The Hoerikwaggo Page 2 A word from the A Map of Achievements and Page 6 Trails Park Forum Steering the TMNP Celebrations INSIDE Committee and it’s & BACK recreational PAGE areas Page 3 Page 4 ParkNEWS NATIONAL PARK • DECEMBER 2005

Awesome Afromontane

If you are suffering from winter blues of Project Manager, Mbali Mthethwa. The and need an energy boost there are collectors are all employed from disadvan- few things more revitalizing than a stroll taged communities and have been trained though one of the peninsula’s indig- in seed collecting, germination and propa- enous afromontane forests. These ma- gation. Because ’s forests have jestic and leafy ecosystems are central become isolated from other forests in the Western Cape due to urbanization, seeds to the TMNP’s unique biodiversity. With are collected locally in order to preserve in excess of 40 species of trees inter- genetic integrity. spersed with a variety of shrubs and vines, the forests literally teem with bird Once collected the seeds are germinated and animal life. in the nursery at Newlands and planted out once they are around 15 cm tall. This is important because they are more likely to adapt to ecological challenges than es- tablished trees. Trees are planted in groups or nurse stands – in forester’s jargon this is referred to as “trees growing trees”. Weed Says Carina, “The seed collection project Control only entails a minor intervention as when we plant the trees we simply dig a small There are around 360 alien hole and water the tree only once. The rest plants in Newlands for- is up to the tree and climatic conditions. est alone – most of them in- “In good rainfall years such as 2003 we vasive. Many of these aliens are enjoy almost a 100% success rate but in garden escapees - such as Chinese 2004 we had a high mortality rate due to Privet and Eugenia - and pose a real an extremely dry winter. By not watering threat to the natural diversity of the for- or feeding the trees we ensure that the ests. In order to stem this deadly tide of rehabilitation of the forest is as close to growth 10 people from the The TMNP Forest Rehabilitation Programme the natural process as possible. We also Community in have been re- is a proud conservation initiative and has find that certain trees respond to different cruited and trained to specialise in alien Groups four sub-projects that are inspirational, conditions. Country-wide this type of for- of 10 contemporary and cutting edge: clearing in forested areas. This includes the estry is still very much in a research phase ability to distinguish between alien and in- people will Seed Collection – funded by the Table so we learn something new every year.” digenous seedlings. attend classes Mountain Fund and SAPPI and do practi- Gap Management It has been a mere 10 months since the cal infield training Gap Management – funded by City / project started and already over 15 hect- Younger, but no less effective, the Gap in fields such as soil Department of Environmental Affairs & ares of alien plants have been cleared Management Project started in 2004 and stability, germination, Tourism (DEAT) from alone. However it aims to manage the felling of big forest propagation, and sus- is important to note that, as with all alien Weed Control - funded by DEAT trees (mostly alien) in order to minimize tainable harvesting. clearing, only half the battle is won with the damage to the forest canopy (which can Medicinal Herb Garden – funded by the initial clearing and it is essential to ensure Mbali Mthethwa also project be significant) if a large tree with an ex- National Lotto Company that the project includes follow-up clearing. manages this initiative and is look- pansive crown falls naturally. After special- The Seed Collection Project ing forward to what she feels will be ist felling intensive rehabilitation is under- The Medicinal Herb Garden a learning curve for all, “Once the gar- Born out of a need to rehabilitate seriously taken ensuring that the debris from each This is an extremely creative solution to den is established healers will be able to degraded areas of forest and to compen- tree is neatly stacked over the stump in the tension that exists between conserva- either come here and harvest what they sate for trees that have died due to bark order to accelerate natural rehabilitation. tion initiatives and traditional use of plant need or, even better, take cuttings and seed harvesting, the five-year old Seed Collection In one year around 65 hectares of big alien to grow in other areas of Cape Town.” Project has resulted in around 35 000 in- and tree species that are now protected trees have been successfully cleared from by the National Park and the traditional TMNP extends a heartfelt thanks to the digenous seedlings being replanted in the the indigenous forests. Newlands and Orange Kloof areas. use of plants often involves unsustainable South African Biodiversity Institute for do- This project is an excellent example of bark and plant harvesting. nating plants and sharing their knowledge. But, now that the project is enjoying social development through conservation. such good results in its pioneer areas, it It is illegal to harm any indigenous flora The six staff, originally from the Chrysalis in the TMNP but the Park is surrounded has been extended Park-wide to include Academy, have been trained in arboricul- The commercial timber company both afromontane and scrub forest in the by a huge community of traditional users ture, and advanced chainsaw skills as well from Rastafarians and herbalists to heal- Mountains to Oceans has won southern and central sections of the Park. the tender to harvest the Tokai as business management. Once their train- ers and sangoma’s. Philosophically the and Cecilia pine plantations over The project, initiated by Carina Potgieter, ing is complete they will be well qualified TMNP is committed to the concept of a period of 20 years. Once areas now has 7 workers under the leadership to market their skills on the open market. “benefits beyond boundaries” and recog- have been clear felled they will be nizes the spiritual and traditional values of handed to TMNP for rehabilitation. all Park users. TMNP is sensitive to the recre- So, in a project pioneered and researched by ational value of these areas and will Carina Potgeiter, in conjunction with lead- be engaging stakeholder groups as ers in the Traditional Healer’s Association to the future of the areas marked of the Western Cape and funded by the for rehabilitation. Heritage areas such as the Arboretum will be left National Lotto, the TMNP is set to begin untouched. planting a medicinal herb garden on the terraces near . From the For more information on this topic outset healers will be involved in all aspects please visit: www.tmnp.co.za. The Newlands Seedling Nursery The future Medicinal Herb Garden site of preparing and attending the garden.

