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Jan 24, 2019, 7:37 PM (12 hours ago)
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Melville
Koppies Newsletter
February
2019
www.facebook.com/
Dear
Friends of Melville Koppies
1.
News
2.
Scheduled
group tours and hikes
3.
FOMK membership
4.
Supporting Melville Koppies
1. News
Melville Koppies 60th
anniversary (1959–2019) –– the volunteer
component
Sixty years in the
geological time scale isn’t even a blip. However, 60 years is significant in an
ever-changing and expanding city like young Johannesburg. Remarkably, the
approach of successive volunteer committees charged with managing the Melville
Koppies Complex hasn’t changed over the past six decades. The Koppies are the
last unspoiled remnants of the Witwatersrand’s quartzite ridges, the same today
as they were before the discovery of gold in 1886. During the 1950s, the section
now known as Melville Koppies Central came to be seen as an invaluable resource
for environmental education, research, fieldwork and sustainable recreation. As
a result, conserving the Koppies and maintaining its natural ambience became a
priority. ‘Development’ was strictly controlled and kept to the absolute
minimum. This founding and far-sighted approach is still the same in
2019.
Melville Koppies
was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1959, thanks to the efforts of The University
of the Witwatersrand (Wits), the Transvaal Horticultural Society, The Tree
Society of Southern Africa and concerned residents in the area. Councillor H. M.
J. ‘Sporie’ van Rensburg championed the process through the Johannesburg City
Council. The reserve belongs to the City of Johannesburg. At the time, the city
lacked the expertise to manage Joburg’s indigenous reserves, so a volunteer
committee, the Johannesburg Council for Natural History (JCNH) was set up to act
in an advisory capacity.
After a brief
stint under Prof. N. P. Badenhuizen, the JCNH’s first volunteer committee was
chaired by Irene Sturgess, Head of Botany at Wits, from 1960 to 1980. John
Freer, who compiled the first bird
list for Melville Koppies in 1960, took over as chair from 1980 to 1993. John
also regularly undertook guiding and bird walks right up to his retirement,
shortly before his death in 2017.
The JCNH period
(1959–1992) –– the nature component
The first twenty
years as a nature reserve were characterised by intensive knowledge-gathering
investigations. Every aspect of the 50-hectare reserve provided new and exciting
research opportunities into numerous hitherto unexplored fields. However,
research into the vegetation had begun much earlier, in 1922, thanks to the
foresight of C. E. Moss, first professor of Botany at Wits. Since then, more
than 60 papers have been produced by Wits academia and the then Rand Afrikaans
University (RAU), now the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Over 500 plant taxa
are presently curated at Wits’s Moss Herbarium. Research topics cover flora
(vegetation ecology, grasses, orchids, seasonal flora, succulents, ferns, trees,
shrubs, etc.), insects, geology, small mammals, and birds. John Bunning
initiated the ringing of birds at Melville Koppies in 1972 and continued ringing
every weekend for the next 25 years. Larger animals don’t feature in these
studies –– there were none left by the 20th century. As early
Joburg’s burgeoning population took over the area, these animals either moved
out or became someone’s pot luck.
Prof. Raymond Dart
was a member of the first JCNH committee. He undertook no paleontological
explorations at Melville Koppies simply because the quartzite rock formations do
not weather into caves, unlike the more porous dolomitic deposits at the Cradle
of Mankind, just 35km west of the Koppies as the crow
flies.
During the
‘verkrampte’ apartheid years when there were few recreational opportunities on
Sundays, Melville Koppies became a popular destination, well promoted by James
Clarke, environmental reporter for The Star. Swamped with eager visitors, the
relatively few guides were unable to cope with the numbers. It was decided to
introduce a self-guided nature trail, a win-win solution for both the Koppies
and the public. An easy-to-follow trail was created to take visitors through the
differing types of terrain and indigenous vegetation, as well as to spots of
especial interest. Informative little guide booklets were made, with diagrams of
the paths and brief descriptions of the Koppies’ history, geology, fauna, flora
and birds. In 1971, Annabelle Lucas produced a seminal book, Wild Flowers of the Witwatersrand,
beautifully illustrated by botanic artist Barbara Pike – who is still painting
almost fifty years on!
Lecturers from
Joburg’s various tertiary institutions brought their students to Melville’s
‘outdoor living laboratory’ for fieldwork and research. Getting to the Koppies
was easy because it was on the route of the efficient municipal bus
service.
