The Hartebeestfontein Fire Protection Association (FPA) was registered by the Minister under the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, with the purpose to advise all landowners and to enforce the National Veld and Forest Act in the area.

In terms of the National Veld and Forest Act (no 101 of 1998), notice is hereby given that a cut-off date of 15 June 2012 has been set for burning firebreaks, natural veld or pastures within the boundaries of Hartebeestfontein 472JQ, Hartebeestfontein 473JQ, Fouriesrus 474JQ and Quinlands 582JQ for the 2012 winter season.

Winter is approaching rapidly, which means that much has to be done. Unfortunately, this wonderfully snug season brings with it frost, a major increase in dust and therefore sinusitis, colds, flu and also...veld fires. So, plan in advance: prepare to protect sensitive plants, get your flu injection and sufficient anti-histamines to win a war, and put measures in place to combat veld fires (see article on veld fires below).

Dog care: Conservancy members, Louis and Elsabé Steyn recently found a lost dog and still has it in their care. In spite of an SMS sent to members, nobody has enquired about this beautiful dog yet. We would like to request members to take care of/control their dogs in such a way that they don’t stray. Also pay attention to your employees’ dogs, as they often don’t care for their dogs properly. It does happen that dogs get out of control and then get lost. In such cases, members should please contact us (Deon, 082 856 3183). We will then send an SMS to all members, requesting them to be on the lookout for such animals.

Note to remember: Comments on all our articles are most welcome. Members are also most welcome to send us photos and interesting information. (Editor, 014 576 2351 or 082 880 9297 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Faxes can also be sent to  086 720 4210.

We have often reported about crime in our area in past newsletters. Hartebeestfontein does not have serious crime such as in other areas of Gauteng. Except for a few serious crime cases during last year, we have had our share of burglaries, theft and stock theft.

Does this lament sound familiar to you?  Strangers to dirt roads tend to hog the middle of the road and show little consideration for pedestians and other road users.

Eucalyptus

More than 200 Eucalyptus (blue gum) species have been cultivated in South Africa, and only seven species are listed as invaders. Blue gums are of huge benefit to South Africa for their high quality timber and shelter for mainly owls and raptors, who nest in these trees. People should learn to identify blue gums and not to cut them down regardless, as is presently happening countrywide. In the SAPIA news (issue no 12) there is a detailed guide by Lesley Henderson of the Agricultural Research Council Weeds Division,  to the "Identification of Invasive Eucalyptus species". For further information: www.arc.agric.za - Search-type SAPIA for Newsletters. (GC&SA Ear to the Ground Newsletter, no 33, March/April 2012).

Climate change

Climate change affects men, women, boys and girls differently because of inequalities between them caused by gender-based roles in society, and the resulting levels of vulnerability.

"The predictions from scientists show that Africa will face serious challenges given the expected climate change impacts. Temperatures are expected to increase across the continent, which will lead to increased plant stress and risks of drought. Rainfall is expected to decline significantly in southern Africa, and the North Africa region, including the Sahara desert. East Africa is expected to become wetter, with rain falling in more intense storms, causing greater risks of flooding. The models show mixed results for what is likely to happen to West Africa's rainfall. These shifts in rainfall will bring major impacts on the ground in terms of crop yields, water availability, disease incidence and flood damage". (Toulmin, 2009:31).

Energy access

Approximately 25% of the world's population, or some 1.6 billion people, lack access to electricity and 40%, or 2.4 billion, rely on biomass to serve their energy needs for cooking and heating. (United Nations Environment and Energy Development Programme: Energy for people-centred Sustainable Development, 2012).