A Park for All, Forever ‘n Park vir Almal, vir Altyd iPaka yoluntu lonke ngonaphakade Access for All Brett Myrdal, the Park manager and Volunteers: SANParks National Director of People On the same day that he opened the The card holder may choose to have an & Conservation, Dr. Razeena Wagiet, Hoerikwaggo People’s Trail, Minister van additional adult loaded onto the card- this real people presented certificates of apprecia- Schalkwyk presented City Councillor is also done by loading their identity num- tion to TMNP the volunteer groups Abre Hannekom with the unique Cape ber onto the card as well. In essence this making a real such as: Boulders and Town WILD Card which is exclusively makes the additional person a primary Volunteers, EE Volunteers, Silvermine available to citizens of Cape Town. card holder too. difference and Sunbird Volunteers, Volunteer Visitor Safety officers, Volunteer The card is flexible, which means the card The card, part of the SANParks WILD Rangers, Volunteer Firefighters and holder is allowed to bring friends and fam- On Friday 28 October TMNP host- Card stable, creates affordable access to Ikapa Honorary Rangers. the Table Mountain National Park. ily using the same card e.g. six people at ed its first ever Volunteer Expo. This a time - with a maximum of four adults. A number of Friends groups like Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk and was a marvelous chance to show- The card costs R45 and gives the pur- Please be advised that one person equals Friends of Silvermine, Lions Head, Councillor Abre Hannekom case the work of more that 20 dif- chaser 12 entry credits per year to any of one credit. The maximum of six people Vlakkenberg, Elsies Peak also received ferent volunteer groups providing the following pay points in Table Mountain visiting at the same time would therefore card at an additional cost of which is de- certificates. The Mountain Club National Park: the be using up six credits. termined by the impact of their chosen valuable service in the Park. of , Wilderness Search (Cape Point), Boulders Penguin Colony activity. Currently there are three levels The TMNP Cape Point volunteer and Rescue, the Hiker’s Network and Silvermine. The card also provides for An individual can only purchase one Cape of activities: group stole the show by putting up and Chrysalis Academy were also use of the braai facilities at the Newlands, Town WILD card per annum. Once the amongst those who were recognized Level 1: The dog walking permit allows the the most attractive display of lo- Oudekraal and Perdekloof picnic sites. 12 credits are used up they would have for their sterling volunteer efforts in to upgrade to a Cluster or an All Clusters card owner to walk two dogs at R55 for cal flora and fauna. The volunteer The card is a smart card and requires the the park. WILD Card. the whole year. fire-fighters added some drama be- card holder’s identity number to be loaded cause their interesting display had To become a Table Mountain National onto the card. There are different ways to Recreational Permits Level 2: Hang / Paragliding, Sport / Rock to be dismantled in a great hurry as Park Volunteer please contact Joan Climbing at R130. make use of the cards’ benefits: To help the TMNP maintain its infrastruc- they were called out to fight a fire Daries on [email protected] or The 12 entries can be used 12 times by ture certain recreational users need to Level 3: Horse Riding and Mountain Biking in Orangekloof. call 021 701 8692 the individual card holder. have an activity permit loaded onto their at R200. The Ancient Spirit of Hoerikwaggo

