MABALINGWE COMMON PROPERTY

ASSOCIATION (MCPA)

AUTUMN NEWSLETTER APRIL 2018

Editor’s Note

·

News from the MCPA

·

Getting to Know

Pieter Hattingh

·

Reserve News

·

Veld Monitoring

·

Getting all Fired Up

·

Security

·

Things to do on Mabalingwe

·

Barn Owl Relocation

Weather

Brain Strain Quiz

·

Important Contact Numbers

MABALINGWE NATURE RESERVE

R516 Rooiberg / Thabazimbi Road, Bela Bela, 0480 Tel: 014 736 3665 / 014 001 7240 | E: matie@wbpm.co.za

Editor’s Note

It is inevitable that here on Mabalingwe we start to see a sunny season of chilly early

mornings, warm middays, dry afternoons and cool to cold nights from April each year –

summer has passed and we are firmly into the autumn months with the turning of the leaves

and grasses. The late rains have brought dam levels back up and we look forward to a

winter of sufficient resources for the game.

The change of seasons does nothing to hamper the work being done on the Greater

Mabalingwe – the financial management, security, rendering of services and overall reserve

management across the farm is an on-going task for those involved.

Mabalingwe as a whole had a successful Christmas Holiday season, while Easter was, as

always, a busy time for both Timeshare and the body corporates. Security incidents have

been dramatically reduced and in many areas eliminated with no reported crime in some

body corporates for an extended period of time. Our thanks and appreciation to the

security team who spend long hours in the bush and out on patrol – a task that’s much more

pleasant on summer nights than during the cold winter months!

The MCPA is tackling a number of long-term projects such as building capacity to handle

recycling more effectively, constant upgrades of security systems and procedures and the

introduction of a standardised approach to signage throughout the Greater Mabalingwe.

Owners may have noticed the new signs along the main entrance road of rock “bollards”

sporting brown and yellow signs – the implementation of these signs throughout the farm will

take time due to budget restrictions, but we hope to see all body corporates and common

areas adopting the new signs within a couple of years. At a meeting of the body corporate

chairs, it was agreed that all roads be given names to make traversing much easier – a

number of BC’s are enthusiastically debating names!

The work goes on just as the seasons march on – enjoy these cooler months on the farm

before the real cold of winter sets in.

Kind regards,

Sandy Morton

NEWS FROM THE MCPA

The processes and procedures implemented by the MCPA management team are slowly

but surely bearing fruit. A dramatic turnabout in the financial position for the year end

December 2017 was reported at the recent board meeting with the financial statements to

be released and distributed soon. In similar fashion we are proud to report an impeccable

security record for the year (see full report later in the newsletter).

With winter approaching the fire protection teams are hard at work with preventative

cutting and burning to be able to manage veld fires in the dangerous late winter period. In

the meantime the reserve management team is attending to bush clearing and getting all

the roads back in shape where the summer rains may have caused erosion or damage.

Increase in electricity and water tariffs:

As per the norm the MCPA raises the electricity prices in tune with Eskom on the 1st of April

each year. For the forthcoming year the increase will be exactly in line with the Eskom

increase which was determined by the following:

NERSA approved increase of Eskom tariffs -

On 28 February 2018 the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)

granted Eskom a 5.23% tariff increase for 2018/19 — this follows a 9.4% increase

in 2016/17 and 2.2% increase in 2017/18.

VAT increase to 15%

As announced by the Minister of Finance during the budget speech, value-

added tax (VAT) will be raised by one percentage point from 14% to 15%

effective 1 April 2018. With the MCPA being a VAT vendor, it is obliged to include

said increase – the tariffs will thus reflect both the NERSA and VAT increases.

The net result will be an increase in the cost of electricity in the order of 6,14%.

The MCPA decided not to raise the tariff of water for the coming year as the income derived

from water exceeded the expenses in the past year. The tariff for water thus remaining

a structure whereby the tariff increases incrementally as the consumption increases starting

at R 8,10 per kl for the first 10kl per month, rising to R12,10 per kl for water consumed

above11kl and up to 20kl/month and then reaching a tariff of R28,50 for consumption above

100kl/month.

Jan Zeederberg MCPA Chair

GETTING TO KNOW PIETER HATTINGH

Pieter is literally the light in everyone’s life.

Pieter Johannes Hattingh was born on 20 November 1992 in Modimolle. He grew up on a

farm close to Settlers, making him a born and bred farm boy from the Springbok vlakte.

He finished his primary education at Tuinplaas Primary and matriculated at Hans Strydom in

2010.

