Twenty-seven volunteers met on a drizzly and windy day at the parking area on the western side of Malkopvlei (Bass Lake) to continue with the removal of the Waterbessie trees which have invaded the wetland on its northern side.
This was the third hack here this year. On 3 January 2026 the Betty’s Bay hackers targeted the NZ Xmas trees and on 1 April 2026, the Hangklip Hardcore Hackers (HHH) started with the Waterbessie removal. We had another excellent turnout for this May hack, considering that it was a long weekend and the weather better suited for staying indoors.
Jonathan Jones was welcomed to his first hack. It was encouraging to have some young blood join us! I hope he thoroughly enjoyed his morning and will be back for more. It was wonderful to see Mary Bateman and Graham Clark back at the hack.
The hackers walked 500m down Bass Road to continue where the HH hackers had left off. Despite the dense, wet fynbos and muddy conditions the undeterred group chainsawed, dragged branches over long distances and stacked the waterbessies, Australian myrtle and tea bushes neatly along the verge.
The break was taken at 10am back at the parking area. A big thank you to Dave Mourant for always bringing the tables, boiling water, cups, teaspoons, tea, coffee, milk and sugar for the muddied hackers and to Mary Whitelaw and Lee Boyd for funding and making the egg mayo and cucumber & cheese sarmies to feed the hungry.
After the break, all the hackers concentrated on a Waterbessie forest furthest in towards the lake from Bass Road. Apart from the four chainsaw operators and the stackers on the road verge, all the other hackers formed a chain gang, passing branches from person to person through the shoulder high fynbos. So determined where they to eradicate the forest that the 11.30am finish time was ignored until the job was done.
The aftermath was enjoyed by the happy hackers after a long slog back to the parking area, following an amazing morning’s work despite the unfavourable weather.
Thanks to our hacking neighbours, Christine Coupar (KM), Megs Tweedie, Mike Christelis (RE), Chris Geldenhuys, Chris Cadman and Brian McMillan (PB), for your ongoing support and for negotiating the partial road closure for the 50km road race between Kleinmond and Gordon’s Bay.
As ever, on behalf of the Betty’s Bay Fynbos, thank you all for your efforts.
Rob Boyd
Convener Betty’s Bay Hack Group