ESTATE MANAGER:
MARCEL MATUSIK
(064 057 4362)
CONCIERGE : Marlene Beukes
(021) 790-8233
24 HOUR GATEHOUSE SECURITY : (021) 790-8233
ADMINISTRATORS:
Cape Classic
hello@kenrockcountryestate.co.za
for general queries
info@capeclass.co.za – only account enquiries
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
* CCP WATCHCON: (021) 790-9333 -Emergencies
* Hout Bay Police Charge Office : (021) 791-9300 / (021) 701-8660
* Flying Squad : - 10111
* Ambulance: - 10177 / 084-124
* Hout Bay Fire Station : (021) 480-7700
Letter from the Chair…
Dear Kenrock Residents
Welcome to the latest edition of Kenrock Country Estates newsletter. I am excited to share with you the latest developments and news from our community. With the winter season gradually fading, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of warmer weather. This transition is made more enjoyable by the fact that the recent winter months brought an unprecedented amount of rain to our estate. As a result, our grounds are now adorned in lush greenery, presenting Kenrock in its full glory. Marcel Matusik our new estate manager joined us in August. Marcel brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in estate management that will undoubtedly benefit all residents of Kenrock. We look forward to having Marcel on board. Additionally, John Dovey has been appointed as our new Estate Architect. John is a seasoned and accomplished professional in the field of architecture. Please reach out to John or Marcel if you require any support or assistance with your building project. We are making good progress in safeguarding the estate against the impact of potential fires within our boundaries. A comprehensive fire risk audit was conducted by NCC Environmental Services in July. Steps to improve the estates fire resilience are currently being planned based on this audit.
Kenrock Country Estate has always been committed to preserving its natural beauty and ecological balance. In response to concerns raised by some residents about the management of alien trees a significant amount of time has been spent engaging with relevant authorities on estate fire risk, the management of alien trees and the potential impact of non-compliance of the Operational Environment Management Plan (OEMP). With all engagements now concluded, the way forward will be communicated to all residents in the coming weeks.
Halloween will be the next community event coming up in October! After the tremendous success of last year's Halloween celebration, we can't wait to recreate the magic and make this year's event even more fun and memorable for everyone. We hope to see all of you on the day, as your participation is what makes our community events so special.
Lastly, I appeal to all residents to follow good eco-practices and support the refuse collection and recycling process introduced earlier this year.
I hope you find the newsletter informative and enjoyable to read. If you have any suggestions, stories, or events you'd like to share for our next edition, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Best wishes
Francois van ZylWe want to wish the following new residents and tenants a warm Kenrock welcome!
Mr. and Mrs. Braun, Marco May and Esther Booth, Jaysheer Naidoo, Jaco and Inga De Vries, Blaine Smith, and Simon Malherbe.
enjoys quality time with his wife and children. He loves being outdoors and enjoys to cycle, run, MTB, paddle, swim, rock climb and horse riding - to name just a few.
Marcel is a highly experienced and capable individual who makes an excellent fit as Kenrock’s Estate Manager. He has a proven track record of successfully managing various projects throughout his career. As the Construction Manager at KTK Construction BKB, Marcel was responsible for overseeing employees, sub-contractors, and all aspects of construction projects. He then went on to found, direct, and serve as CEO of USIK Construction (Pty)Ltd, where he managed a large workforce and handled every aspect of running a construction company. Marcel's diverse skills also include his role as a Farm Manager at NIDDERDALE Farm, where he successfully managed a 575 Hectar apple and pear farm. With his expertise in orchard planning, management, and spraying, he demonstrates a unique ability to handle a wide range of responsibilities with enthusiasm and energy. He speaks/reads and writes English, Afrikaans, German, and Swiss German fluently. Marcel's impressive background and dedication to ethical practices is ideal for the position of estate manager in our eco-motivated community.
The next event on our calendar is Halloween
DATE: Tuesday, 31 OCTOBER 2023
TIME: Trick or Treating will be between 17:00 and 19:00.
Mark your home with a balloon if you want to participate in the Trick and Treat activities.
