The first two weeks of October have been extremely busy for the Kogelberg Branch. What has stood out in these two weeks is how blessed and fortunate we are to have the most amazing volunteers supporting the branch.
On 4 October we launched our very own “Birds of the Kogelberg” book and we had the highest turnover for a single day in the shop that day (excluding plant sales April and October 2025). Volunteers produced eats, served coffee and tea and generally provided a jovial and pleasant atmosphere for the launch.
Kleinmond Nature Conservation Society invited us to be part of their Fynbos Fees from 3 to 10 October. This meant manning a table in the Kleinmond Library from 6 -10 October. On Friday 10 October we sold 600 plus Fynbos Plants. Of course, the force behind this was Janet Nel who planned to the minutest detail all aspects of our participation in the Fees, prepared everything for us, the volunteers, and on Friday together with Galia Manicom manned the plant sales desk. Thank you, Janet, for always going the extra mile with a smile.
What has become very evident these past few months is that we need to grow closer to similar associations and groups in the Overberg: Hermanus Botanical Society, Kleinmond Nature Conservation, Betty’s Bay Conservancy, Rooi Els Conservancy etc. All have very similar goals, and we should not be working as silos in the area but co-operate more in future. This past week, being part of the Kleinmond Fynbos Fees, has been wonderful and it was really good to get to know Vic and Thea Brink, Carl Swart, Carin Malan and all the other Committee Members of Kleinmond Nature Conservation. The Kogelberg Branch will definitely be working in tandem with them on many projects in future.
A joyful Ebraime meeting Leon Kluge at the show
Galia Manicom and her garden circle and Fghting for Fynbos continue to do amazing work. She organised that, when we visited the Stanford Chelsea Flower Show, Ebraime Hull of Harold Porter National Gardens could accompany us, a wonderful gesture from Galia and her team. The show was outstanding.
The Friends of Harold Porter Gardens get stuck in on alternating Tuesday and Thursday mornings, weeding the beds and cutting back overgrown plants, gaining much satisfaction from doing so. Contact Viv von der Heyden (084 685 2641) should you wish to join them. More volunteers would be welcomed!
Because of all your support of the shop we are able to supply SANBI with much needed poles and steel rods to fix the zigzag path. This is a donation from our branch to SANBI. This donation has been a true morale booster for the staff in the gardens. Because the shop is generating reasonable profits, we are able to support SANBI in key initiatives like keeping the zigzag path in good condition. This has had a huge positive effect on the morale of the staff, and it has been a very worthwhile investment. We will continue supporting Harold Porter National Gardens with materials when needed if we can. The Hermanus Botanical Society looks after the Fernwood Gardens entirely themselves with no Government support. We have the most beautiful garden in the world and we do have some government support, but it needs our support too. I believe our partnership with the staff at the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens is on a very sound footing at present.
HAROLD PORTER BOOK AND CRAFT SHOP
It has been a very busy month for the bookshop and thanks to everyone’s efforts we are now on track to show a 50% growth year on year in the shop, which is indeed a very pleasing result.
On Saturday 4 October, we successfully launched Keith Hamilton’s beautiful book “Birds of the Kogelberg”. Keith did a great job of telling us about the journey he undertook with this book and while he will not get rich and we will not get rich from this book, we are very proud to be associated with it and proud that we could launch it as our third very own book.
On Saturday 25 October 2025, we launched Alan Lee’s book “Birds on the Brink”. We have just stocked this amazing book in the shop.
Special mention must be made of the wonderful extension that Harry von der Heyden built onto the bookshop, connecting the main shop to what was an office and now is the repository for the second-hand and children’s books. Galia is delighted to have the extra space for the many books and it is indeed a very attractive addition. Children are fascinated by the stuffed mongoose that greets them in the doorway to the book room! Many thanks for all your hard work, Harry. The new display cabinet that stands outside the main entrance to the shop was also built by Harry for the local Overberg Geoscientists Group. Dave Mourant will be filling it with fossils and rock specimens from the area, complementing the geological displays already in the Gardens.
SANBI Membership: As per our previous newsletter, we truly urge everyone to take out SANBI Loyalty Membership (Delicia Apple at the SANBI Offices can assist you with actioning your membership) and visit the Harold Porter Gardens on a regular basis. The gardens look stunning at present.
We urge you to visit the shop. We are forever stocking new stock items and Janet Nel and the volunteers look forward to welcoming you.
