Zandvlei Trust

Zandvlei Inventory and Monitoring Programme   (ZIMP)

Below is the content of a letter addressed to Mr Johan Heroldt of the City's Parks Dept, South from the Zandvlei Trust Chairman.

Mowing of the grass verges in Lakeside, Zandvlei in Sept 2005

Members of the Zandvlei Trust and the Botany Group of ZIMP (Zandvlei Inventory and Monitoring Programme) have identified an area marked on the sketch, below, where the following indigenous plants try to grow. The list identified is;
Senecio littoreus, Psoralea glaucina, Monopsis lutea, Thesium frisea, Salvia aurea, Passerina vulgaris, Juncus dregeanus, Triglochin bulbosum, Polypogon monspeliensis and Romulea tabularis.

The request is that this area, not be mowed until mid November, so that the seed stock may have an opportunity to set itself for the next season, for future generations to appreciate in the flowers in Spring and early Summer.

The plants grow with the prevailing seasonal conditions and this time period is a guideline only, for planning the mowing operation. It also requires site inspection to correctly identify the correct conditions for mowing so as not to destroy the seed stock at the wrong time.

We will undertake to inform the local residents of the area and of this request to you and your department workers/contractors.

The contact persons are Mr Robin and Mrs Pat Burnett at 021 788 5914, they are nearby residents, members of the Botany Group and are available to show the tractor drivers the area concerned, before mowing commences. If you have any queries or require more information please contact Mr or Mrs Burnett.

photograph by Robin Burnett

An area at the entrance to the Imperial Yacht and Canoe Club off Promenarde Road, Lakeside. 

photograph by Robin Burnett

This is where it has been requested not to mow the grass verges until November. This will allow the seed stock to form and disperse for the following year. The time frame is a guideline only as the seasonal rains and prevailing weather conditions vary considerably from year to year and influence when the plants grow and set their seed. It requires an onsite inspection and a trained eye to establish what is growing.
This is where local residents knowledgable and willing to help can assist.

photograph by Robin Burnett

These flowers were flowering in the designated area in August 2005.

photograph by Robin Burnett

Sparaxius grandiflora flowering in August 2005.

photograph by Geoff Bailey

This same area mowed in 1997. The mound in the foreground has arum lilies and other indigenous plants flowering that could not be "attacked" by the mowers.
The same story goes around and comes around, it is amazing. In the past Zandvlei Trust has advised the Parks authorities not to mow before the seed stock has set for the next year. There is no continuity in the execution of its management policy.