He started at Mabalingwe as a temporary worker in 2011 while studying through Soltec as an

electrician. After acquiring his trade certificate in 2014, Pieter was permanently employed by

the MCPA and is currently our maintenance manager in charge of Water and Electricity. He

is also one of our fire captains and is always in the forefront of fighting fires.

He describes himself as an adventurous farm boy that loves hunting and being in the veld

with his cattle. He is also a serious Blue Bull supporter!

Pieter feels that the combination of living in the bush and being able to practice his trade at

the same time is the main reason why he loves what he does.

Day or night, Pieter is always happy to assist with a smile.

RESERVE NEWS

Late April means we are heading for winter – it’s somewhat surprising and unusual to have so much

rain this late in the season. Not that we are complaining about any of it! All dams are full or quickly

filling to capacity and we expect them to see out the winter with some to spare for Spring. For the

past three or four years we have seen most of our rainfall in February to April, which is later than in

previous years.

The rain has left us with an abundance of grass, and coupled with the low game numbers, it has

resulted in a dramatic improvement in the veld condition and carrying capacity. Most notably is the

abundance of White Buffalo grass (Panicum maximum) which is by far the best type of grass to have

on the property and is indicative of healthier veld conditions. All grasses are in flower and for those

interested in the subject; it is a pleasure to do some grass identification. With the good comes the

bad unfortunately, and we have seen an upsurge in problem plants such as Lantana (Lantana

camara) which is poisonous if eaten by the game. The fight to contain and eradicate invasive and

problem plants continues throughout the year.

The rains have also affected the roads. To date this year, we have put a lot of time and effort into

improving the road surfaces and the roads’ ability to deal with the water run-off during heavy

downpours. We are planning on doing work in the Gorcum area before winter. Please take time to

visit the newly re-constructed little dam in Mabalingwe 2, named Kingfisher Dam - for a great game

viewing and birdwatching experience.

When visiting Rhino Waterhole visitors will notice that the dam is more than 110% full, so please take

care when driving close to the water’s edge as there is a risk of getting mired in the mud.

This time of the year means the start of the preparations for the fire season and we appreciate the

help of the Working on Fire teams in assisting us in clearing firebreaks. All areas that were burnt in 2017

have shown vast improvement in plant populations and this bodes well for grazing and browsing

capacity in the immediate future. We will continue with this practice in 2018 and updates on which

areas will be burnt this season will be forthcoming.

Frik Steyn Reserve Manager

VELD MONITORING

As part of the Elephant Management plan and for the overall health of the game, the game owners

monitor both the condition of the trees and the veld.

“Tree monitoring, together with veld-condition / grass monitoring, is a crucial action required to inform and guide the management of the natural resources of the land. Management actions need to be evaluated for effectiveness and the achievement of goals and objectives. On a nature reserve the objectives and goals are usually related to optimal production of food sources for game to enable game to thrive in healthy and productive state and this is only possible when the veld is in an ecologically sound condition and the tree layer does not compete with the grass layer excessively. If not, it needs to be managed towards such a state, and if management actions are causing the veld to deteriorate or the woody (tree) layer to encroach, management needs to be informed of such a trend. Veld, managed at or towards sound ecological health, produces higher loads of good quality grazing and browsing, needed to support

healthy, productive populations of game.” - GJ de Klerk

Trees

In the 2016-2017 summer season, specified areas in the southern section of the Reserve were studied,

while the northern section will be under review in the 2017-2018 summer season. Whilst the report is

very technical, a synopsis of the results of the areas studied:

The carrying capacity of the southern plains units is 321 browsing units or 8.6 BU/100ha.

The average tree density over the five units is 2 243 trees/ha.

The average mass of leaves borne up to 1.5 m is 248 kg/ha.

The average mass of leaves borne up to 2 m is 335 kg/ha.

The average mass of leaves borne up to 5 m is 782 kg/ha.

Veld

Grass monitoring plots (also called sampling sites or vegetation condition assessment or VCA sites)

representing the vegetation of Mabalingwe was placed at 40 sites. Each of these sites was marked

with a GPS.

The 2017 surveys were conducted at 16 of the plots. During 2018 another 24 sites will be surveyed. By

alternating plots between consecutive years, double the amount of sites can be monitored on a

regular basis. The intention is further to also place plots in areas identified as important from a

management perspective, such as at watering points, no-burning zones, selectively over-grazed

areas and areas of accidental fires.

Both the species composition and biomass production of the grazing of Mabalingwe were measured

in representative plots located throughout the reserve. It was determined that, on average, the veld

condition of Mabalingwe was good although the grass biomass production was slightly low.