NOTE TO PARENTS:
CHILDREN CAN ONLY TRICK OR TREAT AT HOMES MARKED WITH A BALLOON OR HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS!
Driving into the Kenrock and you're bound to encounter a bird that's as quintessentially South African as the protea or the Springbok: The Helmeted Guinea Fowl.
From Africa’s sweeping savannahs to the rolling farmlands ; on the vast plains of our country, where they forage in large numbers; to the gardens of suburban areas, these birds have shown a remarkable adaptability. They are commonly found on farms and gardens in various parts of the country.
Amidst the vast array of bird species that grace our planet, this guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) stands out as a creature of intrigue and fascination. At first glance, this bird commands attention with its striking appearance. It is adorned with a helmet-like bony casque on its head and dotted with white spots against a grayish-black plumage. The bright blue face contrasts sharply with its red-ringed eyes, giving it a distinctive visage.
Guinea fowl are primarily ground feeders. Their diet is eclectic. It ranges from seeds, berries, and small insects to larger prey such as ticks, making them natural pest controllers. Farmers often cherish them for this very reason, as they help in reducing tick populations, which can be detrimental to livestock.
Often seen in groups called "flocks” guinea fowls are social creatures Their activities, especially the energetic and melodious calls, are a delight to observe. These calls serve various purposes, from keeping the flock together to alerting others about potential dangers.
In the wild, they face threats from various predators, including large birds of prey, snakes, and land mammals like the jackal. Their primary defense is their incredible speed and agility. When threatened, they prefer to run but can also take to the skies if necessary. Their keen sense of hearing and vision are their early warning systems against lurking dangers.
THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE HELMETED GUINEA FOWL:
• Monogamous Creatures: Once paired, a male and female guinea fowl tend to stay together for life. Their bond is strong, and they can often be seen foraging together.
• Dust Baths: One of their intriguing behaviors is taking dust baths. They revel in digging shallow pits in the ground, then rolling and flapping in the dirt, which helps them get rid of parasites.
• Cultural Significance: In various African cultures, the guinea fowl is revered and has mythological importance. Their feathers are often used in traditional attire and ceremonies.
•
In conclusion, guinea fowl is not just another bird. It's a testament to nature's ability to craft species that are adaptable, functional, and yet, undeniably enchanting. The next time you encounter one, take a moment to appreciate its uniqueness and the subtle wonders it brings to our world.
https://www.sanbi.org/animal-of-the-week/helmeted-guinea-fowl/
KENROCK ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES
We have commenced the revision of Kenrock Country Estate architectural guidelines. The original Manual, written in 2002, has served us well, and there is a tremendous amount of valuable guidance within it that we believe is still worth preserving, especially in terms of aesthetics and our commitment to preserving the natural environment. However, the ever-evolving changes in building specifications and the availability of new materials have necessitated this review. Therefore, our focus is primarily on modernization rather than radical change. Our goal is to ensure that these guidelines remain relevant and adaptable to our evolving community while respecting the foundation that the original Manual provided. Please feel free to reach out to our estate manager, Marcel if you have any suggestions or ideas for us to consider.
We request that all residents download and make use of the At The Gate App, for those of you already making use of it, we thank you (* see below for download links) Pre-authorise your visitors with a system generated QR code which allows for a timesaving pleasant experience for your visitor’s arrival to Kenrock Country Estate. Should you need assistance with setting it up, please contact the Estate Manager.
As the warmer weather is approaching (we hope) more people are taking to the trails and roads on their feet or bikes.
TIPS ON KEEPING SAFE WHILE OUT ON THE TRAILS OF CAPE TOWN:
• Plan your route and research the trail before heading out, familiarise yourself with the terrain, difficulty level, and any potential safety concerns. Stick to well -marked and established trails.
• Inform someone about your plans; let a family member or a friend know about your intended route and estimated time of return.
• Run, cycle, hike with a partner or in a group, join a local club, safety in numbers.
• Stay alert and aware: always Pay attention to your surroundings. Avoid using headphones or listening to music at high volumes as they can distract you from potential dangers.
• Be visible: wear brightly coloured or reflective clothing to enhance your visibility, especially if you are running, or cycling at low light conditions, equip your bike with lights to increase visibility to motorists.
