The City of Cape Town is divided into Wards, and each Ward has a Ward Committee composed of up to ten members representing "residents of the ward and the ward’s interest groups" in different "approved sectors", one of which is for the environment. In six of
the City of Cape Town’s southern suburbs Ward Committees there are very few environment groups represented. Apart from a few "friends” groups championing the cause of their area, like
Princess Vlei, Meadowridge Common and Rondebosch Common, there are no strong groups like WESSA or the Botanical Society involved and I wonder why. Are they involved at a higher level? The rules for participation on the Ward Committee in the environment sector states that it can include "branches of a city-wide or national organisation where the focus is within the community". I know that theoretically the Ward Committee Member's input is merely advisory, but it
doesn't bode well for Cape Flats Sand Fynbos conservation that in Ward 59 (Iverson’s) the only
“environment” slot is filled by the Cape Town Treekeepers Association* and for
Ward 71 (East’s) it is filled by the pine-tree loving Parkscape.
*On their website (http://treekeeperscapetown.org.za/about/) they state that: “Eucalyptus (or gum) trees have immense benefit to the city and specifically the Cape Flats as they are hardy and able to handle the high water table in winter, are excellent for coppicing and using harvested wood for fire wood and building and they form windbreaks and shade that far surpasses any other form of local or exotic tree."
*On their website (http://treekeeperscapetown.org.za/about/) they state that: “Eucalyptus (or gum) trees have immense benefit to the city and specifically the Cape Flats as they are hardy and able to handle the high water table in winter, are excellent for coppicing and using harvested wood for fire wood and building and they form windbreaks and shade that far surpasses any other form of local or exotic tree."