KOGELBERG GARDEN CIRCLE and Fighting For Fynbos do a great job of plant rescue. Convenor: Galia Manicom Cell: 082 963 3804.
HACKS: The hackers continue to do amazing work, but they just keep on going the extra mile. Cape Nature has put up fences around the Kogelberg Nature Reserve which have restricted the movement of small buck, porcupine, tortoises and other fauna. After long negotiations with Cape Nature it was agreed to remove the bottom two or three strands of the fence so that small animals can have free movement. The Hangklip Hardcore Hackers (HHH) are aprticipating in removing some of the wire strands from the recently erected fence. This is an amazing initiative. We owe a big thank you to all the hardcore hacking team for undertaking this task.
Betty’s Bay Hacks: Convenor Rob Boyd 082 567 8858 (Rob’s report appears above – Ed).
Hangklip Hardcore Hackers: Chris reported that in the month of September the HHH performed 221-man days from eight hacks (four rural verge and four project). Chris goes on to report that a new initiative of the HHH, the clearance of the old Porter Drive between the Hangklip Fontein and the old Water Reservoir, is making good progress. This is now real hardcore hacking and the main reason that it entails all types of hacking techniques. The benefit is the exposure of such beautiful fynbos, from the King Protea to the smallest petite Ericas. Progress is slow but extremely rewarding
For the month of October, Chris states that they will continue on the M-Plot and the G-Plot next to “Stroompie” in Betty’s Bay, the Turtle Creek, the hakea site and follow up on the verge of the R44 (Rooi Els to Betty’s Bay). Convenor: Chris Geldenhuys 082 900 8299
Pringle Bay Hack: Pringle Bay Hack No.215 (27 September 2025): This hack worked on the aliens in the Hangklip Valley (Rooikrans and Seedlings) and the verges of Terminal, Peak and Three-way roads, Pringle Bay. Chris continues that “it is now the time that it becomes too hot on the mountain to work effectively. From the end of October we will focus on the river surrounds and that will give us a chance again to work together as a big oiled lubricated machine. By doing this, we are not abandoning the aliens in the mountain – in the new year we will tackle them again after we have formulated our strategy and tactics. In the meantime, if you are in the mountains and you are being confronted by alien seedlings, nothing stops you getting them out of the way.” The Pringle Hacks take place on the last Saturday of each month. Convenor Chris Geldenhys
Rooi Els Hack: The Rooi Els Hack takes place on the second Saturday of each month, led by Mike Christelis.
Mike reports that the Rooi Els September hack took place on the third Saturday of the month to avoid clashing with the Rugby. As it turned out, it clashed with the Coastal Clean Up Day and the annual Rooi Els Boat Club Survey. Nevertheless, fourteen hackers arrived in the morning. The hack focused on Klein Rooi Els and the vacant plot across the road from Bella Italia. Both these areas were recently hacked – Klein Rooi Els quite extensively last year so it shows the benefit of the follow ups. It is amazing how much new growth there was, 95% of it being Rooikrans. The team also chopped down a few big trees on a residential plot. Thanks to the owner for giving access. Convenor: Mike Christelis 082 467 2795
CREW: The Kogelberg Crew Team continues to do wonderful work in searching for endangered or near endangered species, recording the numbers and locations and it all helps the conservation of the fynbos in the Kogelberg Biosphere. We salute all the outstanding work that Crew does and especially what Adele Scheepers does for Crew.
MONTHLY TALKS: The October monthly talk titled “Elegant Dragons and Dainty Damsels”, took place on Saturday 18 October 2025. Corrie du Toit presented fascinating facts about and beautiful photos of the remarkable world of Dragonflies and Damsel Flies found in South Africa.
WEATHER
I received many comments re the rainfall figures that I have published in the newsletters, and I note how many people are interested in the rainfall data. What many have been telling me is that my rainfall figures are much higher than theirs. We live close against the mountain and especially westerly and south easterly rain is greater in our area as the clouds hit the mountain.
As one can see from our table below the rainfall figures for August and September have been significantly lower than the average figures.
There is always something new in the fynbos. The Aristeas are just starting to bloom as well as the Wachendorfias.
Once again, a big, big thank you to the amazing volunteers that the Kogelberg Branch is so fortunate to have.
Peter Dall
Should you wish to join the Supporters of the Kogelberg Branch of the Botanical Society contact Peter on
082 784 4326 or email him at peter@pdconsult.co.za. Should you wish to partake in any of the many projects and activities please contact the conveners directly.