The expansion is thanks to a partnership between the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa, who, through a generous donation, took ownership of the Vissersdrift property for incorporation into the Western Cape park last year.The vlei gets its name from the Dutch ship, Zoetendaal, which was wrecked in 1673 en route from Jakarta.They were so grateful that they named it after their ship.
Dziba added that the acquisition would also protect inland salt pans, many of which were under threat from urban development, mining and agriculture. "Part of the Vissersdrift property supports pockets of milkwood forests around the vlei, which once offered shelter to the first inhabitants of this area. South of this property lies the Denhami property that was recently acquired by the National Parks Trust, which is also to be included as part of the core of the park.
SANParks will now begin planning and implementing veld and wetland rehabilitation, as well as look at fences, access control and other uses on land.In the conservation world… it's important that we take a moment to celebrate our successes – and the acquisition of this critically important wetland area for incorporation into Africa's southern-most national park is one such milestone.
The wetlands next to Hartbeespoort dam have been so much contaminated by raw sewage dont think there are hope for them anymore....