Anyone wishing to read the detailed reports, should email Hannes Wessels at

hannes@boschpoort.co.za

GETTING ALL FIRED UP

With the winter fast approaching and the grass standing tall, the MCPA is preparing for the

fire season ahead. The MCPA is responsible for the firefighting operations on Mabalingwe

and have a dedicated team of fire firefighters which are well trained in wildland firefighting.

Safety is our main concern in any fire. Fires can change behaviour rapidly and unexpectedly

and tragedy can happen in a blink of an eye as we saw with the Knysna and Cape fires.

Internally on Mabalingwe, we have experienced fires in the last couple of years: the

Ingwe/Itaga fire, the Vodacom Hill fire, Idwala fire to name a few, but we have also been

threatened by large scale fires from neighbouring areas.

The rule of the team... “attack from the black”. The black is the area that has already burnt

and acts as a safe zone for the team should the behaviour of the fire change. The team

leaders are always alert to changes and will act accordingly. We also have escape routes in

place to ensure our safety and an evacuation plan for guests and owners should the need

arise.

Many people don’t always realise what the dangers are or the dangers we face on the fire

line. Although we wear protective clothing, the danger is real. Smoke inhalation, watery

eyes, dehydration and heat exhaustion to name a few, but it is all part of the job at hand.

Remember the following during a fire:

Listen to the Incident Commander, Fire Co-Ordinator and Fire Crew leaders. Please obey

their instructions for your own safety.

Always be prepared to evacuate your home. Only take what is necessary. A home and

its contents can be replaced, a life cannot.

We know you are concerned and wish to know what is going on, but please don’t phone

our control room to check on the status of the fire as they are used as a liaison point. The

Incident Commander will communicate with the body corporates chairs on a regular

basis from where the message can be relayed.

Don’t drive, walk or cycle in the area where fire is being fought.

Don’t cause panic through social media.

Should you wish to contribute during a fire, a bottle filled with water is a welcome sight for a

hot and tired fire fighter. Bottled water can be dropped off at our control room from where

it will be dispatched to the fire line.

Spare a thought next time you see these guys on the fire line when there is a fire at

Mabalingwe. They are fighting to save this beautiful place we live in.

Ashley Theron

SECURITY

Four months into the New Year and we are proud to report that 2018 for MCPA-members has

been security-incident free – to date! The security team is doing is best to keep it in similar

vein for the rest of the year.

As Security we would like to emphasize a few points of concern:

Please make use of the pre-authorisation of guests on the website to register anyone

visiting your house - this helps us to welcome your guest in a professional and timely way;

Please have your driver’s license handy when entering or exiting Mabalingwe as it will be

scanned as part of our standard security procedures;

Ensure that, when your house is rented out by an agent, that Security be notified. We are

currently investigating a case of a home owner’s house being rented out, without his

knowledge or consent;

Please report any incidents immediately – where investigations are required, the process

is far less effective if only advised days or even weeks after the event.

For those that have not installed a house alarm system of sorts, please consider doing so as it

greatly assists the security in the greater area. Whilst the Videofied system is preferred,

whereby false alarms are eliminated as a video clip is transmitted with an alarm, more

elementary and less expensive systems can also be considered – a quote can be obtained

through the MCPA offices.

Louis Roux Security Manager

THINGS TO DO ON MABALINGWE

If you’re looking to do something different when next on the farm, here are some ideas…

The Timeshare Restaurant is now fully staffed with professional chefs and offers memorable

meals. There’s something so special about sitting and overlooking the dam at the bar while

relaxing and sipping on cocktails. Of course, Kalahari Oasis is the ideal fun place to take

some unique photos and grab a drink to quench your thirst. At Timeshare Reception you

can also book a number of activities, including game drives.

Homeowners get a 20% discount on any game activity booked at the Caravan Park

reception near the main gate (take along your membership card when making the

booking).

In the Caravan Park itself, there is a shop, liquor store, R&R tikkie bar and a small take-away

restaurant that is also able to prepare platters. Kubu is a conference and functions venue –

for more details on this, please contact the Caravan Park Reception near the main gate.

And, let’s not forget a visit to the Lion enclosure – also booked at the Caravan Park

Reception.

(Information correct at time of printing and the MCPA and newsletter staff are not

responsible for any changes to the above)

BARN OWL RELOCATION

Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Relocation at Elandsfontein

Barn Owl breeding pair, male “k49560” and female “6-82739” in a hacking box

prior to being ringed and released at Elandsfontein

A breeding pair of Barn Owls from a Barn Owl Breeding programme in Ivory Park, North of

Johannesburg was recently relocated to Elandsfontein, Mabalingwe. They stubbornly kept

returning to a Municipal building to nest and were inadvertently causing mayhem by

entering the building through any possible opening and in the process bringing all services to

a standstill as everybody fled the building in utter panic as if the building was possessed by

evil spirits!