The long awaited Hoerikwaggo Trails are The Hoerikwaggo Table Hikers on the Hoerikwaggo Table Mountain TMNP could not have achieved the roll Trail will experience many of Cape Town’s out of these trails without the generous well underway with two out of four trails The Hoerikwaggo People’s Trail is an edu- Mountain Trail essential attractions such as a cultural assistance of our partners: DEAT, the launched this year by the Honourable cational, outreach hike that enables youth Date: November 24 2005 tour of the City that includes a boat and the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs and from disadvantaged communities to hike ride in the harbour, the Nelson Mandela Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk. and overnight on Table Mountain. The hike Place: Upper Wash House, Table Mountain Gateway; the Museum and the is two days, one night and 14 kilometers National Park Please visit www.hoerikwaggotrails.co.za Aimed at two very different target markets Malay Quarter. Over the next two days a in length. The route is definitely one of the or call 021 465 8515/9 for more detailed the People’s Trail and the Table Mountain Cable Car ride, a night on the top of Table most beautiful hikes in the mountain chain information on these trails as well as two Trail opened in June and November re- Mountain, pristine fynbos, afromontane and starts with the trail up Disa Gorge and additional trails due to launch in 2006/07. spectively. forest and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens ends with a descent via Platteklip Gorge. complete this memorable experience. The Hoerikwaggo It is fitting that the first time Table Mountain Says Park Manager, Brett Myrdal, “The People’s Trail National Park offered overnight accom- On the same evening as the Hoerikwaggo Trails combine some the of modation on the mountain the beneficia- Minister launched the Hoerikwaggo Date: June 16, Youth Day 2004 the most important priorities for all South ries of this incredible experience are the Table Mountain Trail he was also the African communities by building parks and Place: The People’s Trail Hut, Back Table youth of Cape Town – our future politi- recipient of three significant maps. at the same time building people - through cians and conservationists. John Obree, Surveyor General, job creation, training, employment, and also handed over the original cadastral The trail is administered by a “con- Dr Razeena Wagiet, SANParks Director of People by creating a sense of ownership and pride maps of the Western Cape, plotted sortium” consisting of TMNP, Pride of & Conservation and Minister van Schalkwyk at in our conservation efforts and tourism from Maclear’s Beacon and Peter Table Mountain, the Hikers Network the opening of the Table Mountain Trail facilities. Perhaps the most heart warming Slingsby presented him with the and Schools Environmental Education aspect of this suite of Trails is that profits first Xhosa and maps of Programme (SEEP). The last three orga- On a perfect summer evening enhanced from the Table Mountain Trail will be used Table Mountain. nizations are all not for profit outreach by the sweet sounds of the Camissa to make access to the Peoples Trail afford- groups that are already involved in orga- River, Minister van Schalkwyk wel- able to the youth of Cape Town.” nizing outdoor experiences for kids from comed the advent of this unique trail, Youth at the People’s Trail overnight hut poorer communities and will provide hike “Our Department is very proud to be leaders and guides. part of the creation of these new trails. The Trail honours the youth that gave Boots for the The overnight facility is superbly situated They add a whole new dimension to the their lives so that all South Africans may on the scenic “back table” and provides tourism products on offer in the Cape Hoerikwaggo have the freedom to experience the dormitories that can accommodate 20 - opening the door to fantastic new spirit of Table Mountain and hike in the people, a fully equipped kitchen, gas and experiences of some of our best-loved Trail Guides footsteps of our ancestors who named solar heated showers and a recreational/ attractions, with fresh new twists and a it “Hoerikwaggo” - the Sea Mountain. class room dominated by a huge fireplace Table Mountain National Park’s new perspective.” Hoerikwaggo Trail Guides are set to .... so reads the commemorative plaque at – a welcome relief to cold weather hikers. The Hoerikwaggo Table Mountain Trail is a be among the best ambassadors for the People’s Trail accommodation situated The cost of the trail is R30 per person world-class hiking experience. This three- both the TMNP and Cape Town’s on the back of Table Mountain overlooking and hikers will carry their own food day, “white table cloth” trail links the rich tourism industry. These intrepid men the Woodhead Dam. and clothing. cultural diversity of the City of Cape Town and women, all recruited from Cape In line with our vision of being “a Park For booking information or to find out how to the natural wonders of Hoerikwaggo - Town’s disadvantaged communities, for All, Forever”, one of TMNP’s biggest to join one of the organisations please the sea mountain. have been trained in skills such as trail challenges is overcoming the politically e-mail: [email protected] and mountain guiding, first aid and The trail is unabashedly geared for com- Trail Guide Grabeth Nduna induced divide that exists between the with “People’s Trail” in the subject line communication skills. fort and is professionally guided, fully-ca- poorer communities of Cape Town and or call 021 701 8692 between 09h00 tered and portered and offers equipped In order to ensure that our guides their natural heritage. – 15h00, weekdays. and serviced accommodation. have the best equipment, we started looking around for sponsors and partners and formed an important partnership with the team at Hi-tec who will be donating a pair of boots and a pair of shoes to each graduate. Thanks to Hi-tec our guides will step out in style in top-quality boots.

