Over the dunes from the Strand Marine Protected Area, in close proximity to the Lourens River Natural Protected Area and next door to the Somerset Mall, there is a small natural oasis called Paardevlei. Historically significant for it's connection to DeBeers which constructed an explosives factory on it and commissioned the renowned South Africa architect Herbert Baker to design the buildings for the factory staff and administration. In present times this area has become an upmarket residential and business precinct. Some of the historic buildings overlook a seasonal vlei surrounded by indigenous flora and hosting a wide diversity of bird and animal species.
This vlei is what gives the area it's name... Paardevlei. It is a bird-lovers haven and much-loved escape from the increasingly urbanised rush of the Helderberg basin for local residents who go to walk, breathe the fresh air and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds nature.
Development is encroaching on this special place which is home to several endangered and threatened species.
It needs our protection.
1.
A Restoration Success Story
The area has an interesting history, tied in as it is with the activities of humans since they first settled in the Helderberg basin thousands of years ago. The site is rich with remnants of ocean-dependent hunter gatherers who left shell middens along our coastline. Back then, scientist speculate that the Paardevlei area was most likely a seasonal vlei. More recently, it's historical significance is tied to the early settlers who established the town in the late 1800's.
Over the years the vlei has been used as a fishing dam, a dynamite factory water supply, and was even drained and had a railway track run across it to facilitate the construction of the dynamite factory.
But despite all of this disruption and contamination, it is now a thriving ecosystem and beautiful natural habitat. This is a testament to Nature's resilience and will to survive, but also to the hard work, concern, skills and cooperation of individuals who have studied the area and striven to rehabilitate and restore it to the natural seasonal vlei experts presume it once was before human intervention. Undoing the years of damage that was done back when humans considered wetland ecosystems a waste of space or worse and draining them in favour of development was common practice.... we know better now... or do we?
A resident pair of blue crane and their two chicks photographed by the local bird club Riel Tredoux in Oct 2023
A resident pair of blue crane and their two chicks photographed by the local bird club Riel Tredoux in Oct 2023
Maccoa Duck
Maccoa Duck
Today, wetlands are recognised globally as a highly valuable ecosystems that contribute to human thriving by purifying water, enhancing biodiversity, preventing damage from flooding, providing recreation and opportunities for connection with nature. South Africa has it's own, lauded, wetland restoration project 'Working for Wetlands' which holds that even degraded wetlands should not be disregarded, but should be seen as restoration opportunities.
Paardevlei is a model example of one of these, the vlei is now a birding hotspot in the area and home to wildlife including Marsh Terrapins, Caracal and the Cape Dwarf Chameleon. The Southern African Bird Atlas Project has a tally of 218 bird species recorded at the vlei over the past 13 years. Included in these are the endangered Maccoa Duck, Blue Crane, Greater and Lesser Flamingo and Greater Painted Snipe. (https://sabap2.birdmap.africa/coverage/pentad/3405_1845)
Please view our INaturalist project stats here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/friends-of-paardevlei-wetland
INaturalist Citizen Science Observations
2.
Threats to the Wetland
The property, once privately owned, was recently purchased for development by the City of Cape Town, Human Settlements and subdivided. Now, the future of the vlei is uncertain. Who will manage it? Will it be protected? We know development is planned for the areas around the vlei. This development will inevitably impact on the ecosystem in a very detrimental way. Was there transparency in the process of approval? Why were local organizations not given an opportunity to comment? Where are the detailed proposals and Stormwater and Environmental Management Plans for these developments?
Approved Development site plan for Paardevlei Precinct 2.
3.
A Call for Conservation Status
"When preserved and sustainably used, urban wetlands can provide cities with multiple economic, social and cultural benefits...Urban wetlands are prize land not wasteland and therefore should be integrated into the development and management plans of cities." - RAMSAR City Wetland Accreditation
The City of Cape Town has recently been awarded RAMSAR Wetland City Accreditation in recognition of it's commitment to wetland conservation. We call on the Mayor to live up to this responsibility and to protect Paardevlei as an example of the City's dedication to urban wetland rehabilitation and preservation. The City of Cape Town is currently in discussions to decide the fate of the main vlei area (green central area on the map above). It's status and which department will be responsible for it's management will be decided by a few people behind closed doors. The Friends of Paardevlei feel that the local community should have a say in this important decision.
