Weed warriors unite at Melville Koppies
Volunteers spent a good part of their morning clearing the site of weeds.
A group of locals recently waged war against the weeds growing at the Melville Koppies when they banded together to clear a few sections of the area.
Led by Wendy Carstens and Tam Scheidigger, these volunteers removed blackjacks, khakibos, galinsoga and klein khakibos.
One warrior, Elsje Bonthuys, said on the day they cleared sections found by the Kloof Street entrance, a weedy section found close to Kaffue Road as well as the surrounding areas.
Though Bonthuys recognises that some people may think weeding to be a bit strange, she knows just how essential the task is for the site. Explaining how it is important to maintain the cultural and natural resources at the Koppies which people enjoy regularly, “If weeds are allowed to take over, the beautiful grasses disappear. Together with that, all the special little flowers, lovely birds, and small mammals we all enjoy and benefit from.”
Fellow weed warrior, Nastassja Penn, said she would gladly go back to the Koppies again for the same project because, for her, it is an important one for two reasons; respect for the community members who use the natural site and because she loves any opportunity to be a positive contributor to others her community in any way she can help.
Bonthuys shared how she would love for other people to volunteer for the Koppies, bringing whatever skills they have as they need people with competency in admin, website management, guides for hikes, and more.
The next war on weeds will be on February 10 from 07:00 to 10:00. Enter at the gate on 5th Street, Melville, next to the Heritage Church.
Related Article: The Melville Koppies proves it’s more than “just a bit a grass“
