Zandvlei trust

MEEF – Muizenberg East Environmental Forum 

The launch of the Forum was on 18th July 2007 - 17h30,  at the Capricorn Business Park offices. Attended by City officials, private business, residential association representatives, and civil society organisations.

This is a working relationship with the City of Cape Town, MSP Developments, other developers, resident associations and Zandvlei Trust

Background to the Area

• Area of high conservation value

• 2 critically endangered plant species, there are a number of red data species

• This area is neighbour to the Greater Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve, Rondevlei Nature Reserve, Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve, the False Bay Ecology Park - including Strandfontein.

Layout of the Area

An aerial map showing the MEEF area.
Capricorn Business Park, on the right in the east, coastline along Baden Powell Drive to the south, Prince George Drive along the west and Capricorn Shopping Centre to the north.

Unmanaged open space can become a social liability;

• Fire risk

• Vagrants & squatters

• Dumping and litter

• Crime hotspots

• Loss of plants and animals (biodiversity)

Fire fighting Nature Conservation staff

New Possibilities & Responsibilities

• Private open space directly influences property value and standards of living.

• Correctly managed, private open space can be an asset to the community…

How?

• A Partnership

• Residential Associations working together with City of Cape Town, Nature Conservation

• Staff funded by residents, managed by Cape Town Nature Conservation’s resources and expertise would be made available

Benefits to Participating Residents

Master Plan for the Muizenberg East area - ensures a consistent, high standard of management

Dedicated security

• Swift response to emergencies (fires, animals in houses, etc.)

• Removal of vagrants

• Benefits to Participating Residents – Landscaping and contracted maintainence agreements

• Free advice and a discount from the Cape Flats Fynbos Nursery.

Endemic Cape Flats fynbos plants available.

Supervision of horticulture

Ensuring water-wise indigenous plants are used and that the area conforms to a high standard.

Homeowners guidebook and website

• Benefits to participating residents

• Environmental Education

• Holiday programs, Walk & Talks

• where residents can learn more about the area in which they live

Co–ordinated environmental education outings for adults and childrens.

Recycling initiatives

• Increased the income of the Homeowners Assossiation

• Muizenberg East Environmental Forum

• Residential Associations & Cape Town Nature Conservation

Already a Reality !

• Villa d’Algarve and MSP Developments are already contributing to the Nature Care Fund.

• The Nature Care Fund is part of the registered NPO ZEEP (Zeekoevlei Environmental Education Programme)

• A R20/month/unit levy would employ enough man-power to deliver a high standard of service. Less if the majority of residents contribute.

• A Conservation Manager has been employed

Tim Szoke - newly appointed Conservation Manager

Conclusion

• Residents are urged to support this initiative.

• Private management of the open spaces would cost far more than the proposed levy.

• Incorrect management of the area could be disastrous for the environment, property values and the well-being of residents.

Feel free to come to us to ask any questions.....

Contact;

Dalton Gibbs, City of Cape Town Nature Conservation Area Manager for the South – tel  021 706 2404.

Johan Botha, MSP Developments – tel  021 948 1892 / 3.

Tim Szoke, Manager for MEEF area – tel 021 706 2404.