Pat Devine of Hi-tech hands over new boots

2 A Park for All, Forever ‘n Park vir Almal, vir Altyd iPaka yoluntu lonke ngonaphakade The Park Forum Steering Committee From the Park Manager 2005 and Beyond... the Hoerikwaggo Trails, the Tokai Forest For the year ahead we are busy develop- with friends and family surrounded by Plantation harvesting programme, Safety ing a web page for the Park Forum on It has been another riveting year for the the natural beauty of the TMNP. & Security issues related to the visitor at- Park Forum Steering Committee and it’s the Park’s website, we are communicating tacks and wildfires, Dog Walking activities, Klipspringer re-introduction continued interaction with the Parks’ Management. with the Park to have a slot in their Park the new Cape Town Wild Card, Scuba with a further five breeding pairs re- We have come out of our “teething” News for the Steering Committee to re- Divers concerns with the establishment leased with GPS collars allowing the phase, triumphantly led by the previous port on it’s activity for the period and to of the TMNP Marine Protected Area, the SANParks game management study Chairperson, Mr. Theoniel Potgieter, and ensure that they spread the distribution Oudekraal land issue and the Medicinal of the reintroduction to yield fasci- are now ready to bear our teeth. Theoniel of the Park News to all the communities Plants Project near Rhodes Memorial. nating results such as their extensive has brought us through a trying time of represented in the Park Forum. Hopefully, Significant effort has been focused on mountain traverses on moonlit nights. establishing ourselves in our interaction the next phase of our interaction between transforming the image of the Park Forum The WWF-SA Table Mountain Fund is with the Park in the best interest of the the Park Management on behalf of the from one of being elitist to one of repre- supporting this programme which will Forum. Amongst other challenges faced, Forum will ensure that all the people of senting all of Cape Town’s interests. This is result in a masters’ thesis and formal the most significant has been establish- Cape Town has a say in the future of our a focus area that will be a strong driving research findings being published in ing the grounds of interaction between National Park. force for the committee in the year ahead. due course. the Steering Committee and the Park This has presented significant challenges Management representatives that were Augustine Morkel Most of all, I want to thank you, all 4,2 in our communication system with our assigned to the respective portfolios and I Chairperson million of you that have visited the stakeholders and we are confident that am happy to say that we are only one hur- TMNP Park Forum Steering Committee For SANParks, 2005 has been a TMNP throughout this year, and wish the plans we have in place for the next dle away from achieving this milestone. year of delivery on our dreams to year will be all-encompassing. However, The Park Forum Steering Committee con- you stress free relaxation from city link the Table Mountain National Significant issues covered and pending we need our stakeholders to communi- sists of 17 portfolios representative of the life while walking or swimming in the with the Park include the development of cate with us... diverse issues dealt with by TMNP. Park to the City of Cape Town by mountains and seas of Cape Town’s foot, towards our 2010 goal of National Park. being the world’s premier urban I thank too the Park Forum who national park. represent you, the users and owners Fire in the Park Fantastically we have launched the first of this public asset for which we are Cape Towns’ dry and windy summers two of the four Hoerikwaggo Hiking privileged to work as public servants, create the ideal conditions for wildfires Trails, which herald a new era in the and who advise us on how better to to occur. These fires can burn for days TMNP’s tourism business and honour manage your Park. Get in touch with and capture public attention and media the ancient tradition of walking in the the Park Forum, make it work for you headlines. In Cape Town fire season ex- wilderness of the mountains and sea. and in turn work for it by doing not just talking – and follow the footsteps tends from November to April and the Between them the People’s Trail and of the fantastic volunteers. staff at TMNP, in partnership with the the Table Mountain Trail reflect much City of Cape Town and Working on Fire of our key goals. The People’s Trail pro- I also want to thank each and every (WoF), are on constant alert to respond vides affordable access and reserves one of our staff – from the visitor to reports of fire on the peninsula. the best for the youth by extending management staff who are in field and the privilege of permitted hiking in Disa ready for what is our busiest time of Gorge to the youth climbing clubs of year, to our firefighting teams who have Cape Town, who overnight on the back already been called out extensively to table of Table Mountain in the People’s protect life and property when fires Cabin. This trail is cross subsidised by break out, to the conservation staff the Table Mountain Trail, the “white who have built the paths you walk on table cloth” luxury trail that literally and who have cleared the alien plants links the City to the Mountain by foot from infesting your Fynbos paradise, to and offers local and international tour- the marine teams who look after the ists alike the chance to discover the hidden treasures beneath the waters Fire Fighters in Action cultural treasures of the City and the - all of whom do the hidden work of During fire season the SANParks helicop- wilderness experience of the mountain the forever business of conservation ter is stationed at the Newlands Standby while following the sweet waters of the - to all of you thank you for looking Station where teams of contract firefighting Camissa river from sea to source. after the heart of the Fynbos Plant crew are also on standby. TMNP also has a Also aimed at improving affordable Kingdom World Heritage Site, the team of dedicated TMNP firefighting volun- access the new Cape Town WILD Table Mountain National Park. teers who assist us during season. Card has proven to be a resounding Woolworths marketers clean up the coast Yours in conservation, As part of our firefighting duty the TMNP success and offers people living far Over 60 staff from the Woolworths cuts and maintains a circum-peninsula fire- away from the park an affordable and Brett Myrdal Marketing Division took it upon them- break around the urban edge of the Park. practical way to spend precious time Park Manager, TMNP selves to organize a massive beach Firebreaks serve three primary functions: clean up along the Atlantic shoreline in • a means of access for personnel and Prescribed burns help us find a balance • Only light fires in designated areas such the Cape of Good Hope section of the equipment between our biodiversity conservation as TMNP Picnic sites. Fires lit in any Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). • a control line work and our duty to protect properties other area of the Park are illegal. on the urban edge by stimulating fynbos Non-organic rubbish collected ranged • a line from where a fire can be attacked • Report suspicious behaviour or fires regeneration under controlled conditions from discarded netting, tangled nylon fish- from, for example by setting a backburn. to our emergency control room and reducing the risk of runaway fires in ing line, washed up crayfish traps to an 021 957 4700. sea-borne debris is hugely challenging. The During autumn the TMNP conducts pre- the summer. assortment of plastic bottles and strap- Woolworths team has set a new standard scribed burns which are fires purposely • Fires are often ignited by children. What you can do to help us prevent fire: ping materials. in celebrating the festive season by making ignited by fire-managers under carefully Make sure your kids are well educated TMNP management commends their ef- this important contribution to the marine managed conditions. Fynbos is fire-adapt- • Don’t throw cigarette butts out the about fire and the potentially tragic forts as keeping the coastline clear of environment. ed and needs to burn from time to time. window, always use an ashtray consequences of runaway fires.

