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www.thevillagenews.co.za
4 December 2019
Renosterveld campaign needs your support T
he Hermanus district is known for its pristine Fynbos landscapes. But did you know that the largest connected stretch of Renosterveld left on the planet, is found in the Overberg. Renosterveld is a Critically Endangered habitat – and because of habitat transformation and agricultural practices, today only 5% remains. It’s part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, although it’s not as well known.
12 beds for visiting scholars. According to the ORCT’s Director, Dr Odette Curtis-Scott, it’s vital to encourage children to connect with nature. “We need to start reaching out to children in this landscape, and beyond it, to create awareness about threatened ecosystems across the globe. And this is an example of such an ecosystem – which despite its severe fragmentation still holds immense diversity.”
Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve is a 500-hectare reserve in the Overberg that is owned by the WWF South Africa, and is managed by the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust (ORCT). Aside from being part of the most contiguous stretch of Renosterveld globally, with many rare and endemic species, this reserve is also a place of learning for students.
Already schools in the Overberg have shown great interest in supporting this endeavour, encouraging their children to learn about Renosterveld.
The ORCT is now running a fundraising campaign on BackABuddy to support this. Odette says, “It’s been a dream of the Trust to instil environmental awareness among the youth. We know this is the only way to ensure Renosterveld and the rest of our threatened natural world can be protected by – and for – future generations.” The deadline for the BackABuddy crowdfunding campaign is 24 December 2019. To get involved, please visit: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/ renosterveld
It is home to the only Renosterveld Research Centre in the world, which has already provided research opportunities to 12 post-graduate students. The centre is an old, derelict farmhouse that was converted following a successful crowdfunding campaign. Now the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust is extending this learning space – to also reach school children. The plan? To convert an old shed on Haarwegskloof into a learning hub for school groups and other visitors. It will be a place to learn and teach – with a common room for scholars, and a kitchen area to cater for these groups. It will also include
The Hermanus Pro-Musica Choir recently held a charity concert at Onrus Manor in aid of Overberg Wildfire Volunteers (OWV). Here Marina de Beer (centre) of Onrus Manor, who also sings in the choir, and fundraiser Elize Snyman (right) hand over the proceeds of the concert to Bernardus Groenewald, the founder of OWV. A total of R2 700 was raised, which will come in handy for this non-profit organisation which was founded in order to assist our local fire and rescue responders. “We saw that the resources of the Overberg District Municipality and Overstrand Municipality were stretched to maximum capacity due to the ongoing wildfires that devastate the region far and wide,” says Bernardus. Anyone can apply to become a member of OWV. No former training or experience is required (although it would be a bonus) as all training is provided in-house, ensuring that their members have the necessary skills and knowledge to be ready when called to action. Visit them on Facebook or overbergwildfirevolunteers.co.za or contact 064 987 4986.
Renosterveld is a Critically Endangered habitat that forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Only 5% remains today. BOTTOM LEFT: The farm shed that the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust wants to convert into a learning hub for visitors.
CEM Youth held their first gathering recently, during which around 100 teenagers from different local churches took part in a volleyball tournament at Grotto Beach. The competition was a lot of fun, with the group of grade 11s (above) winning the tournament by a narrow margin. After all the action, the group went to Shofar for boerewors rolls and worship. The next CEM Youth get-together will be held in February. Any teenager is welcome to join via their church or as individuals. Contact the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrus (Anton – 072 477 3185), Shofar Hermanus (Hendrik & Tabita – 082 386 6045), AGS Sandbaai (Dennis – 063 124 2870), Christ Church (Tom – 079 607 7797) or Every Nation (Jonathan – 060 618 6577). PHOTO: Roeleen Wessels
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