Welcome to the CRRA ~
Conserving Constantia’s rural and cultural landscape for all.
Promoting and safeguarding the interests of ratepayers and residents.
Things happening in the Valley!
Dear Parks friends
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department would like to invite you all to take part in this year’s City Nature Challenge which will occur from 24 – 27 April 2020. citynaturechallenge.org/participate/
The City Nature Challenge is organized by the citizen science teams at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences. For Cape Town, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) together with the City’s Biodiversity Management Branch are the main organisers, numerous organisation such as CapeNature, Table Mountain National Fund, BOTSOC, CREW etc. are also taking part. There are many opportunities for the recreation and parks department to put our hubs on the map, we would like to kindly request that you take part; you can rally your respective Friend’s groups, volunteers and active surrounding community members to participate and, put our parks, conservation areas, gardens, greenbelts and, public open spaces on the map in 2020.
About:
The project was started in 2016 in the USA with only 2 participating cities to record and capture nature in cities to better understand biodiversity in an urban context; over the three year it has grown to over 159 participating cities across the globe with Cape Town winning two of the tree main categories last year. This year Cape Town aims to reach more participants and record more fauna and flora and take home all three top prizes.
www.inaturalist.org/…/city-nature-challenge-2020-ca…
Keeping the Mother City on the top of the biodiversity map!
Please Diarize: 24-27 April 2020 – please be here
Our 2020 targets: 55,000 observations, 4000 species and 2500 observers!
ALSO PARTICIPATING: Durban, Garden Route, Gaborone, Nelson Mandela Bay, Tswane – BE PART OF THE FUN!
Our role:
Cape Town boasts of being one of the most biodiverse cities on Earth and we proved it in 2019. Let us prove it again and make sure that Cape Town stays on top of both the Biodiversity and Citizen Science maps. We need observations, we need species and we need observers – WE NEED YOU.
Please sign up, join this project and watch the press and your society newsletters for details in your area.
Follow progress here: www.inaturalist.org/proj…/city-nature-challenge-2020
Steps on how to participate:
It is simple to participate.
Simply download the iNaturalist App onto your smart phone between 24 - 27 April 2020 and sign up to iNaturalist and get practicing for the big event, please ensure that you practice before the event so that we can get lots of good observations over the weekend.
Over 100 cities around the world will be calling on their citizen scientists to bioblitz their biodiversity, any wild animal, plant, tree or fungus is game.
On the days of the event, participants simply capture any plant/tree/animal/fungi of interest and load it on iNaturalist, ensure that you specify the location; you do not have to know what it is - there are people that will be ready and waiting to ID them for you on the app.
You can make it a friend’s event, a family outing or simply hike and jog through your favourite park/greenspace, conservation area, garden, open space and capture as you go!
Loads of prizes to be won by participants!
After the event, SANBI and partners will host a prize giving event, were numerous prizes are up for grabs to participants!
Pease indicate if you and your respective group are interested and/or will be taking part by emailing or phone call.
Feel free to contact me if you have any queries.
Enkosi,
Sihle Jonas
Ecological Coordinator
Recreation and Parks
Community Services and Health
Jan Burger Sports Complex, Parow North
Tel: 021 444 6025 |Email: sihle.jonas@capetown.gov.za |Web: www.capetown.gov.za
Please complete of you have time
Public Understanding of the COVID-19 Emergency
www.surveymonkey.com
South African Public Understanding of and Response to the COVID-19 Emergency Survey Take this survey powered by BiNu #Datafree and the HSRCI have done 👍
If perusing through antiques and chatting to friendly folk is just down your street then why not pop into The Alphen Antiques and Collectables Fair on March 22 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: The Garrat Memorial Hall, 5 Eskol Lane, Constantia
Cape Town, Western Cape 7806 South Africa
The Alphen Antiques and Collectables Fairs are held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month at the Garrat Memorial Hall, 5 Eskol Lane (off Strawberry Lane/turn off at Pedlars on the Bend), Constantia from 10am - 3pm. A variety of items will be on sale. Entry is free, there is ample parking and refreshments are available. Enquiries: Des +27(0)846267499
Why is this event not cancelled?
This should be cancelled.
Ho-Hum, its Friday 13th! But don't let that get you down, plan for some Saturday fun, why not join the Constantia Greenbelt parkrun
What is Constantia Greenbelt parkrun?
It is a 5km run - it's you against the clock.
When is it?