• Stay hydrated and carry a fully charged phone with you and ensure that it is easily accessible in case you need to call for help.
* At Gate App – Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.atthegate.notification&hl=en_ZA&gl=US
* At The Gate – Apple i0S
https://apps.apple.com/za/app/atthegate-user-application/id1221303077
KHOA Fire policy and response plan
The primary aim of the KHOA fire plan is the protection of lives (human and animals) and the containment of estate fires, both house fires and fires in the open common areas of the estate, until the arrival of the official fire-fighting organisations.
Fire assessment
An assessment of the level of wildfire risk faced by the estate was completed in July 2023 by NCC Environmental Services (a company that provides fire advisory and fire management services to a range of clients including the City of Cape Town and National Parks). The result of the assessment was to rate Kenrock Estate as “high risk”. The major risk factors identified were as follows:
• Lack of defensible space around structures (below 10 meters).
• High vegetation density (alien vegetation and fallen tree trunks and other dead vegetation).
• Lack of multiple access points to estate.
• Fire risk posed by neighbouring properties (high vegetation density on Eastern border).
KHOA response to Fire assessment
In response to the fire assessment, the Estate Manager has been tasked with the completion of the following action plans prior to the on-set of the “peak fire season” at the end of November:
• Removal of existing alien vegetation, including the remaining cluster pines in the common areas.
• Removal of dead tree trunks and other dead vegetation within the estate.
• Maintenance of a firebreak around the external fence to the estate.
• Appointment of NCC Environmental Services to provide firefighting services in the event of an estate fire.
• Provision of fire prevention education to Kenrock residents.
• Advice to Kenrock residents on how to lower the fire risk to individual properties.
• Review of fire-fighting equipment and fire training of estate staff.
KHOA Fire committee
The KHOA Fire plan calls for the establishment of a fire committee whose primary function is to coordinate activities, in the event of a fire, prior to the arrival of the official fire-fighting organisations.
The KHOA fire plan calls for the appointment of five team leaders who will each be responsible for their allocated section of the estate. It is envisaged that Eagle Avenue and adjoining roads would require three team leaders and that Kestrel Way and adjoining roads would require two team leaders.
• Would any resident who is willing to serve as a team leader please contact the Estate Manager.
Fire management training
Fire management training will take place during October 2023. Will all residents interested in joining the fire management training course please contact the Estate Manager. Fire management training is free of charge to all Kenrock residents.
House Fires
We encourage you to heed the following safety tips regarding house fires:
1. Have working smoke detectors in every room of your home and test them monthly.
2. Create and practice a fire escape plan with your family and pets.
3. Keep flammable materials away from heat sources.
4. Never leave cooking food unattended.
5. Keep a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket in an easily access ible location.
6. If you need to evacuate the estate, please familiarize yourself with your nearest accessible emergency exit:
a. Main gate – bottom of Eagle Avenue
b. Top emergency exit – next to 45 Eagle Avenue
c. Bottom emergency exit – next to 3 Barn Owl
7. Ensure gutters are clear of dead leaves and other flammable material.
8. Remove alien vegetation from your garden. Alien vegetation tends to be more flammable than natural fynbos
Actions in the event of a House Fire
1. Instruct people to get out of the house immediately.
2. Help people with physical or mobility disabilities to get out of the house and stay well away from the property.
3. If there is a lot of smoke, crawl out below the smoke to escape the fire.
4. Where possible, have more than 1 exit from your house with clear routes to the door.
5. If you have sufficient time, place your gas cylinders into your swimming pool to prevent explosion.
Important Contact Numbers
In the event of a house fire or a fire in the common areas of the estate, please contact the following organisations:
Fire Department:
o 021 590 1900
o or 021 480 7700 (from mobile)
o or 107 (from a landline)
(GIVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS AS TO THE ADDRESS)
Kenrock Security Office: o 021 790 8233
Estate manager or trustees as per (contact details on page 1 of the newsletter)
• Please ensure that at least two of the above organisations are contacted to ensure that Kenrock Estate management are involved at the earliest possible opportunity.