On 7 November, Peter and Paddy Dall hosted a function to thank the volunteers who work in the bookshop and in the gardens for their efforts this past year. It was a great function. Once again, I am reminded how blessed we are to have such wonderful volunteers.
HACKS
The hackers continue to do incredible work removing aliens from our surrounds and convening additional ad
hoc hacks to help remove the three strands of the fence put up by Cape Nature on the border of the Kogelberg Reserve. Chris ( Geldenhuys), Rob (Boyd) and Mike (Christelis), our grateful thanks for all the wonderful work that you and your teams of hackers do.
The Betty’s Bay Hack takes place on the first Saturday of each month. Rob’s report is presented above. Hack No 741 is scheduled for Saturday 6 December. Convenor: Rob 082 567 8858.
Hangklip Hardcore Hackers (HHH) hack every Wednesday morning and most Monday mornings. Chris Geldenhuys reported that in the month of October the hardcore hackers were able to carry out seven hacks i.e.198-man days. The new initiative of the HHH, the clearance of the old Porter Drive between the Hangklipfontein and the old water reservoir, is making good progress. Plot 995/157 is a long narrow property that is a short hop into the core of the Biosphere, and it is bearing such positive results with the removal of the aliens, exposing extremely beautiful sources of Mimetes Cucullatus and Leucospermum.
Chris adds: “We started with the cleanup hack of the R44 between Rooiels and Pringle and then encountered the ever-present Bottlebrush in the valley. This is a serious threat for which we are seeking a viable solution. Secondly, we got stuck into the forest of Acacia Longifolio in the river just to the outside of Weavers Nest in the same valley. We have already done two hacks there and it is still not cleared. Hopefully we will get it cleared up before the new year.” (These areas were not the only areas worked in, but the only ones specifically mentioned in this report. Ed.) Convenor: Chris 082 900 8299
Pringle Bay Hack No.216 (25 October 2025): Chris reported that this hack concentrated on the aliens along the banks of the Buffels River. The western bank of the Buffels River was 70% covered by Spider Gum, 15% by Black Wattle, 10% by Myrtle, 3% by Stink Bean and 2% by Pine. Good progress had been made with the removal of the aliens. He adds, “It is unbelievable to see the extent that the aliens have multiplied and expanded along the Buffels River since the previous hack in January 2025. It is more of a challenge to work on the riverbanks mainly due to the dense undergrowth. Unfortunately, it is what we have to do to address the alien explosion in this area. I undertake in the future to find a simpler way of getting closer to the spots where the aliens are growing.”
The Rooiels Hack takes place on the second Saturday of every month, led by Mike Christelis. Mike reports as follows from the October hack: “The task of the day was to clear the road verge starting from the turnoff to the dam and working back towards Rooi Els. This was a continuation of the work being done by the Hangklip Hardcore Hackers. The focus of the hack was clearing mainly the larger Rooikrans trees as well as Pines, Myrtle, Hakea and Spider Gum. Towards the end of the hack a lot of attention was paid to the Bottlebrush infestation, a challenging task as some of it is in the wetlands and not easy to access. It is a massive challenge to clear this area of Bottlebrush. The growth over the years has been exponential and the Bottlebrush is taking over areas of previously pristine fynbos.” The next Rooiels hack will be held on Saturday 13 December 2025. Convenor: Mike 082 467 2795.
KOGELBERG GARDEN CIRCLE
Apart from enjoying monthly visits to gardens in the Kogelberg area, Galia Manicom and her Garden Circle and the Fighting for Fynbos team continue to do amazing work fervently rescuing plants before they are mowed down by the bulldozers clearing plots before building work commences. Convenor: Galia 082 963 3804.
CREW
The Kogelberg Crew Team is helping to conserve the fynbos in the Kogelberg Biosphere for future generations by searching for endangered or near endangered species and recording their numbers and locations. Crew volunteers are also still assisting with providing the “ Bokkies” in the Kogelberg Wildlife Rescue Centre with food from the veld. To Adele Scheepers and the other Crew members, our heartfelt thanks for the most valuable work that you do.
THE FRIENDS OF HAROLD PORTER GARDENS
The Friends of Harold Porter Gardens, under the leadership of Jenny Pattinson and Viv von der Heyden, are helping the staff keep the beds of the Gardens weed-free and visually attractive. We urge our members to join Viv and Jenny from 8.30 – 11am on either a Tuesday or a Thursday, alternating weekly. Jenny (Tuesday team) 072 301 0357. Viv (Thursday team) 084 685 2641.
