Management Branch. The management includes implementing restoration methods to improve the condition of the Critically Endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos vegetation found at the reserve.
The reserve is proclaimed as a Nature Reserve under the National Protected Areas Act.
‘The conservation team will guide volunteers in the planting process, and will also engage and educate them about the local plants and other biodiversity at this very special site. There will be guided walks as well. This is truly an opportunity not to be missed,’ said Alderman Andrews.
By participating in the City’s seedling and planting initiative on Mandela Day, volunteers will help preserve our natural biodiversity for future generations.
WHAT: Mandela Day – seedling and planting initiative
WHERE: Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve, Bosmansdam Rd, Bothasig, Cape Town, 7441
WHEN: 09:00 on18 July 2023 – Mandela Day
INFO: See How to join above | E Abraham.saaiman@capetown.gov.za | T 021 444 8971
PHOTO: The vulnerable Protea burchellii flowering at the Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve. National Protected Areas Act,
See also Cape Town Green Map
