Eighteen volunteers braved the elements on a chilly morning following a week of soaking winter rain. This was a continuation of the Hangklip Hardcore Hackers (HHH) hack of 11 June 2025 to remove tens of thousands of knee-high rooikranz seedlings which have taken root since the fire in January 2024 which destroyed this rooikranz forest. Vehicle access into Brodie Link Nature Reserve was arranged with Brenton Matinka, the Cape Nature Field Ranger who lives on the property.
A warm welcome was extended to Magda and Tommy Mills on their first Betty’s Bay hack. They needed no introduction to hacking as they volunteer with both the HHH and Pringle Bay hacking groups. I hope this is their first of many.
Armed with poppers of all sizes the group took a short walk to the hacking site across a stream and began working their way westward up the slope in the direction of Hangklip. The mid-morning break was taken back at the parked vehicles. Thank you to Dave for providing all that was needed for a good cup of tea or coffee and to Mary Whitelaw & Lee Boyd for making the very welcome sandwiches.
The weather which had been threatening all morning eventually stopped the hack a half hour early at 11am, when it was decided to rather head back to the warmth of our homes.
A very big thank you to all for making the effort to come. It would have been frustrating to miss a second Betty’s Bay hack in a row due to bad weather. Despite the shortened hack, a conservative estimate of 10 000 – 20 000 seedlings were pulled out and heaped. A special word of thanks to those from the neighbouring villages of Pringle Bay, Rooi Els and Kleinmond for their ongoing support. It is greatly appreciated and never taken for granted.
As ever, on behalf of the Betty’s Bay Fynbos, thank you all for your efforts.
Rob Boyd
Convener Betty’s Bay Hack Group