Every Saturday at 8:00am.
Where is it?
The event starts at the meadow on Le Sueur Avenue Constantia Greenbelt, Alphen trail, Constantia, Cape Town, 7806.
What does it cost to join in?
Nothing - it's free! but please register (www.parkrun.co.za/register/) before your first run. Only ever register with parkrun once. Don't forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode . If you forget it, you won't get a time.
How fast do I have to be?
We all run for our own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!
Constantia Greenbelt parkrun needs you!
It is entirely organised by volunteers - email constantiagreenbelthelpers@parkrun.com to help.
We're friendly!
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in Mugg and Bean Constantia Village - please come and join us!
Recycling
Did you know that the proceeds of your recycling at The Constantia Village go towards helping the Friends of Constantia Valley Greenbelts.
Location: Depot near Exclusive Books end of Constantia Village
Mon-Sat: 8am - 5pm
Sundays: 8am - 1pm
Recycling info:
Home owners to separate their containers ;
Glass – bottles & jars
Paper- flattened & folded
Plastic- bottles , milk containers & food packaging
Cardboard – flattened & folded
Please pop all items in clear plastic bags
Where can I take the Eco bottles that I’ve been stuffing with plastics ...Ecobricks...
APPEAL TO RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BMW MOTOR SHOWROOM and SERVICE CENTRE WORKSHOP OPINION POLL
This link will take you directly to the opinion poll:
forms.gle/3etJtJbGDXV4QSsp6
Background
In 2017 the portion of land south of the Constantia Emporium was restored to the rightful owners, the Kherekar Family, after a protracted land restitution case.
The Kherekar Family Trust have an agreement with Moputso Investments to develop a BMW motor showroom and service centre workshop on the site. They have submitted a planning application to the City, now under consideration.
The CRRA are fully supportive of land restitution, re-zoning and development, however it must be done according to the City’s planning By-Laws and policies and be appropriate in terms of the City’s District Plan for the area. The CRRA have objected to the application believing that the overpowering industrial/showroom appearance of the development is inappropriate for the Constantia Valley and the M3 which is an official scenic route and will detract from its attraction as a top tourist destination.
We need to find out what residents feel about the proposed development and ask that you spend 5 minutes on this snap survey. forms.gle/3etJtJbGDXV4QSsp6
THE FUTURE OF CONSTANTIA IS IN YOUR HANDS
BMW motor showroom and service centre workshop Opinion Poll
forms.gle
In 2017 the portion of land south of the Constantia Emporium was restored to the rightful owners, the Kherekar Family, after a protracted land restitution case. The Kherekar Family Trust have an agreement with Moputso Investments to develop a BMW motor showroom and service centre workshop on the sit...It looks like the CRRA has not learnt from the drubbing it got in the last court case involving the council and the Constantia Emporium
I Think It's Shocking Should Never Be Aproved
We love gardens and the gardens at The Cellars-Hohenort are exceptional, if you want to enjoy them too, why not join one of their GUIDED GARDEN TOURS
Details: The guided garden tours take place every Wednesday at 10h30, guests will be in the capable hands of our garden manager. When the tour concludes, guests can enjoy tea and freshly baked scones outside in the picturesque garden setting or on the hotel’s Conservatory terrace.
Price: R 135 per person, includes 1 hour garden tour, tea & scones
The Cellars-Hohenort are hosting a great event for Human Rights Day. Christo Brand (Madiba’s former prison guard), will reflect on their close camaraderie. Part of the proceeds will go to Sisters Incorporated. Price R575 per person
Best of Luck to all those riding in the Cape Town Cycle Tour tomorrow! Don't forget the road closures around the whole of Cape Town.
View the issues we are discussing & add your own comments
REPORT A PROBLEM
The City of Cape Town has made it easy to to lodge a service request.
Are you a Constantia ratepayer?
Join our community here
Read about our local businesses & advertisers
PLEASE DONATE TO STREET CLEANING:
R200 pays for one cleaner per day!
Council have an extended PublicWorks Programme which allows for some cleaning of the main roads, but as you can see from the amount of litter everywhere, this is not working and despite our best efforts, Council will do nothing further. SO HOW CAN YOU HELP US TO SUSTAIN THE CLEARING? SNAPSCAN THIS CODE ON THE LEFT!!
Simply scan this code into your Snapscan application on your phone and enter an amount to donate.
The Future of Constantia is in your hands.
