History + Nature = Beauty

Following the crime incidents at Melville koppies West that accumulated media attention recently, chairperson of the Melville Koppies Wendy Carstens speaks out.

Carstens informed that not all the sections at the Koppies are affected by crime.

“The areas consists of three sections – central which is 50 hectares and has controlled access, west which is 100 hectares and east which is 10 hectares,” she said.

Melville Koppies Central – which is just few kilometres from the city centre, is an oasis of calm, she said.

Carstens encourages individuals to take a challenging tour and walk in the veld, enjoy the sounds of birds and listen to the natural quietness as you learn more about the Iron Age and bushmen history.

The Koppies Central is the oldest part of the nature reserve and it was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1959, and in 1963 an Iron Age furnace was uncovered.

The nature reserve became a national monument.

She also explained that centuries ago, the place became the hunt for gold, with small deposits being found around the Witswatersrand before 1886.

Unfortunately, nothing came of it.

The ecology of the central part is determined by the geology and the climate and also the years of intensive conservation effort since its proclamation.

“It is beautiful around here,” said Carstens. “When you’re here you learn a lot about Johannesburg’s history.”

Carstens also mentioned that “the rocks have been here for 3.3 billion years.”

She is responsible for giving tours for nature lovers and also guided hikes for an ample experience. “A lot of people who visit the Koppies are mainly students who conduct their research and school children who enjoy nature.” She added that “educational tours are a fun experience.”

Melville Koppies is a joint venture with City Parks.

Details: www.mk.org.za or 011 482 4797