Cape Flats wetland Gets biodiversity boost as volunteers plant 200 indigenous species

Volunteers vow to serve Princess Vlei and ensure the wetland thrives and that the ecosystem is protected.

A group of more than 20 volunteers rolled up their sleeves and planted and tended to the plants at the wetland to celebrate Mandela Day on Sunday 20 July.

The members who took part on the day represent the Princess Vlei Forum (PVF), said founder member of Princess Vlei Forum Mea Lashbrooke.

Princess Vlei is a wetland area on the Cape Flats.

The PVF works with the community and the City to restore the biodiversity and transform the 110 ha into a world-class heritage site celebrating its rich natural, social and cultural heritage.

“For the past 10 years work parties have cleared alien vegetation and litter,” said Lashbrooke. “There’s more to be done. Volunteers have planted thousands of indigenous plants, which are already healthy, blooming and shifting the landscape to its original character. A walkway is currently being constructed around the whole area. At this current stage, seasonal holding ponds, an essential part of a wetland, are now being recreated.

At the planting session PVF intern Kamvu Nose explained to the volunteers and guests about the importance of the holding ponds, and how to carefully plant a donation of nearly 200 indigenous plants in the newest of the ponds.

The varieties that were planted that day were Leucadendron (golden cone bush), brown sage, wild dagga and bitou, added Lashbrooke. “The annual seasonal planting by learners, tertiary students and community members is an essential part of our restoration.”

She said rehabilitation work is a collective effort, to be accomplished within reason. Dredging and deepening in the late 1930s to prevent winter flooding across the newly-built Prince George Drive led to shifting vlei levels, which had been characteristically shallow with surrounding holding ponds drying up in summer.

Said PVF deputy chair Bridget Pitt: “We cannot restore the vlei to its original depth, but we are bringing the ponds back. This will see the return of endangered species such as the micro-frog…” She said flamingos and spoonbills once frequented the wetland. Funding for this work came largely from the National Lotteries Commission, Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust managed by Nedbank Private Wealth, Kirstenbosch branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa and Rowland Leta Hill Trust.