How Rotary Helped Clear 3,000 Hectares of Alien Plants in the Cape Floral Kingdom

Protecting Our Natural Heritage – A Powerful Close to the Alien Clearing Project

Above: Ralph Roseman with presenters Maya Naumann and Sandy van Hoogstraton, who together successfully secured an RF Global Grant to clear alien vegetation on Devil’s Peak.

We were privileged to host Sandy van Hoogstraten and Maya Naumann, who delivered an inspiring presentation on the vital work being done by their Trust to protect and restore the unique biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom, home to our precious fynbos and Afromontane forests.

Their presentation marked the conclusion of the Global Grant project, and served as both a report-back and a heartfelt thank you to the Rotary Club of Waterfront. With passion and professionalism—remarkably, both are working pro bono—they outlined how the Trust has already cleared 3,000 of the 12,000 hectares of Table Mountain National Park from invasive alien vegetation. In the process, they’ve created full-time employment for 63 workers—no small achievement in a country grappling with high unemployment.

They also shared the broader context: left unchecked, alien vegetation poses a serious fire risk and consumes significantly more water than our indigenous plants—water we simply cannot afford to lose. By restoring these ecosystems, we’re not only preserving the rich biodiversity of our World Heritage Site, but also safeguarding future generations’ access to clean water and healthy environments.

The Trust’s model, now comprising 12 dedicated teams, is scalable and ready for expansion—a beacon of hope in the face of growing environmental threats. Already, Signal Hill and Lion’s Head have been successfully cleared, and there is a clear roadmap for scaling this work across the region.

Sandy and Maya expressed deep appreciation for Rotary’s support, specifically acknowledging the funding provided for one full-time team for a year. Our role in enabling this success was clearly recognised and sincerely valued.

Michael Goldman thanked our speakers for their tireless work and compelling presentation—and to Ralph for his succinct summary and coordination. This is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when communities, conservationists, and Rotary come together with purpose.