Participating in Biodiversity Conservation: Planting Indigenous Plants at Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve on Mandela Day

The City of Cape Town’s Biodiversity Management Department invites residents to participate in a collaborative effort for biodiversity conservation on Mandela Day, 18 July 2023. Volunteers will plant 1,900 indigenous plants at the Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve.

Celebrating Mandela Day Through Positive Change

As a tribute to Madiba, volunteers from different backgrounds will come together to create positive change. Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, emphasizes the significance of this event by encouraging more participation. The collaborative efforts of volunteers are a perfect way to honor Madiba’s spirit of unity.

Joining the Planting Initiative

Residents interested in joining the restoration efforts at the Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve can participate in the planting initiative by contacting Abraham Saaiman via email or phone. The event will start at 09:00 on 18 July 2023 at the entrance to the reserve on Vissershof Road in Bothasig. Volunteers are advised to wear appropriate outdoor gear, hats, garden gloves, and outdoor shoes. They should also bring snacks or lunch, drinking water, and a garden spade.

Planting Critically Endangered and Near-Threatened Species

The planting initiative will include several critically endangered species such as Serruria aemula and Serruria trilopha, as well as near-threatened varieties like Serruria fasciflora and Lampranthus reptans. The plants to be planted have been sourced from the Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve, the N1/N7 interchange, and Fort Ikapa, ensuring the genetic integrity of the local plant populations at the reserve.

Contributing to Biodiversity Conservation

The restoration activities at the Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve include sowing indigenous vegetation seeds and planting various locally indigenous plant species grown from seed or cuttings at the restoration facility at Westlake. These efforts contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the critically endangered Cape Flats Sand Fynbos vegetation found at the reserve.

Discovering the Beauty of Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve

The Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve, a 10-hectare gem, is located within the corners of Bosmansdam Road and Potsdam Road in Bothasig. It is managed by the City’s Biodiversity Management Branch and is proclaimed as a Nature Reserve under the National Protected Areas Act. The conservation team will guide volunteers during the planting process, engaging and educating them about local plants and other biodiversity at this exceptional site. Guided walks will also be available, offering a unique, immersive experience for all involved.

Preserving Natural Heritage for Future Generations

This Mandela Day, residents of Cape Town have the opportunity to demonstrate their love and care for the natural environment by participating in the planting initiative at Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve. By restoring the native flora of the reserve, volunteers contribute to a more livable city while preserving its natural heritage for future generations.