Why not gather your family, pack a picnic Silvermine Braai Site is situated just off Ou basket and head down to one of Table Kaapse Weg and is surrounded by some What to do in the Park Mountain National Park’s picnic sites? of the best fynbos the TMNP has to offer. Some of my favourites are: A universal access boardwalk surrounds this summer the reservoir offering strollers 20 minutes Oudekraal situated on the picturesque of light walking in beautiful surrounds. Atlantic seaboard on route to Hout Bay. Phone: 021 780 9002 This secluded and sunny cove offers safe bathing, beautiful scenery and braai facili- Oudekraal ties. Phone: 021 438 9555 the Cape of Good Hope and, while it is Buffels Bay in the Cape of Good not right on the beach it is but a stones Hope section of the Park. A tidal throw away from Scarborough Beach. pool and exquisite views of the bay Phone: 021 780 9204 and mountains makes this an ideal place to picnic, braai and relax If its not food you are after but adventure with your family and friends. enjoy one of TMNP’s many hikes, but in Silvermine the summer heat, mornings are best and Please note: be sure to go with friends and to wear a Baboons are dangerous Newlands Braai and Picnic area is conve- hat and use sun cream. Please also be sure and attracted by food and niently located off the M3 and the cool to take a Peter Slingsby Map (available at picnicking in the area is at shade of the pine trees makes this an ex- most major book stores) or John Yeld’s your own risk. However cellent retreat from the baking summer Mountains in the Sea – an interpretive we do have baboon sun. Phone: 021 689 4441 guide to Table Mountain, available at some monitors in the area. Perdekloof is another shady retreat under Exclusive Books,TMNP Westlake Offices Phone: 021 780 9204 the pines located on the M3 on route to or on www.kalahari.net.

