It is a chilly Saturday morning on the foothills of the Simonberg Mountains. Autumn is in the air, but it is a beautiful morning with spectacular views over the Cape Winelands, with Table Mountain in the distance. The sun gradually rises from behind the Simonsberg.
While the world still rests, a group of diligent volunteers are scrambling through the lush fynbos in search of the enemy – alien vegetation.
They are armed with handsaws, secateurs, long-handled shears and more.
The setting is the historic wine farm Delheim Wine Estate. This estate is leading the way in protecting the environment with the help of a group of volunteers called the Delheim Hackers, who are dedicated to preserving our precious natural resources and biodiversity.
Located within the Cape Floral Kingdom in Stellenbosch, Delheim’s land is home to the endangered Boland Granite Fynbos and over 125 types of native plants, as well as unique wildlife like the Cape Sugarbird.
This biodiversity is at risk as a result of invasive alien plants that grow quickly, take over natural habitats and use a lot of water, which can lead to an increased danger of wildfires.
To protect the land, Delheim has been working hard to remove these harmful plants and restore the area to its natural state. This includes getting rid of plants like Black Wattle and pine trees, which were cleared especially after a fire in 2016.
Delheim has a detailed plan to manage these invasive plants, focusing on important areas like forests and wetlands to keep the water flowing freely.
The Delheim Hackers started in August 2020 and meet every second Saturday to remove these invasive plants by hand. This helps to bring back the natural vegetation and keep the water clean. Delheim also gets help from government for tools.
Nora Thiel, who co-owns Delheim Wines, says the volunteers show how much they care about the environment and working with the community. “Their work has already made a big difference in restoring the natural landscape.”
You will find the hackers along the slopes of the Simonsberg every two weeks. Once alien vegetation has been removed, it is vital that follow-up work be done regularly to keep these pests at bay.
Delheim invites anyone who cares about the environment to join the Delheim Hackers. It’s a chance to make a real impact on preserving our natural beauty for future generations. Plus, there’s coffee and muffins.
V If you’re interested in helping out or want to learn more, you can get in touch with Delheim hospitality@delheim.com
