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FEATURE

A field of Senecios emerged after Aloe verecunda with Parinari capensis under a Mundulea Open air lecture hut
the Hyparrhenia hirta was burnt senecio tree

A demonstration burn for Wits students. The conservation team burnt a five metre wide circle Hikers on Bushman Trail
around the designated patch before the students arrived and the burnt patch is currently full
of veld flowers and healthy grasses

Melville Koppies Central Reserve, plus the 10ha public open university, special interest groups, researchers, field worker students
section of Melville Koppies East. and international groups.
For the past 20 years, volunteer work parties have been replaced A recent and very welcome trend is for landscapers to use the
by a conservation team of three full-time and one part-time worker, inspiration of nature’s random example for indigenous gardening
supervised by a volunteer and funded entirely by donations. projects. A kaleidoscope of colours, shapes, fragrances, insects, birds,
The experienced workers are continually weeding, doing trail fungi and exposed rocks will be the reward.
maintenance, cutting back overhanging branches on trails, clearing In addition to the natural heritage, the heritage of Khoisan, early
the spruit of litter after rains and removing indigenous and alien bush farmers and gold prospectors is also scattered randomly in the
encroachment from the grasslands. We use no pesticides. Instead reserve. Guides introduce visitors to this history on tours.
fires, rain, drought, occasionally snow and the random distribution Melville Koppies is a rich and varied heritage gem in the middle
of plants seems to discourage most pests. We do not plant, water, of Johannesburg, and in September 2023 won the prestigious
use manure or fertilise. Occasional small patches of monoculture are Golden Shield Heritage Award as a ‘preferred heritage destination’.
naturally seeded. This competition was organised by the National Heritage Council, an
We have a controlled and monitored fire regime which is agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
sometimes augmented by uncontrolled fires. Fire is an essential The heritage preserved at Melville Koppies includes the geology,
factor of Highveld grassland management as it removes moribund flora, fauna and history of people from the Khoisan, early farmers and
grass material and promotes the growth of spring pre-rain flowers. more recent gold prospectors – a truly embracing heritage of South
Indigenous trees survive fire in rocky protected areas. Professor Sally Africa.
Archibald of Wits University also advises us. She is an international
grassland expert and brings her students on annual visits to the Pertinent information
koppies, where we do a controlled demonstration burn. Melville Koppies Central is open every Sunday from 8am to 11.30am.
The conservation team maintains scenic well-designed paths There is safe parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park Sports Club
which meander through grasslands, a clean Westdene Spruit, in Judith Road, Emmarentia. The cost is R90 for adults and R50 for
forested areas, rocky ridges with some steep inclines and a ‘wow’ children under 18. All funds are used for maintenance of the koppies.
lookout point with panoramic views. On open Sunday mornings, Midweek tours, school, university and special interest groups can all
visitors are given maps of the reserve with trails clearly marked. be booked. These are R100pp, R50 for children under 18. There is a
They can walk, hike, run, sit down, meditate or join a guided tour. minimum group charge.
During the week, Melville Koppies guides are involved with school, For more information phone 079 532 0083 or visit www.mk.org.za n

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 133 2024 13