A Park for All, Forever ‘n Park vir Almal, vir Altyd iPaka yoluntu lonke ngonaphakade 3 4 A Park for All, Forever ‘n Park vir Almal, vir Altyd iPaka yoluntu lonke ngonaphakade Skills Development right on target Marine Matters nance, alien clearing, infrastructure mainte- receive intensive training in business skills The TMNP Marine Team has received in- to report suspicious marine activities on nance, the provision of staff meals, stone which will assist them in establishing sound tensive training in areas such as law en- 021 786 5656. masonry, field guiding, visitor safety man- foundations to ensure the sustainability of forcement, radio usage, safety at sea, SWAT Says Paul Seiben, Area Manager: Marine: agement and coastal zone monitoring. their business. training, legislation, unarmed combat, boat- “While we feel very proud of our achieve- ing skills and fish identification. The TMNP The footpaths and overnight accommo- Through successful delivery, the TMNP ments it is a very frustrating process as the Marine Protected Area management team dation facilities for the newly launched increases the likelihood of further funds numbers of poachers out there is stagger- are currently taking part in a pilot course Hoerikwaggo Table Mountain and People’s being allocated to assist us in maintaining ing and they are growing increasingly so- in marine protected area management phisticated and cunning. We will only truly Trails bear testimony to the excellent qual- a high quality infrastructure, protecting our run in conjunction with UCT and Rhodes taste success when we are able to catch ity of work achieved by our teams. biodiversity and ensuring that disadvan- University over a period of ten months the syndicate bosses and restaurants ille- taged communities continue to benefit To date 136 kilometers of paths have and funded and initiated by Dr, Deon Nel gally purchasing marine stock.” An Expanded Public Works Programme team from employment and training in the envi- been built, while upgraded infrastruc- of WWF Marine Section. ronmental and tourism sectors. However, managing the MPA is not sim- ture includes the Overseers Cottage, the The TMNP R35 million Expanded Public Aside from time spent in training the team, ply about law enforcement and we have Works Programme (EPWP), funded by People’s Trail Cottage, Noordhoek Beach in conjunction with TMNP rangers, have a staff member dedicated to commu- the Department of Environmental Affairs Parking Area, and the Platteklip conducted many hugely successful opera- nity relations and education. Working in Wash Houses as well as a number of mi- and Tourism(DEAT), has met its target of tions both on land and at sea. conjunction with the TMNP People and nor access points. Conservation Department the TMNP is recruiting and training 420 people from Results for this year 2005 include: working closely with fishing communities However as the EPWP is only three years the six townships around the Peninsula. to further the concept of sustainable man- in duration our aim is to ensue that our • 63 arrests, The labour intensive nature of conserva- agement of resources. workers are equipped to enter the open • Various fines issued according to the tion resulted in the TMNP being the ideal market once the EPWP is complete. To Marine Living Resources Act arena for a successful marriage between date 8 individuals have achieved indepen- Interesting Fact: • Confiscated equipment: 11 vehicles, conservation and social development. dent contractor status and an additional Most poached perlemoen are cooked diving equipment and crayfish nets. and dried like biltong for export. The Unemployed people have been trained 10 are contractors in training. To further Skills development includes sand bagging, stock is rehydrated oversees via a in areas such a path building and mainte- their chances of success the contractors construction and stone masonry • Confiscation of marine stock including abalone, west coast rock lobster, chemical rehydration process. yellow tail, red roman and Hottentot.

To this end 42 Visitor Safety Officers develop this aspect of our business in If you happen to be walking on the Visitor Safety and 18 Visitor Safety Rangers now conjunction with other stakeholder beach, fishing from your favourite spot or launching your boat and you patrol the urban edge of the Park of- organisations such as tourism organisa- are approached by a Coast Care fering visitors mountain safety advice tions, local, provincial and national au- Monitor, please don’t be alarmed. thorities and law enforcement agencies. and preventing urban edge crime. In These monitors are part of a pro- addition our team enjoys the assistance Please read the tips on the enclosed gramme funded by DEAT and WWF of 60 TMNP volunteers and six patrol map to equip yourself with useful in- and run by KEAG and the TMNP, and dogs with trained handlers. formation on how to responsibly enjoy are simply patrolling the coastline Our Visitor Information Centres (VIC) our beautiful National Park and Natural collecting data. Please cooperate situated at Signal Hill and Tafelberg Road World Heritage Site. with them as the information they Confiscated poached Abalanoes will be staffed 24/7 over season while record will go a long way towards Table Mountain National Park receives ensuring that we manage the MPA in other VIC’s at Platteklip Gorge, Lion’s However these successes are tempered in excess of 4.2 million visits annually. a sustainable and effective manner. Head and Deer Park will be staffed Table Mountain National Park by a bitter pill because the loss to biodi- This, combined with the fact that it is during daylight hours. Other measures extends their appreciation to versity, especially with regards perlemoen primarily an open access Park sur- we have in place are CCTV camera’s Wanderer Wines, a private tour- stocks, is immeasurable and only 138 of Below: The TMNP/KEAG Coast Care team rounded entirely by the City of Cape funded by the City of Cape Town. ism company, that has donated 10 the approximately 600 kilograms of aba- Town, presents some unique visitor The VIC’s serve a multitude of functions pairs of binoculars to the TMNP lone seized were unshucked and management challenges. As a result not least of which is offering visitors a Visitor Safety Programme. It is reintegrated into the environment we have taken decisive steps to put “point of arrival”. The VIC staff are in encouraging that a company from by our divers. the private sector has realised in place measures that will assist us in place to greet visitors, offer informa- If poaching and contravention meeting these challenges. tion and hand out tips around mountain that it is only through practical assistance and partnerships that of marine regulations by users The two major aspects of visitor man- safety and security. Our roving patrols continue at this rate future gen- are also deployed from the VIC’s. the issue of Visitor Safety will be agement are educating people around successfully addressed. erations of South African’s will mountain safety awareness and com- TMNP has positioned our Visitor Safety only read about certain species bating the urban crime that affects the Programme as a core management www.wandererwines.co.za in books. Park from time to time. priority and will continue to grow and For this reason members of the public are encouraged