Scorpions

The venom of most scorpion species is about the same as that of a bee sting. However, the venom of the South African Parabuthus species, measuring 150mm or more (tail included), can be fatal to dogs, children and the elderly. The best indication of how poisonous a scorpion is, is the size of its tail and pinchers. The larger the tail, the more poisonous, and the Parabuthus species have tails that are twice as fat as their pinchers. The harmless species have it the other way round: The pinchers are twice as large as the tail. The bigger, the more dangerous, as it all depends on the amount of venom. Scorpions will sting more than once, in quick succession, like wasps. (Erik Holm, Veldvertroud, Landbouweekblad, 6 April 2012). For more information: Erik Holm & Ansie Dippenaar Gogga Guide, Lapa Publishers, 2010, or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tortoises for Chinese cooking

Not only South African rhinoceros fall victim to Chinese whims. Karoo tortoises, mainly rooipens and ploegskaar tortoises) are now being poached by Chinese workers. Poaching is clearly not restricted to smaller animals. We might become more successful at stopping rhino poaching, only to realise later that we don't have any small animals left. According to dr Ernst Baard, CapeNature's senior manager of scientific services, the biggest threat to our ecosystems remains unlawful possession and transport of our biodiversity. Tortoises have always been part of the diet of indigenous groups. Workers from the Bredasdorp and Beaufort West environment are asked by Chinese inhabitants to collect tortoises, and are being paid between R50 and R100 per tortoise. Worldwide, 42 tortoise species are under threat, and numbers are declining rapidly. The same goes for South Africa. Because we have such special species of tortoises, it is of utmost importance that we do everything in our power to ensure healthy tortoise populations of all species. South Africa has 12 tortoise species and is considered to have the largest number of these tortoises in terms of the size of the country. (Leandi Claassen, Rapport, 1 April 2012). For more information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Positive comments about our previous newsletter: Your last newsletter was a pleasure and quite an achievement. The balance between diverse interests and opinions is excellent. With this type of reporting your readership extends much wider than the geographical area of the Conservancy (received via e-mail from Ivan Lätti on 7 February 2012).

Note to remember: Comments on all our articles are most welcome. Members are also most welcome to send us photos and interesting information to post on the web site (Editor, 014 576 2351 or 082 880 9297 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Faxes can also be sent to the fax no in the letterhead or alternatively to 086 720 4210.

Pre-season Fire Protection Association General Meeting

A General Meeting of the Hartebeestfontein Fire Protection Association will be held on 24 March 2012, at 11:00. Among others, preparation for the coming fire season, management of veld fires and non-compliance with Veld and Forest legislation on non-FPA members' properties within the Hartebeestfontein Conservancy borders will be discussed. All landowners and Conservancy members who are not members of the Fire Protection Association (FPA) are most welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Deon Greyling on 082 856 3183 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This year has flown like never before. It is our last newsletter for 2011.

It is very difficult to get rid of this invasive alien (Campuloclinium macrocephalum). This season, the spread of the so-called pink peril showed an increase in our natural veld. Maybe we should re-name it "Pink Delilah!"

April's bird of the month is the Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii).

Colouring: Iris red-brown; bill yellow-green to greenish grey, tip dusky; legs and feet greenish grey. Head crested; back, tail and broad breast-band black, spotted and scalloped with white; head and face yellow, scaled with red; crest and nape black; rump red; belly yellow, broadly streaked red.

Voice: Sustained penetrating unmusical trill, lasting up to 30 seconds; sounds like an alarm clock with its bell removed.

Habitat: Thornveld, thickets in woodland, riverine bushveld, exotic plantations, parks, gardens.

Distribution: Natal, Free State, Gauteng, Northern Cape, Botswana, Caprivi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique to Angola, Zaire and Tanzania.

Habits: Usually solitary or in pairs, vocal throughout the year, especially in early summer. May roost in disused nests, unusually in own nest hole. Tame - comes to feeding trays and nestboxes in gardens. Forages in bushes and trees and hops around on ground.

Food: Insects (especially termites), worms, fruit, snails, birds' eggs.

Breeding season: All months, but especially August to February. May rear up to four broods per season.

Incubation and fledging: Clutch: usually three white eggs. Incubation: 17 days. Nestling: 27-30 days.

References: Gordon Lindsay Maclean: Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa, Sixth Edition. 1993.

Kenneth Newman: Newman's Birds by Colour. 2000.