MAGICAL MELVILLE KOPPIES
Feeling stressed? Need to unwind? Head to the Melville Koppies and explore Joburg’s beautiful green lung.
Part of the endangered Highveld Grassland biome, Melville Koppies is a protected nature reserve with a mosaic of indigenous forests, 3-billion-year-old rocky ridges and fields of undulating grasslands. Rising high above the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg, the koppies are a haven for hiking, education, research – and of course, de-stressing.
We chatted with Wendy Carstens, the chairman of the Melville Koppies Management Committee, about how she got involved, the behind-the-scenes team and how visitors can best explore this tranquil spot.
I love every corner of the Koppies! Every season has its special treats. Spring has tiny jewel-like flowers dotting the grasslands. Summer is a green bonanza. Autumn is best for enjoying the striking flower heads of the many grass species. In winter, rocks and tree forms predominate. There is also a perennial spruit bubbling through the Koppies.
In fact, every day at the Melville Koppies seems to have its highlights – from the rewards of the veld to meeting interesting people.
It was after I took early retirement from teaching that I discovered Melville Koppies. It fills my enjoyment for teaching – I first started by helping with conservation and then just got more and more involved.
We have three full-time salaried conservation workers and one part-time worker with 20 years’ service – they are knowledgeable, committed, hard-working and love Melville Koppies. Tam Scheidegger also helps with conservation.
The volunteer management committee of local residents is elected annually at an AGM. Each member contributes according to his/ her speciality. I have been chairman since 2001. A volunteer guiding team helps every Sunday morning at the open sessions from 8am to 11.30am and with school, university and other booked groups during the week.
Conservation is a never-ending challenge for us as seeds of alien invasive vegetation are blown in or dropped by birds. It’s also tough keeping a volunteer guiding team and training new guides, as well as covering our fixed R22 000 expenses every month. All funds are from volunteer contributions in some form.
The best way for first-timers to explore the area?
On a guided tour, they’ll learn about some of the flora, fauna, Geology, Archaeology and History. The Koppies will be so much more meaningful after a tour. Then on subsequent visits they can do the 5km hiking trail, or just explore the many paths that traverse scenic spots. It is a fun relaxed outing for families. The donation for guided tours and hikes is R80pp and R40 per child which goes towards maintenance of the Koppies.
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