Hyacinth in Bronkhorstspruit: How locals fight to prevent invasion
According to the committee members of Clover Hill, the hyacinth has become more invasive this year, and it is endangering the waters for future generations.
Clover Hill, one of the most sought-after resorts at Bronkhorstspruit Dam, which has the longest shoreline compared to other surrounding resorts, has been severely affected by the water hyacinth invasion.
Luckily, the community has united to fight the ‘scourge of a beast’, preventing the weed from taking over the once-pristine ecology and waters.
Their efforts are exemplary and shed light on how to collectively tackle, confront and fight this problem, thereby diverting a long-term disaster that could potentially affect the greater local community and economy.
The hyacinth, an aquatic plant native to South America, was first spotted in the local waters just over two years ago.
Since then, it has rapidly spread, covering 1.8km of the Clover Hill shoreline and making it nearly impossible for visitors and owners to launch their watercraft.
According to the committee members of Clover Hill, the hyacinth has become more invasive this year, and it is endangering the waters for future generations.
The first step taken by the shareholders was physically removing the hyacinth from the shoreline last year. This was a successful method, and they continued the removal themselves.
However, as the plant became more invasive, a formal committee was formed with the approval of the Clover Hill directors.
The committee has six active members, all determined to beat this ‘beast’.
The members are Francois van Rensburg (chairman and operations), Willem Badenhort (operations), Gerrie Venter (oversees helpers), Beulah Fegen (finance), Marchelle van Niekerk (communications and marketing) and Tracy Laurens (co-chairperson, communications and marketing).
The committee’s vision and mission are to eventually purchase the machinery to keep the Clover Hill shoreline clean, and help neighbouring resorts keep their shorelines clean too.
They call on neighbouring resort managers to join in their fight against the hyacinth to ensure future generations can enjoy fun times on the water with their families and friends.
It will also ensure that future property values are not compromised should the problem be left unattended. This is a collective effort.
Physically removing the plant is the most effective method. Boat barges then assist by pushing the hyacinth toward the shore, TLBs remove it from the side of the shoreline and then tip the plant onto trailers or tipper trucks to haul it away.
The shareholders assisted with removing the hyacinth and used their private vehicles and trailers.
“The local farmers and businesses have been extremely supportive and compassionate in sponsoring their machinery in the last three major clean-up exercises,” said one of the committee members.
The clean-up exercises were possible because of funding from the 272 shareholders, without whom the hyacinth would completely take over the shoreline and water.
The Clover Hill levies were increased slightly to assist with funding, and shareholders also organised a jumble sale – a huge success – bringing in much-needed funds.
The project’s success also depends on Mother Nature because the shoreline can be clear one day, and the next, there are new ‘visitors’ because of constant weather fluctuations and wind direction shifts – exacerbated by boat movement on the dam.
Therefore, ongoing funding is necessary to keep the project active and ensure funding for labour, machinery, equipment, fuel and additional sundries required.
One of the main concerns regarding the hyacinth invasion is that the plant thrives because of the sewage spilt into the rivers.
The committee has pleaded with the local municipality and water affairs for more involvement and feedback on their plans to prevent the ‘beast’ from invading the waters.
They also emphasised that the weed makes its way into the drinking water, endangering the water for future generations.
The committee is reaching out to the public and local businesses to create awareness of the future dangers. This plant could cause harm if people do not fight back and remove it from the dam.
They welcome donations to their funding for labour and purchasing their own machinery/ equipment to assist neighbouring resorts with their hyacinth removal projects.
Donations can be made to:
*Bank: Standard Bank
*Account Holder Name: Clover Hill Club Share Block (Pty) Ltd
*Account Number: 303297530
*Account Type: Current
*Branch: Menlyn
*Branch Code: 012345
*Reference: “Your name/business name”.