have also provided for a masters study for Four were release on Table Mountain and GPS over cellular network monitoring and research. the compliment were released onto the • More reliable and continuous data More Klipspringer for Swartkopberg History of Klipspringer in the TMNP: (all weather and night-time collection). Research and Monitoring Table Mountain 1938 was the last recorded sighting of a • SMS communications with the collars klipspringer on the Current research shows a natural growth for immediate position. in population, despite welcome preda- These dainty buck are fast becoming a symbol of the TMNP’s efforts to re- A formal paper is being prepared by the 1998: Proclamation of the Table Mountain tion of two by rooikatte in the last year. game capture unit in conjunction with store the lost natural balance of the fynbos ecosystem. Locally extinct on Table National Park. The reintroductions are monitored visu- TMNP staff and the master’s student the Mountain since the 1930’s the TMNP has reintroduced a total of 52 klipspringer ally, by line of site, radio and now by GPS July 1999: 19 Klipspringer were intro- findings of which will be shared with all to the Park since 1999. satellite collars, in the master’s research duced to the Cape of Good Hope section our stakeholders in due course. of the TMNP. programme. The most historic release was their return are more sophisticated than the current to Table Mountain in October 2004. VHF colars and will enable us to track the October 2004: The klipspringer historically The new GPS Collars: animals on a 24-hour basis. returned home to Table Mountain Then, almost exactly a year later in October • Automatically capture and record GPS this year, five additional breeding pairs were But simply reintroducing indigenous 25 animals were donated by CapeNature co-ordinates and altitude via satellites. introduced - once again with generous as- species to the Park is not enough and donated with funding for a master’s study • Automatically capture and record sistance of our partners. CapeNature do- their progress needs to be monitored. and 6 VHF tracking collars provided by the positional data 4-5 times a day for 1 year. nated the animals and assisted with their Fortunately the Table Mountain Fund is an Table Mountain Fund. • Store data on chip in unit. capture and release while the TMF spon- enthusiastic supporter of the programme October 2005: 10 Adults and 1 Lamb sored GPS tracking collars. These collars have not only funded tracking collars but donated by CapeNature. • Relay data to a remote receiver via