Conservation
efforts were concentrated around the ‘nature trail’ where volunteer hacking
parties removed weeds and planted indigenous trees. In addition, over 200 trees
(Acacia karroo, Cussonia paniculata, Combretum guenzii,
Grewia occidentalis, Ilex mitis, Kiggelaria africana, Leucosidea sericea, Rhus
amerina, Combretum
erythrophyllum, Olea africana, Celtis africana and Zizphus mucronata (original names as
listed on p. 50 of The Journal of the Tree Society in Southern Africa, Vol. XVI,
No. 2, July-Sept 1964) were planted in the kikuyu wasteland next to the Westdene
Spruit. A worker was employed to water the trees using a bucket filled up from
the spruit. A rather laborious but vital task – as all conservation work still
is on the Koppies.
The JCNH period
(1959–1992) –– the historical heritage
component
Prof. Revil Mason,
head of Archaeological Research at Wits, specialised in the Iron Age. On the
7th March 1963, while walking on the Central Koppies, he spotted the
remains of a 500-year-old Iron Age furnace. The find of this iron smelter
elevated Melville Koppies to National Monument status in 1968, updated to Joburg
Heritage Site status in 2002. Further excavations nearby uncovered a more recent
furnace, implements from the Early, Middle and Late Stone Ages, and traces of
stonewalling. Revil’s later investigations of The Cave on Melville Koppies West
revealed layers of human living, dating back to the Stone Age. Revil still has
his little hardcover black notebooks with all his
jottings.
Other subsequent
studies on the Iron Age furnace and smelting techniques were conducted by Robbie
Steele and Heinrich Friede. These two dedicated researchers gave twenty years of
service to Melville Koppies.
The Melville
Koppies Management Committee (MKMC) period (1993–and still ongoing in 2019) ––
the operating arm of Friends of Melville Koppies, a registered Non-Profit
Organisation and Public Benefit Organisation
Given the imminent
change of government in 1994 and the city’s lack of funding for, and expertise
in, conservation management, Dr Pat Condy, Director of Parks, acted to secure
the continuation of the conservation measures already in place. He drew up
recommendations for annually-elected volunteer committees to run Joburg’s nature
reserves in joint-venture relationships with Johannesburg Parks, now
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ).
Councillor Anschen
Dreyer was the first MKMC chairman (1993–1996), followed by Andrew Duthie
(1996–1998), Phil Silcock (1998–2001) and, currently, Wendy Carstens
(2001–).
The pattern of
usage for the Melville Koppies, as set by Irene Sturgess and her committee, has
been mostly followed by the subsequent committees, and still underpins
management practices in this 60th year,
2019.
* * * * *
Confused lines
Q: Is that Melville Koppies
restaurant?
A: No, we’re not on the West Rand. We are in the middle of
Joburg.
Q: But when is your restaurant open?
A: Sorry, we are not a restaurant.
Q: But it says Melville KOPPIES!
A: ‘Koppies’ means little cups and little hills. We only have
little hills.
Close encounter
Bobby, a small, cross-pointer dog, loves streaking, nose down,
through the veld of Melville Koppies East. On a recent visit to a farm in the
Heilbron district, he revelled in the freedom of the immense open fields and ran
himself ragged. On one such sortie in the long grass, he hurtled nose-to-nose
into a creature he had never met before –– a fast-running dassie, coming from
the opposite direction. Shock. Confusion. Tactic? Outcome? Both continued
casually on their separate ways as if the encounter had never occurred.
Bobby’s humans, who had a ringside view of this head-on meeting,
were very amused but relieved that it was a
non-event.
2. Scheduled
Sunday group hikes / guided group tours
|
event
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Guided tour –– 3
hours
MK
Central
Children over six only. No dogs
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Hike –– 3
hours
MK
Central, East, West
Children over six only. No
dogs
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parking
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Marks Park Sports Club in
Judith Road, Emmarentia. Walk across the pedestrian crossing in Judith
Road to the stone reception hut at the main entrance of the Koppies. Pay
on the day.
The tour leaves from here at the scheduled time and then the
Koppies’ gates are locked.
No need to book unless you bring a large
group.
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Park, meet and pay in the upper
parking area of Marks Park Sports Club in Judith Road, Emmarentia.
The hike leaves from here at 8h30 sharp and then the Koppies’
gates are locked.
No need to book unless you bring a large
group.
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program
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The guide stops frequently to
talk about the flora, fauna, geology, archaeology,
history.
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The hike leader leads the group
on the trails.
No hiking off on your
own.
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fitness
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A reasonable level required for
the tour of about 4km which includes some steep rocky slopes.
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A reasonable level of fitness and
balance is required for the hike of about 8km which includes some steep
rocky slopes.
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gear
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Proper walking shoes, hat, sun
block, water and a snack if
needed –– especially for kids.
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Proper walking shoes, hat, sun
block, water and a snack for the midway
stop.