The Kogelberg Branch continues to support the staff in the Harold Porter Gardens and this month we have paid for the repairs to the main irrigation pump (+/- R20 000) and repairs to the ride-on mower (+/- R70 000).
The Gardens are exceptionally dry at present, and the pump has been out of action for more than three months. Hopefully the service provider appointed by the branch will have the pump up and running by Monday 17 November so that the staff can then fully irrigate the beds, especially those recently planted.
It came to our attention that the ride-on mower was not in working condition and that the Gardens were borrowing a ride-on mower from Kirstenbosch, but this was very much on an ad hoc basis and not likely to be available during the summer. In negotiation with management of the Harold Porter Gardens it was agreed to get Turfmaster to fully service the ride-on mower, replace bearings, put in new blades and give the ride-on mower a really good service. Estimated cost of this work is R70 000. Hopefully the mower will also be back in operation by 17 November 2025.
All of the above is made possible because of what the volunteers and Janet Nel achieve in our Craft and Book Shop and the support it receives from our community and visitors to the Gardens.
We know that this help (repairs to the pump and the ride-on mower) boosts the morale of the staff greatly.
See below the photos of the work being undertaken on the Zig Zag Path, using the poles and rods that we have donated to the gardens.
HAROLD PORTER BOOK AND CRAFT SHOP
The shop continues to perform well. We celebrated our fourth birthday at the beginning of November 2025. We started trading on 1 November 2021 and the following make interesting figures:
- 2022/23 Financial Year we increased turnover by 55%.
- 2023/24 Financial Year we increased turnover by 34%
- 2024/25 Financial Year we increased turnover by 22%
- 2025/26 Financial Year – the first seven months compared to the first seven months of the previous year; the turnover is 31% up.
It is more difficult to get double-digit increases as the annual turnover increases so the 31% increase in turnover to date is pleasing and we are hoping that we can keep this up. Plant sales now are giving us a huge boost.
We are busy stocking the shop with many interesting items especially geared to the Christmas market. Come and have a look at what is new in stock!
MONTHLY TALKS
The monthly talk took place on Saturday 15 November. We were honoured to welcome Jeannie Hayward of the Cape Leopard Trust who shared the story of leopards in the Cape, gave an overview of how these elusive creatures are studied, what is known about their ecology and behaviour and what is threatening their survival. The talk showcased several of the Cape Leopard Trust’s projects and highlighted the three-pillar approach of research, conservation and education. The large and enthusiastic audience was riveted.
LAUNCH OF THE BETTY’S BAY BOOK – BETWEEN MOUNTAIN AND SEA
On Saturday 20 December 2025, Skip Krige (main author and editor) will launch the Betty’s Bay book at 16h00 at the Nivenia Hall, Harold Porter National Gardens. This has been a truly huge undertaking.
Below is a copy of the index of the book.
Pre order your copy of the book (Cost R500.00) from:
Skip Krige at Email: skipkrig@mweb.co.za.
NATIONAL BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA NATIONAL COUNCIL
We had a very constructive and informative meeting with the Financial Manager of National Botanical Society, Nazeer Rawoot. I was able to explain to him the workings of the Kogelberg Branch, all that we do and how wonderful the volunteers are that support the branch.
It was interesting to note that our bookshop’s turnover is very close to the same amount per annum as the Kirstenbosch Bookshop (and their customers do not have to pay an entrance fee to shop!).
He also assured us that our branch was in a much stronger and much healthier financial situation than any of the other branches within the National Botanical Society.
WEATHER
It continues to be very dry with only 28mm of rain recorded in October an only 3mm recorded in the first ten days of November.
Betty’s Bay Rainfall 2015 to 2025 Harold Porter National Garden
As I look out of my office window at the mountain next to Harold Porter, I remind myself how fortunate we are to live in or to be able to visit this incredible floral kingdom that we have in the Kogelberg Biosphere. It is extremely dry at present. Please take extra precautions when it comes to open braai fires. The last thing that we need now is having another devastating wildfire.
Peter Dall
082 784 4326
Email: peter@pdconsult.co.za
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.