At home in the fynbos

A newly released collared male

A Park for All, Forever ‘n Park vir Almal, vir Altyd iPaka yoluntu lonke ngonaphakade 5 Achievements and Celebrations The end of an era Life long Service Welcome There is an old corporate saying that In this age of constant mobility many or- to the new goes “no one is irreplaceable” that while ganisations experience high staff turn over cold, in its own way is true, as each new which results in expensive retraining and a Regional Manager: loss of the “institutional” information an em- employee brings a fresh perspective to ployee accumulates. TMNP is lucky enough Western Cape. their role that will shape the way for- to have a core team of dedicated staff who ward for the next couple of years. are 100% committed to biodiversity con- However, there are those giants whose servation and the other core tasks such as contributions in their fields become leg- tourism, visitor safety and maintenance that endary. Their work lives on in the minds of go with running this urban National Park. their colleagues and they will be referred As the Park is only six years’ old many of to in reverent tones for years to come. these loyal individuals used to work for the City of Cape Town but, fortunately for the In November this year TMNP bid fare- TMNP team, elected to remain in the field well to two remarkable people - Howard of conservation when SANParks took over Langley, Regional Manager: Western Cape administration of the area. and Paul Britton: National Coordinator for Strategic Planning, SANParks - both This year alone no less than 17 people men having made profound contributions received long service awards – most to the field of conservation in general Above: Howard Langley, Brett Myrdal, notably Senior Technical Officer: Alec and the formation of the Table Mountain Gary de Kock and Paul Britton Brook. Alec has not only worked for the Right: Last night out All endings carry an element of National Park in particular. City/Park for 40 years but was born in their work and, of course, the excellent the Cape of Good Hope section and also sadness but also the promise of While the writer didn’t have the privilege sense of humour that is essential to those went to school in the area – a real south- new beginnings and it is a warm of working directly with Paul and Howard working under constant pressure. erner! Others include: welcome to Gary de Kock who I often sought their advice and plundered is the new Regional Manager: their rich memories for advice in areas as All the staff at TMNP wish Howard and Names Years Western Cape for SANParks. diverse as conservation issues and stake- Paul long and fulfilling retirements. You will holder liaison. Both shared a passion for both be sorely missed and long remem- Joseph Warnick 35 Gary began his career in conser- the environment, deep commitment to bered. We salute you. vation in 1997 as the Coordinator Petrus Bezuidenhout 25 of Economic Empowerment Andrew Soci 25 Programmes for the Table Mountain Project and, when the New additions to Hilton Blumeris 20 Park was proclaimed in 1998 he Sydney Kala 20 continued his work in the Social the TMNP Team Andries Adonis 25 Ecology Department. The Table Mountain National Park also Peter Smith 15 In 2001 he was appointed Deputy welcomes the following additions to Christopher Singo 5 Park manager under Howard the team: Langley and was responsible for Norman Hendricks 20 overseeing Park-wide opera- Lana Maart - Human Resources Daniel Engelbrecht 20 tions. Then in 2003 he became Manager; Stevenson Mkhulise - Section Park Manager of the West Coast Ranger North; Antoinette Jini - Section Melvin Carolus 30 Ranger North; Thembela Mantungwa - Stevenson Mkhulise Thembela Mantungwa Antoinette Jini National Park which position he Florentina Carolus 20 Public Relations Officer; Chantal Meyer held until he assumed his new po- ..... and of course the Hoerikwaggo Trail Guides sition in October 2005. - Admin Assistant; Beulah Charles - Ishmael Sabodien 10 Receptionist; Mathabata Majila - Section Antonio Gingqini, Donovan Lyimo, Mxolisi Magwaxaza, Zukile Matabese, Justin Buchmann 10 We look forward to working with Ranger South; Andre Adams - Senior Noluthando Mathe, Sonwabile Matyala, Lindela Mjenxane, Bongani Moni, Grabeth Melvin Baart 15 Gary in the years to come. Registry Clarke. Nduna, Lulama Mzonyane and Vuzumzi Ntintili Deon Davids 15 Freddie Witbooi 20 A Year of Recognition Says Park Manager, Brett Myrdal, “As a team we all lean on the old timers The Kudu Awards the Noordhoek/ Wetlands The Hoerikwaggo Awards Admin and Finance: Mervin January; and it is a real inspiration to know that the into the Park and the Forest Rehabilitation Andre Adams; Marieta Matthee TMNP has such dedicated staff members The SANParks Kudu Awards were ini- Programme. The Klipspringer Programme These awards are an internal celebra- that between them carry over 250 years Marine: Mpendulo Dlova; Chris Wilkinson; tiated to honour individuals who have also received and award at the Fynbos tion of local staff and aim to recognise of irreplaceable knowledge about our Park Ursula Burrows made significant contributions to con- Forum in Port Elizabeth. the hard work of those individuals and environment.” servation initiatives. The categories in- And last but certainly not least our whose often unsung and unseen efforts Hoerikwaggo Trails: Stephen Lamb clude both SANParks staffers and ex- contribute to the day to day running of Volunteer Programme was recognized by Customer Service: Beulah Charles ternal individuals and organisations. the City of Cape Town. the Park and its tourism and conserva- People and Conservation: Luyanda At the inaugural event this year TMNP’s tion functions. The receipt of these awards are a proud Lombo, Joan Daries; Christa Botha Gavin Bell, TMNP Area Manager: South, feather in our cap as it is a privilege to be While their individual talents are too many was awarded an award for facilitating the recognized by our peers and partners in to list, the following people were recog- Well done and thank you for your outstand- reintroduction of indigenous fauna to Table conservation. nised for Exemplary Performance in fields ing efforts and dedication to your work. Mountain. More recognition for the Cape as varied as cleaning duties, project man- Cluster of National Parks was reflected in Cape Times/ Caltex agement and marine patrolling. Howard Langley, our Regional Manager: Environmental Award Working for Water: Garth Mortimer; was awarded a life-time achievement Another prestigious award won by the Mathabatha Matjila; Carlo de Kock award for his contribution to conservation TMNP this year was a Cape Times/ Caltex over 37 years. TMNP Area South: Elizabeth Feta; Willie Environmental Award Commendation in Fredericks; Alex Brooks CAPE Awards the Architecture and Built Environment Category. The award was for the upgrade TMNP Area Central: Richard Ntsomboyi; Ishmael Sabodien receives his Long Service Award More accolades were awarded to the and restoration of the Upper Platteklip Norman Hendricks; Marlin Josephs TMNP team at the annual CAPE Fynbos Wash House which is now the first nights Fynmense Conference. Initiatives that were accommodation for the Hoerikwaggo TMNP Area North: Mbalenhle Mthethwa; Contact Details: recognized were the Marine Coast Care Table Mountain Trail. The architectural Michael Eli; Deon Pieterse; Daniel Monitors, the Klipspringer Reintroduction firm that worked with the TMNP team Engelbrecht Table Mountain National Park Programme, the Land Consolidation on the restoration project was Lucien Le Conservation Planning: Quintus Thom P.O. Box 37, , 7848 Working Group for the incorporation of Grange Architects. Tel:+27 21 701 8692 Fax: +27 21 701 8773 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.tmnp.co.za

Park Forum Steering Committee P.O. Box 181, 7701 Tel: 021 689 4441 [email protected] Mail and e-mails are checked weekly Above from left to right: Festive season presents for the “short” ones in our lives; Staff members Norman Hendricks, Willie Fredericks and Garth Mortimer receiving their Hoerikwaggo Awards.

6 A Park for All, Forever ‘n Park vir Almal, vir Altyd iPaka yoluntu lonke ngonaphakade