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cost
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R60 per adult, R40
per child
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R60 per adult, R40
per child
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2019
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Sunday guided tours
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All Sunday/special hikes start at 8h30
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January
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6th 15h00
20th 8h30
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13th
27th
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February
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3rd 15h00
17th
8h30
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10th
24th
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March
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3rd 15h00
17th 8h30
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10th
21st Human Rights Day
(Thursday)
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April
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7th 15h00
21st 8h30
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14th
28th
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May
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5th
14h00
19th 8h30
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1st May Day Hike
(Wednesday)
12th
26th
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June
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2nd 14h00
16th 8h30
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9th
23th
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July
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7th 14h00
21st 8h30
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14th
28th no
event
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August
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4th 14h00
18th 8h30
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11th
25th
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September
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1st no
event
15th 8h30
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8th
22nd no
event
24th Heritage Day Hike
(Tuesday)
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October
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6th 15h00
20th 8h30
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13th
27th no
event
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November
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3rd 15h00
17th 8h30
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10th
24th
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December
|
1st 15h00
15th 8h30
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8th
22nd
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Melville
Koppies WEST dog walks. Held on the first Saturday morning of every month
at 8h00 sharp. Duration +- 1 hour. R30 per person. Park at the end of
Arundel Road, Westdene. Contact Tony Lelliott (tony@lelliott.co.za)
to be put on his email database. Emails are sent out to confirm that the
walk will take
place.
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Weekday
group bookings are by
appointment. Phone 011 482 4797 or email fomk@mk.org.za. A non-refundable
minimum prepayment of R1 000 is required.
3. FOMK (Friends
of Melville Koppies) membership
FOMKs
can vote at AGMs. They also have the satisfaction of knowing that they
contribute to the preservation of a uniquely precious natural asset in Joburg’s
own backyard. Some people are automatically FOMKs—committee members, volunteer
guides and hike leaders/helpers, and those who contribute financially. To become
a FOMK, the annual contribution is R300 per family, R200 per individual and R100
per pensioner/student. Of course any additional amount is most welcome. If you
wish to become a FOMK, make an EFT to our bank account (details below) and send
your name, email address and proof of payment to fomk@mk.org.za. Your name will appear on the
updated FOMK list at the next AGM.
4. Supporting
Melville Koppies
a. MySchoolMyVillageMyPlanet
card
Melville Koppies is a beneficiary of the MySchoolMyVillageMyPlanet
fundraising programme in the MyPlanet category. This is an easy way to help fund the
conservation of Melville Koppies. Pick up an application form from any
branch of Woolworths or apply online at www.myschool.co.za/supporter/
b. JUNKIE Charity Store, 7A Seventh Street, Melville
Melville Koppies is very fortunate to be supported by JUNKIE
Charity Store. The owner, Michelle de Villiers, makes a substantial contribution
to the Koppies every month but she needs a ready supply of things to sell.
Please drop off your goods at JUNKIE and designate Melville Koppies as the
beneficiary. Large items can be collected from your home at no cost (love@junkie.co.za
or 082 923 4189).
c. CDs of Melville
Koppies
Eleven CDs of Melville Koppies are available at R50 each
(‘Overview’, ‘Flowers’, ‘Fauna’, ‘Trees & Shrubs’, ‘Archaeology &
History’, ‘Geology’, ‘Environmental
Management’, ‘Ecology of Melville Koppies’, ‘Proteas of Melville Koppies’,
‘Joburg from Melville Koppies’ and ‘The Westdene Spruit’). Should you wish to
purchase all eleven CDs, the whole set is available on a flashdisk at R350. CDs
and flashdisks are on sale before the Sunday tours/hikes, or can be bought or
ordered from the Melville office: 011 482 4797 and
fomk@mk.org.za.
d. Gift
vouchers
Have
you run out of ideas for gifts for those special people who have everything?
Give a Melville Koppies gift
voucher. Each R50 voucher can be redeemed for a guided group tour, group
hike, CD or birthday calendar. Many people intend visiting the Koppies but never
get around to it. A voucher will be an encouragement to walk and keep fit in
beautiful surroundings. Enquiries Wendy 011 482 4797 or fomk@mk.org.za.
e. Help with
publicity
Write
a comment about your visit to Melville Koppies on
www.tripadvisor.co.za.
Leave a post or ‘like’ on our Facebook page
www.facebook.com/
f. Volunteer guide or hike
leader
We are always in need of reliable and committed tour guides and
hike leaders. Hike leaders need to know the trails of the Koppies in order to
lead the group or act as sweepers. Guides need to learn about all aspects of the
Koppies. This is a gradual process and one which we will gladly assist with.
g. Banking details for
donations
Private donations make up the shortfall in our finances every
month. Donations are tax deductible. If you would like to help in this way, our
banking details are:
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Bank
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Nedbank
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Branch and number
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Campus Square 158105
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Account name
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Melville Koppies Management
Committee
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Account number
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1581 017 421
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Our email
address
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