MILNERTON
Woensdag, 23 September 2020 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | e-pos: nuus@tygerburger.co.za
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TABLE VIEW: A SEA OF SPRING FLOWERS
To mow or not to mow? Open fields and parks in Table View and Milnerton are blooming with spring flowers. INSERT: The City of Cape Town has since mowed open fields across the City. PHOTOS: COLIN BROWN
KAILIN DANIELS @k10daniels
“I
t’s spring! Flowers should be allowed to bloom naturally.” These are the words of a resident who feels that the burst of floral growth in the Table View and Milnerton areas should not be mowed. Residents lashed out at City of Cape Town mowers, when spring flowers were mowed in open fields and in parks. Alta Cornelius said she was shocked to see most of the flowers cut at her nearby park. “I went out for a walk with my dog just to see that all the beautiful flowers were gone. Flowers should be left alone! Now we have dull parks and fields for the spring season,” Cornelius said. Other residents on social media claim that mowing is necessary as most mistake flowers for weeds. “The City mowed these supposed flowers because it is not really flowers. They City is
just doing their job to mow the weeds away,” a post on Facebook reads. The City’s Mayco member for community services and health, Zahid Badroodien, said every spring brings forth an explosion of annuals and perennials which germinate in the wet soil as the weather warms up. “Mowing causes contention as residents on either side of the hedge flood us with numerous requests for parks to be both mowed and left to flower. “Many residents and visitors to the areas where the flowers occur contend that they should be left untouched and not mowed until the seeds have ripened and dropped. “Some of these are remnants of indigenous fynbos, renosterbos and strandveld, which can transform open spaces into Namaqualand-type flower shows. “Other vegetation making their appearance include weed grasses such as common wild oats and broadleaf weeds such as Patterson’s curse. “These weeds quickly push their flower
heads upwards and reach 1,5 metres high, even within a matter of days after being mowed,” Badroodien said. Badroodien added the City has more than 6 461 hectares of land to be mowed. He explained, “There are many open areas throughout the city, including identified biodiversity areas or nature sensitive areas, where mowing does not take place. “Despite these challenges, all efforts are being made to keep our parks and sidewalks tidy and properly maintained, while at the same time satisfying the nature lovers and those keen on the new spring buds.” The City pointed out the following parks where mowing does not take place: . Surrey Park, Claremont After being mowed for many years, this park lost much of its indigenous vegetation. A few years ago, the mowing schedule was adjusted and the park was left to flourish during spring. Mowing does not take place from August to December, and a fence has been erected to protect the biodiversity area.
. Panorama, Valmary Park in Durbanville. The indigenous Beetle Lily (Baeometra uniflora), is part of the bulbs and shrubs found in this public open space. Remnants of the critically endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld are found at this site and numerous bulbs and flowers appear from August to October when mowing does not take place. . Rondebosch East Common Conservation Area The Rondebosch East Common Conservation Area is a popular recreational space for various users from nature lovers and runners to dog walkers. It is also one of the most important conservation areas for wildlife and biodiversity within Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs. Residents are also encouraged to be actively involved and submit motivations for areas where the City should suspend grass cutting for nature conservation. Send email to Enquiries@capetown.gov.za.