Good news for nature lovers in the Helderberg! Frog lovers are ready to hop to the next level after the rescue attempt at Paardevlei during March this year. During our first rains a large colony of platanna froglets hatched at the Paardevlei area near the Somerset Mall and decided to brave the busy R44 to reach the nearest water body at the Sanctuary dam during a mass … [Read more...]
Massive frog massacre averted thanks to eco saviours
One Sunday morning earlier this month, Bolander received an urgent call from Somerset West resident Elma Pollard (previous environmental correspondent for Bolander, and editor of the Green Times), saying that there was a massive frog migration underway from Paardevlei dam, over the R44 to the Sanctuary dam. "The cars are driving over the frogs, it’s a massive slaughter, and … [Read more...]
The search for SA’s most sustainable restaurant is now on
Entries are now open for the country’s most prestigious accolade for sustainable restaurants. Launched in 2016 as a first for South Africa, the Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award acknowledges a restaurant that brings its customers seasonal, local and responsibly produced food. “We launched the award to acknowledge the one restaurant leading the pack in South Africa,” … [Read more...]
Lack of invasive plant management compounds Somerset West fires
“Landowners who have not managed invasive alien plants on their properties must be held accountable for that impact on the fires that have ravaged areas around Somerset West.” That is the view of Dr Guy Preston, Deputy Director-General in the Department of Environmental Affairs, responsible for the Working on Fire and Working for Water programmes. “We know that invasive … [Read more...]
Like, share and win – competition to help tortoise get perspective
You know the story of tortoise who rested at the dam when eagle landed next to him? “Look at these magnificent reeds and all this water,” he said. “This is all there is.” Eagle ascended into the heavens bearing tortoise in his claws. Tortoise saw the whole dam, he saw the animals running across the plains, then he saw the curve of the earth. Eagle put tortoise down in the … [Read more...]
Vergelegen shares seeds from ancient yellowwood tree
South Africa celebrated Arbor Week during the first week of September, and Vergelegen Estate in Somerset West continued its tradition of offering visitors free seeds from its ancient Outeniqua Yellowwood. Vergelegen’s arboreal specimen of Podocarpaceae, the country’s national tree, is estimated to be 150-400 years old. Some 500 packets of seeds are sourced from it every … [Read more...]
Join the Earth Imagineers and reclaim your future
The Earth Imagineers Tour covers the birth of a radical new consciousness and explores how the human body is the most potent tool to change the world. It covers new understandings of what the sun is, how the human heart is a frequency generator that can affect all life and how we interact with light to be this change. Dan Schrieber of Starseed Gardens Austrailia, acclaimed … [Read more...]
Rock Star Party to raise funds for little cancer fighters
Inspired by Somerset baby Reece’s battle with cancer, the Somerset 1 dynamic Facebook group is dedicating their first birthday party, the Rock Star Party, to raise funds for the Little Fighters Cancer Trust (LFCT) on Saturday, 13 December at the Nameless Pub. The group, started by Stephen Leppan, prides itself on the spectacular events it holds to raise funds for charity. … [Read more...]
Lourens River to receive emergency repairs after severe flooding
As part of the City of Cape Town’s commitment to building a safe city, emergency repairs and the replacement of damaged infrastructure will start soon at Lourens River, following the severe flooding in Somerset West on 15 and 16 November last year. The City had requested financial assistance to deal with the required emergency work after the area was declared a provincial … [Read more...]
Learn how to grow your own food
Growing your own vegetables is a wonderful green passion that is spreading like wildfire across our country. We are all concerned about food security in the light of climate changes and threats to our water and soil resources. Knowing how to turn a little patch of soil into a nutritious meal is a life skill, which we and our children simply need to acquire for a healthy … [Read more...]
Back to basics with slow wines
What attracted me to Waterkloof wines, as a horse lover, was that they use horses in their vineyards. I reckoned it was to lower their carbon footprint, but Christiaan Loots, the farm manager, assured me that it was economically motivated. Waterkloof is situated just outside Somerset West on the old Sir Lowry’s Pass road, about halfway to the village. 32 of the 53 hectares … [Read more...]
When controlled fires get out of control
The recent fire in the Somerset West area that destroyed ten homes and parts of the Helderberg Nature Reserve has put the spotlight on controlled fires once again. The fire broke out at about 08:00 on Saturday 16 April 2011. It was first believed that the fire started in the Helderberg Nature Reserve, but the City of Cape Town's fire department confirmed that a controlled … [Read more...]
Organic farm puts healthy food on the table
I first heard about Vredenhof from someone who'd had a heart attack and who was nourished back to health on their vegetables. His story inspired me to go and visit. Vredenhof Organic Estate is a 27 hectare fruit and vegetable farm situated between Somerset West and Stellenbosch. It is a world in itself once you've passed through the gates. The owners, Trevor Blench and his … [Read more...]
