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Preserving a wild
corner of the west

NESTLED in the rolling hills of Roodepoort,

the Kloofendal Nature Reserve offers urban dwellers a retreat from the bustle of the city.

By Thomas Thale

IN a pristine corner of Joburg's western suburbs lies dense bush, a sanctuary for numerous species of birds, plants and

small animals, harking back to the days when the veld fringed the city's borders.

Located on the doorstep of high-density development, the 150 hectares Kloofendal Nature Reserve, run by Johannesburg's

City Parks, is a model of urban conservation.

Nestled along Galena Avenue, just north of Horison and to the west of Christiaan de Wet Road in the Roodepoort suburb of

Kloofendal, some 25km from the city centre, the reserve offers urban dwellers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Here, visitors can take walks along winding footpaths, be treated to the melody of chirping birds, and catch sight of trees and

animals in their natural environment.

Kobus Theunissen, professional specialist at City Parks, says Kloofendal boasts 132 flowering plants, 53 species of indigenous

tree and over 60 species of grass. "Kloofendal is considered to be a prime habitat for 97 species of birds,

including warblers that migrate there from Europe every year," says Theunissen. The reserve is also home to

mountain reedbucks, common duikers, hares, guinea fowl and butterflies.

In 2004, the City reintroduced into the park small game, including mountain reedbucks, duikers, small antelopes and hyraxes

(dassies) partly for the black eagles from the botanical garden nearby to feed on. A bird hide was also put up close to

the dam to enable visitors to catch a glimpse of birds quenching their thirst.

But Kloofendal was not always earmarked for conservation.

Indeed, back in 1884, one Frederick Struben undertook gold prospecting and exploration on the site, leading to the

establishment of the Confidence Reef Mine. The mineshaft can still be seen on the site, but it is closed to the public.

It was in 1972 that the City Council reserved Kloofendal as a protected wilderness area. A small section of the park,

close to the main entrance, was turned into a festival venue, complete with an amphitheatre and picnic facilities,

the rest remained a protected nature conservation area.

Theunissen says the environment of the area is very sensitive. "The place cannot be subjected to any disturbances such as

picnic fires or domestic pets. This could upset the natural balance."

For visitors, the park offers various activities mainly organised by Friends of Kloofendal, a voluntary organisation

dedicated to the preservation of the park.

Bart Simon, chairperson of the organisation, says the programmes, which are organised in conjunction with City Parks,

include three-hour educational walks for school kids during the week, and for adults over Weekends.

"We have qualified guides who speak with authority on various topics, including birds, flowers, indigenous plants and spiders."

Theunissen says one of the fascinating walks covers traditional medicine. "We have a traditional customs walk,

in which the guide explains the use of various tree bucks and roots in traditional medicine."

Other walks focus on topics such as the geology of Kloofendal, indigenous fruit and tea, butterflies, spiders,

spring wild flowers and nocturnal small mammals.

Credit is given to the Johannesburg News Agency; A link is provided to www.joburg.org.za;

TLC 0845 22 50 049 2