Dear Friends of Kloofendal

(i) FroK AGM on Saturday 27th August 2011
The FroK AGM was well attended, thank you to the people who attended and those unable to attend for sending their apologies.
Our FroK committee has had an exceptionally traumatic year with the loss of three committee chairpersons under difficult circumstances. One resigned because he felt that he could not develop a positive modus operandi with Johannesburg City Parks. Two left after they did not support our vision and the committee as a whole. Despite all this, FroK has been active in many ways in support of the Kloofendal Nature Reserve.
We are delighted that our new committee is enriched by the return of Roland Cundill and Steven Venter, and three new members: Raeesah Chandlay, Sheryl Fox and Anthea van der Zel.
We look forward to a good and productive year together with JCP’s support.

(ii) Forthcoming events
Attached is a list full of old (familiar) and new events, old and new guides, all events which we hope you will enjoy! Spring has sprung in its full glory.

(iii) Call for FGASA guides
FroK would like to encourage more school groups, scouts, cubs, nature interest groups, hiking clubs to come on quality guided nature walks in Kloofendal. In order to offer more guided walks, we need more FGASA-qualified guides, so please, any FGASA guides willing to guide in Kloofendal, do contact me? We will provide training to familiarise the guide with our environmental educational programme and with the reserve.

(iv) Call for gold mining historical guides.
Shirley Harrison, our “family” gold mining guide and Rod Kruger, our “adult” gold mining guide both need understudies, as again, we are aiming to increase the number of mining walks offering these historical/ cultural walks to schools and various interest groups. Please contact me if you are interested to become a “Kloofendal historical guide”?

(v) FroK Nature Treasure Hunt
This FroK initiative is used for corporate team building and for big school and scout groups.
The FroK Nature Treasure Hunt brings people, young and old, into the reserve where in small teams they read their route on a map of the reserve; they answer questions on various natural things on the route, which creates awareness of what all happens in a natural environment (Ecology). Working in teams builds up a healthy team spirit.
The biggest school group managed by the FroK Environmental Education team so far was Eldocrest Primary School with 167 learners on Thursday 1st September – please see the article in Caxton’s Looklocal web site.

(vi) One year part-time, environmentalist/ nature guide course in Kloofendal during the day, starting in January 2012.
For information and bookings, please contact Sakkie van Aswegen (owner of Bushveld Training Adventures) at cell 082-337-1355

(vii) Sightings
We have seen mountain reedbuck at various times recently in the reserve and it was really lovely to notice the buck’s lack of stress in our presence. They were aware of us being there, and after looking at us briefly, they simply carried on grazing, tail down – they usually lift up their tail when running away.
We also saw two common duikers in the forest. They moved away quietly but unhurriedly.
Unfortunately we are still seeing dog droppings, so a dog trap would be very welcome if anybody happens to be able to get one for us?

(viii) Non-FroK events at Kloofendal
On this coming Sunday, 11th September, Bok with Pluck will be showing the Springbok-Wales WRC match live. Jacaranda FM brings Classis Pops on Saturday evening, 22 October.” Please enjoy either event and let us know your opinion on how well they fit in with the Reserve itself. The Reserve should still be open for walks, but it will not be peaceful as normal.
See you in Kloofendal some time, may be soon?

Kind regards,
Karin Spottiswoode
on behalf of FroK
Tel 011-674-2980, FroK cell 079-693-5608

Visit the Confidence Reef Goldmine, first goldmine on the Witwatersrand, situated in Kloofendal Nature Reserve. Learn about the gold mining history, see the first stamp mill used for crushing gold bearing rock, try some gold panning –apparently there is still some gold!

Guide: Rod Kruger.

Bird ringing with Grant Egen will be Saturday 30^th July at 07h00

Fee for FroK guided walks is: Adults R40, children R20. FroK member adults:R30

Please book with me at cell 079-693-5608 or tel 011-674-2980?

Thanks, kind regards,