The City of Cape Town is to pump R3 million over two years into the restoration of Princess Vlei in Retreat.

According to Cllr Jan Burger, Councillor for Ward 72 which includes Southfield, Parkwood, Elfindale, Heathfield and Retreat, the first phase of the project has already created 12 job opportunities.

"The aim of the project is to transform the Princess Vlei wetlands into a top fynbos sanctuary for recreational and educational use," says Burger. This project is a partnership between the municipality, the South African National Botanical Institute (SANBI), Working for Wetlands and Biowatch.

It will run over a period of three years and include the clearing of alien vegetation, the planting of indigenous fynbos, and the building of pathways, recreational areas, bomas and lookout posts for bird watching.

"City Parks and Biowatch have already planted over 900 indigenous plants in the area. We hope this project will encourage local communities to plant fynbos gardens which will complement the local environment.

"The first phase will focus on the area between the M5 highway south and the ‘Jolly Carp’ club along Sasmeer Road. In January next year the action will move to the area along the M5 south between Sasmeer Road and the fish market. The final phase in 2010 will consist of the extension of the work done during phase one towards Consort Road.

"Kelvin Cochrane of Biowatch is one of the main driving forces behind this upgrade. He and his team are tirelessly working to reclaim this beautiful area. People who are interested in the development, are welcome to visit the project on the corner of Sasmeer road and the M5 highway and speak to Kelvin on site," he says.

The vlei was originally dubbed as the Diep River Vlei by Jan van Riebeeck. According to folklore the vlei was later renamed after a local Khoi princess who ruled a tribe in the Constantia Valley. The legend ends tragically when the princess was captured by a band of Portuguese sailors whilst bathing in the vlei.

"The surrounding communities still keep this legacy alive. They firmly believe that anybody who goes into the water will die.

"We are contemplating the installation of a commemorative symbol in the midst of the newly created indigenous garden to commemorate the princess," Cllr Burger said.


ISSUED BY:
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
TEL: 021 400 3719

MEDIA QUERIES:
CLLR JAN BURGER,
WARD COUNCILLOR : WARD 72, CITY OF CAPE TOWN,
TEL: 021 705 3577 CELL: 083 415 3017