Community digs in to restore fynbos at Jack Muller Park
05 June 2025
In honour of World Environment Day, the City’s Recreation and Parks Department hosted a community-led environmental activation at Jack Muller Park in Bellville today. The event highlighted the importance of biodiversity and ecological restoration, featuring the planting of rare indigenous fynbos species and seed sowing activities.
The planting effort focused on the Kraaifontein Spiderhead (Serruria furcellata), a rare Protea species, as part of a broader fynbos rehabilitation initiative. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) has donated 30 rare Protea plants to the City for planting in this area.
Over the past two years, stakeholders have worked together to clear invasive kikuyu grass and collect more than 20 indigenous seed species in preparation for today’s activity.
This was made possible through a long-standing collaboration between the City’s Recreation and Parks Department and passionate local environmental groups, including the Friends of Jack Muller Park and the Jack Muller Hack Group. The Wildflower Stepping Stones Group also joined the initiative to assist with today's planting.
‘This hands-on celebration of World Environment Day is a powerful reminder that every community has the ability to protect and restore our precious natural heritage. Through partnerships with local volunteers and environmental groups, we are not only rehabilitating ecosystems but also inspiring civic action and pride in our biodiversity. I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the community volunteers and City officials who care for and protect our parks and public open spaces. Your continued commitment makes a lasting difference,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
‘Jack Muller Park is a space for people to enjoy and connect with nature, but that comes with a shared responsibility. We must continue to protect and sustain the hard work that’s gone into restoring and maintaining this unique conservation area. It’s inspiring to see what can be accomplished when residents take pride in and ownership of their local green spaces,’ said Ward Councillor Roger Cannon.
This initiative forms part of the broader international ‘Make a Difference Week’, taking place from 2 to 5 June 2025, which celebrates local ecological activations in conservation areas across Cape Town. These events aim to inspire civic action through hands-on ecological rehabilitation and community-driven conservation efforts.
Activities during the week include seed broadcasting, fynbos and wetland rehabilitation, and rare species planting in areas such as Penhill Conservation Area, Door de Kraal, Acacia Park, and Jack Muller Park — each site addressing unique ecological challenges in collaboration with local community groups and ward councillors.
Caption 1: Councillor Higham and Councillor Cannon plant some of the fynbos.
Caption 2: Kraaifontein Spiderhead (Serruria furcellata),that was planted today.
Caption 3: Representatives from participating organisations helped to plant the fynbos.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
