MARLOTH PARK HONARARY RANGERS
Minutes of meeting 23 July 2015
Item |
Agenda |
person responsible |
1 Welcome |
The meeting was opened in prayer. |
Peter |
2 Present |
Derrick,Oubaas, Linda, Lynette, Pieter,Dev, Errol , Peter J, Andrew, Genie,Joce, John Webb, Graeme, Denise, Penelope, Frik, Anri, Mike,Yula, Jim, Nellie, Abel, John Webber, Jenny, |
|
3 Apologies |
Johan Veldsman(Tom and Anna -Marie) |
|
4New Members |
Tom and Anna-Marie Esterhuizen were to have been accepted as new members, but were indisposed. Abel Coetzee attended the meeting for the first time and expressed his desire to assist with Bee Hive removal. Retiring Member: Andre Engelbrecht has retired from the Honorary Rangers. It was decided that he should be made an honorary life member of the Honorary Rangers to show appreciation for the work he had done. |
John Webber |
5 Points raised |
A lame zebra had been observed. This was reported to the Municipal rangers who would monitor to see if it recovered. Had there been more culling of warthog? The municipality was planning a game count prior to further culling of Warthog. The bush was opening up. |
Dev
Peter Joce |
6 Winter fair |
The winter fair had kept the rangers busy for the whole month so there had been no other activities. A very big thanks to ALL the rangers who worked VERY hard to make this fair the huge success it was. It was one of the best. Profits ------2014--- R33 356,64 ------2015 R53 039,92 Gross income ------2015 R84 776,50 In planning for 2016, look at the profits from each stall. Gate R11700+ Cool Drinks R3000 Food R7000 Genie R5000 Anri R1200 Komati Spar donation R5000 Auction: larger items are needed but getting donations is difficult. There was an error in the printing expenses for the fair as the municipal sign refurbishment had been included. But this has been rectified.
An estimated 2000 people went through the gate. Stall holders. Mampoer stall had not done as well as he had hoped. Knife stall. He had sold a knife for R750 to a 10 year old boy after the father had disallowed his son from doing this. However, the father retuned the knife and was refunded his money.
Alta from Pam Golding had given R550 as donation from the profits she made in her sale of chili sauce. The children selling cupcakes had donated their profits. Otherwise all the stall holders were happy with their stalls. There was no parking for disabled people; this will be rectified next year. The Honorary Ranger display did not draw enough attention. It should be placed alongside the activity boma. Any items of interest would be appreciated and could be given to Joce. It would not be necessary to man this as the information is self-explanatory. Stuart made a 3 panel display board for HR. There will be a “Get -together “at the river at 3:30 0n Friday for a fair review. |
John Webber
Nellie
Dev
Nellie
John Webber |
|
Century 21 has taken down their board at gate 2. They have protested that other new agencies are displaying boards along Olifants Rd. The display board at the Municipality reception needs to be spruced up. |
Joce will do this. |
8 NIG meeting |
NIG(Nkomazi Interest Group) meeting for July. Focus on Rhino poaching update. This will take place this afternoon at Berg-en- Dal in KNP. |
Attended by Derrick Stuart John |
9 Forum meeting |
Review Ralf Kalwa report. He will update the residential footprint which is now out of date with the 2006 Ben Orbanreport. It is difficult to close the waterholes as most homes have one. i---Remove animals as this will improve the bush, When rehabilitated new herds will be introduced. ii--- Remove Sickle-Bush. Bush encroachment must be tackled. The next step will be to present this report to the Municipality. As the repot was commissioned by MMPAO, they will be driving it.KNP closed many waterholes. This lead to a reduction from 8% to 4% in thecalving rate in elephants. There are many challenges in implementing the report. Game reduction as at 22 July. Proposed Taken giraffe 20 0 kudu 30 16 zebra 25 29 warthog 150 210 wildebeest 25 25 impala 550 380 The management of the game capture has been disastrous.
|
Rangers & Conservancy & MMPOA
John |
10 Animal mortalities |
Mortalities have not been received from Winnie as these are not available from Vally. |
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11 Ranger Activities |
Work parties for bush encroachment have been postponed due to the fair. This activity will focus on removal of sickle-bush in Marloth Park. Grass seeds should be planted and protected with sickle-bush. Both Rangers and Conservancy will sell seeds. The correct combination will be secured from Pretoria. |
Joce |
12 Alien Plant Brochure |
Work is in progress. Money is now available |
Joce |
13 Flora |
5 teams of WFW are in Marloth and Lionspruit. Basil checked yesterday. One team did not have a complete 1st Aid box so work was suspended. They remove Queen- of- the- knight, chop it in pieces and throw it in the road. Prickly Pear is sprayed and Lantana is chopped off and the stump sprayed. |
|
14 Lionspruit |
June report. The lions are well. The female is still playful although she has scars. Are they still dumping intestines from Morrisdale? |
Joce John to inquire. |
15Website/ Face book |
The minutes are available on the website. While John Web was away there was a lull in Facebook. Questions were posed but these should be referred to the assigned ranger to give an “expert” answer. Then it is not a personal opinion |
Andrew |
16 Bush Talks |
These will be suspended as Andre Engelbrecht is no longer available. |
|
17 Bird walk |
1 August. 70 birds were seen on the last walk. |
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18 Rates insert |
This did not go out last month. “Managing your stand” will be included in August as this is appropriate timing |
Joce |
19 Snake Removal |
None. A call was received but not responded to. |
John Webb |
20Fire fighting |
Last week the team tested the hydrants. Jim’s sector was all well. In Errol’s sector none were working, Sam to check this as they are rusted. The working ones will be marked on the map so that the fire fighters will be able to reach them quickly. |
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21 Finances |
Previous balance R 16 686 fair R 53 039 Balance R 69 735 |
Nellie |
22 General |
News on vulture poisoning. Onderstepoort has not yet responded. There is nothing forthcoming from Andre Botha as there appears to be some irregularities. An HR needs to be appointed to deal with the public. This will be discussed at the Committee meeting. Bird course should be ready for September. There was an offer of grass from a Highveld farmer but was rejected because it contains alien plants and the grass is of poor quality—thatching grass. Honey Bees. A request was made to bring bee hives into the park. He is registered with the SA bee Keeping Association. Graeme is going on an extended holiday. Have a great time |
Derrick
Joce Genie
John Webber. Abel Coetzee. |
Next meeting |
27 August Conservancy 10 August |
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Chairperson: John Webber Minutes prepared by Yula Bezuidenhout