Friends of Zeekoevlei & Rondevlei
The Friends of Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei is an apolitical, community-based non-profit organisation that aims to assist the nature reserve authorities to protect the much-threatened flora and fauna that make this corner of the Cape Flats their home.
Since our inception in September 2006 we have:
- Persuaded the City to build a cut-off drain to limit seepage from the sewerage works into Zeekoevlei. This has reduced the nutrient loading of the vlei by 24% and has improved water quality.
- Prepared an application for RAMSAR international conservation status for Rondevlei and Zeekoevlei Nature Reserves
- Partially funded an assistant environmental education officer for Rondevlei
- Funded tree poppers to assist in alien clearing
- Helped to fund a water hyacinth ‘muncher’ designed by Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve and a local resident, Dunston Runciman
Removing invasive water hyacinth is an ongoing challenge
- Held two community fund-raising festivals with the Zeekoe Fees and will be launching the first Hipp-a-thon biathlon at this year’s Zeekoe Fees on 21 November 2009.
- Contributed to environmental impact assessment processes for:
- Pelikan Park extension on the eastern shore of Zeekoevlei – including objection to positive Record Of Decision because of operational problems at Strandfontein sewage works.
- The Schaapkraal stormwater system
- The proposed use/disposal of sediment from Zeekoevlei
- Actively objected to and canvassed against other proposed developments, which have yet to be built:
- Erf 259 (2006): Proposed townhouse development of 28 units and a clubhouse on vacant land on Peninsula Road.
- R300 Toll Road (2000): Proposed 6-lane highway that would have run along Zeekoevlei’s southern shore. Interested &Affected Parties last commented on the Environmental Impact Assessment formally four years ago and the final report is still yet to be submitted.
Spring Walk in Rondevlei Nature Reserve