In order to ensure that the vlei and surrounding mosaic wetlands and indigenous vegetation are protected, we need to make our voices heard. As those who benefit from and enjoy its thriving ecosystem, we deserve to have a say in it's future. We all have a right to clean water, a protected natural environment and green spaces in which to exercise and de-stress. This vlei is an important piece of natural and historical heritage and means a great deal to the people of the Helderberg. Let us protect it!
Stand with us in calling for the Paardevlei wetland to be declared a conservation area or urban nature reserve!
Cape Dwarf Chameleon
Cape Dwarf Chameleon
"Most of the wetlands and rivers between Somerset West and Cape have been lost to birds because of housing developments or farming or pollution. Paardevlei is the last sanctuary where close to 200 species of wildlife can survive in a natural habitat that should be retained as such at all costs."
- Willene van Der Merwe, Chairperson: Somerset West Bird Club
"Paardevlei dam is a very important vlei which hosts a huge variety of natural life. Wetlands are essential as they prevent flooding and are a breeding ground for many animals. You should also be aware of the flooding at The Sanctuary, this proves that buildings and wetlands don't mix. We need to protect and keep Green Spaces in our communities not throw concrete down. We are in full support of Friends of Paardevlei dam and will stand firm to protect this space."
- Lisa Starr, Founder of the Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement and Director of Environmental Affairs for The People of South Africa.
"I believe this is a “green lung” in the greater Somerset West area. The area is under tremendous pressure with development and we need to maintain somewhere where the various flora and fauna can survive and thrive. This will benefit the whole area."
- Stefan Segal, Milnerton, South Africa
"This is a very sensitive ecosystem and home to numerous endangered species. Any form of development will have a huge negative impact on all animals who use this system as their home."
- Donnavin Wright, Cape Town, South Africa
"I have already been involved in dealing with the negative impact to the amphibian and bird life in this area and to create further disruption is unacceptable. Not to mention the negative impact on services caused by this development."
- Jenny Dugmore, Somerset west, South Africa
"We love Paardevlei just as it is. Flamingos fly in and spend time there on their migration and it’s a beautiful sight. There are many other birds as well / any further construction could endanger this perfect environment that nature enjoys."
- Nan Jackson, Cape Town, South Africa
"We love walking around the Vlei & take our overseas visitors there ...which so impresses them to have this on our doorstep."
Sue Donally, Cape Town, South Africa
"It is a diverse, important conservation asset for our area, for water management and wildlife. Further development would lead to gradual deterioration of this crucial environment."
- Stephen Jackson, Cape Town, South Africa
"I walk this area weekly for bird watching. It is a unique landscape with diverse wildlife."
- Leigh-Ann Ogilvie, Cape Town, South Africa
"There is over development in the area and no infrastructure to support it. Humans need conservation areas for mental well being. Migratory birds need their areas."
- Margi Moore, Somerset West, South Africa
"We are against loss of natural environmental land. We are already facing infrastructure collapse due to over develpoment. It is not viable in the long-term. We desperately need large green areas."
- Dorothea Bassil, strand, South Africa
"Conserving and protecting natural areas are critical in maintaining the biodiversity in our region."
- Karin van Rensburg, Somerset West, South Africa
"Cape down development is unprecedented, and while the cities overreach can be tolerated, they have no right to destroy environmental impact areas, where wildlife can be affected."
- Natalie Hirschman, Cape Town, South Africa
"Every time you blink, there is a new building being built here. Everywhere you look is just concrete and it's horrible. At least leave this little bit of nature alone as it is home to many different species."
- Jo-Anne Massey, South Africa
To join the Friends of Paardevlei community group, please find us at the link below on Facebook, Instagram, and drop us a message to join the Whatsapp Group.
Words, Photos and Design: Tiffany Schultz
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