Draw up – the weir at Zeekoevlei will be closed on Friday 5 August so depending on rain Zeekoevlei will begin to fill up. Hopefully your boat maintenance is complete and all shoreline preperations finished.
On the topic of waterfrontage – all the reeds that have been pulled and dumped on the verges in Zeekoevlei should be collected soon, the nature reserve has despite the removal of their budget, found internally enough money to pay for a grab truck to collect the bulk and I believe Friends of Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei are supplying some money to hire staff.
The financial crisis that has resulted from the withdrawing of funding from Nature Conservation for these local reserves is a huge issue (please read my last blog) I have met with our new councilor, Shaun August, who appears to be able to assist in finding a way forward on this issue, its a “wait and see…” By the way were you aware that our ward 67 now falls under Fish Hoek sub-council and no longer Rondevlei sub-council.
Tuesday 9th of August is a public holiday – how about a community beach braai and volly-ball on our own beach next to the Zeekoevlei weir (if the rains come and the vlei fills up it may be a bank braai and waterpolo). Come one come all and bring your thing, a wors, maybe some charcoal, and meet the locals. 13h00 sounds like a good time to relax in the sun on our own inland beach and if the latest weather is anything to go by, your costume too.
Finally Pre-paid Electricity is available at the Peninsula Superette, Local is Lekker!
Please let me know if the braai will happen on this forum-thanks
Joshua Gericke sent me an excellent mail this morning- i have used some of its content to once again call on the city to act re the Zeekoevlei situation- read full plea on http://www.bottomroadsanctuary.co.za
Please City see sense on this issue (refer all the other emails you have received) This is now getting beyond a joke. The people demand action on this now.
I have been informed by the only permanent staff member of Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve that unfortunately the vlei will not be getting any cleaner this year. The drawdown workers contract has ended, and that only leaves him and his volunteers to do odd jobs around the vlei- this is a disgrace.
The FBEP, a total of over 2000Ha has an annual operational budget of R80 000 for a total of 6 nature reserves. This is a JOKE-the city should be ashamed
This doesn’t even cover basic maintenance costs adequately and we have to rely on charity from the FoZR and other sources. If sufficient budget was to be had, the Reserve could run its own contracts for Drawdown and not have to deal with the above circus.
Ø At Zeekoevlei there are currently one manager, and two gate staff who alternate in shifts at the gate. There are no formen, workers, etc.an absolute catastrophe
Ø Zeekoevlei has no vehicles. It had an ancient colt bakkie, but it has been scrapped and not replaced. All work being done at the moment that requires a vehicle must be done with borrowed vehicles from other nature reserves if and when we can get them. Another joke.
Ø There used to be a community development funding that we managed to find to run our skills development program which provided at least with a labour team. This funding (almost R700 000) was taken away at the end of June to be used elsewhere. The is despite the great merit of the program that they were running. This is insane…
More on my website
James George
Bottom Road Sanctuary