A new Task Team called BOSSIES

(Extract article from the volume 2007/1 Newsletter)

photographs Bowen Boshier

Examples of endemic indigenous pavement corridors linking the Zandvlei and nearby conserved areas.

The background to this project is that a team of around ten people from the Ward 64 area are trained by a mentor (Working for Wetlands trained hopefully) in the art of fynbos rehabilitation and propagation. This team is to receive a fair salary on hopefully a permanent basis. They are to ‘green’ the pavements and areas that are viable (not used directly for walking/recreation) in suburbs like Coniston Park, Lavender Hill, Vrygrond and Hillview, also the areas around Muizenberg. In so doing they, will create biodiversity corridors from and between the local Nature Reserve areas. In turn, hopefully, raise appreciation for fynbos and foster/support for stewardship programs amongst the various communities.
The project was recognised and awarded R58,510.00 of the Ward 64 Councillors 2006/2007annual budget. In December 2006 a M.O.U (memo of understanding) was signed by Zandvlei Trust and the Sub Council Manager for the South. RK10 will soon become available to start the project. The balance is for capital expenditure, in nature and will be overseen by the GZENR Manager from the City.

Una Hartley and some of her team, maintaining the Main Road, Lakeside garden

The following needs to be done:

1. Additional funding needs to be sourced and raised for wages, stock purchases, promoting and running the programme (around RK300 per annum).

2. Select areas to be greened by the team.

3. 'Search and Rescue' of fynbos at our ‘wave of developments' in Muizenberg East.

4. Promotion and why Fynbos?
Fynbos, a diverse and unique kingdom, contains the Cape Flats Dune Thicket. This, diverse floral zone, has medicinal potential and is also endangered and is fast becoming a distant dream on the Cape Flats, especially amongst the dense urban sprawl and the public open spaces. Natural green areas are important for our mental health, and contribute to a sense of pride and contentment in communities. They also enhance the value of developments. Utilising soft areas throughout housing and business developments can enhance species diversity and viability. At the moment, fynbos rehabilitation and maintenance is largely dependent on experts, there is a need to expand the skills base and those involved into promoting and maintaining indigenous flora, in the residencial communities.

Benefits to the community

• Training, part time and permanent employment for a group of local people.
• Develop a range of skills.
• Upgrade the natural beauty of the area by colouring verges, walks etc.
• Further education towards appreciation of ecology, biodiversity and natural systems.
• Develop pride in the area, sense of identity, and sense of place.
• Fostering a water wise, natural environmentally friendly, low maintenance greening of the surrounding suburbs.

5. Selection / development of equipment store and plant propergation / holding area.

6. Formation of volunteer/advice group.

7. Administration systems need to be developed to monitor the project.

photographs by Vicky Wilmans

Before and after photos showing the growth of indigenous plants along the reshaped banks of Zandvlei.

As for the name of the project - I am open for comments – hopefully members of the ZVT will help with the project on a voluntary basis, over its life span (many years), in other words, it is to be our project in that it makes the Greter Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve and other nearby Reserves more viable by expanding the biome and raising interest in the conservation and fostering interest in our corner of the world.
So – the idea for the name of project? It should inspire…and the suggestion is - BOSSIES (Biodiversity On Suburban Sidewalks [for] Indigenous Ecosystem Sanctuaries)

Bowen Boshier

Contact him if you If you are interested; 

021 788 6851 or Bowen Boshier