After three such incidents and after three unsuccessful relocations in around Midrand, it was

concluded that the relocation must be take place further than 100km’s from Ivory Park in

order to successfully confuse the birds’ built-in GPS.

After acquiring the necessary permission from the MCPA, the “honeymoon” couple was

relocated to Elandsfontein for free board and lodging after being ringed.

To assist them in becoming familiar with the environment, they were held in a hacking box

for a few days whilst being fed with defrosted rodents collected from Ivory Park where

rodents are in abundance and were therefore featuring prominently on their nocturnal

menu.

After presenting the pair with a scrumptious farewell meal consisting of Brown Rat (Rattus

norvegicus), Ivory Park’s best, they were successfully released into the wild in August 2017.

Feeding time at the hacking box situated at the water tank enclosure at Elandsfontein

Since the relocation the couple has settled in at Elandsfontein. Their distinct “screeching” call,

which is different to most owl’s “hoot” call, has become part of our unique landscape and is

clearly audible during the crepuscular hours. Barn Owl pellets collected around the houses in

Elandsfontein, show that the pair is feasting on Otomus (vlei rats), Rhabdomys pumilio (striped

mice) and an array of insects, mostly dung beetles (Rhinoceros Beetles) and the odd

“Parktown Prawn”. Some bird remains were found in one pellet which may have originated

from a roosting rock pigeon but it was inconclusive as the skull of the bird was crushed

beyond recognition.

Some interesting facts about Barn Owls

They are most successful hunting during overcast conditions in low light as they rely mostly on

their advanced hearing capability to locate their prey. Most owl species are reliant on their

well-developed nocturnal eyesight to hunt at night. Barn Owls’ night vision is less spectacular

as their eyes are smaller.

The face of the Barn Owl (known as the “Nonnetjies Uil” in Afrikaans) resembles that of a

catholic nun’s “coif” and “veil”. Dense feathers around its ear apertures form an “external

ear” which captures and deflects sound waves onto the ear drum. It’s highly efficient

auditory capability can be used to locate prey by means of triangulation in pitch dark

conditions.

Barn Owls have a specially adapted comb like talon used for grooming its facial disc to

ensure the maintenance of the feathers adapted to serve as “external ears”.

Barn Owls may live up to 25 years; they have three eyelids, one for blinking, one to close

when sleeping and one to cleanse the eye.

Whilst in flight during hunting, the left ear is focused on the ground for ground dwelling

prey whilst the right ear is focused on prey in flight.

Its long legs make it well adapted to hunt prey in tall grass.

Barn Owls occur on every continent except Antarctica.

They will pursue prey on foot and aerial prey on the wing.

They range from their roost is up to 16km.

They have 15 calls in their vocabulary.

Happy birding to you all

Jan van Niekerk (BSc, Botany, Zoology and Wildlife Management, Stellenbosch)

WHO ASKED ABOUT THE WEATHER?

2017 / 2018 2016 / 2017 2015 / 2016

Condition 01 December to 31 March each year

Hottest Day

08 Jan 2018 40.2°C 04 Dec 2016 37.1°C 07 Jan 2016 41.8°C

Coolest Day

22 Mar 2018 18.8°C 22 Feb 2017 20.5°C 18 Mar 2016 23.9°C

Warmest Night

16 Mar 2018 27.1°C 01 Dec 2016 21.9°C 07 Jan 2016 27°C

Coldest Night

09 Dec 2017 13.3°C 18 Jan 2017 13°C 30 Mar 2016 11.5°C

Windiest Day

02 Jan 2018 26 kph 10 Dec 2016 31 kph 09 Jan 2016 27 kph

Highest Wind Gusts

15 Feb 2018 36 kph 10 Dec 2016 44 kph 8 Dec, 9 Jan,

11 Jan 36 kph

Cummulative Rainfall

01 Dec to 31 Mar

366mm 01 Dec to

31 Mar 491mm

01 Dec to 31 Mar

504mm

Wettest Day

24 Jan 2018 56.9mm 04 Jan 2017 69.1mm 22 Mar 2016 33.8mm

2018 2017

Condition Season 01 September to 31 March

Hottest Day

08 Jan 2018 40.2°C 31 Oct 2016 39.4°C

Coolest Day

28 Oct 2017 18.4°C 18 Sep 2016 18.4°C

Warmest Night

16 Mar 2018 27.1°C 31 Oct 2016 25.1°C

Coldest Night

11 Oct 2017 6.5°C 19 Sep 2016 5.8°C

Windiest Day

02 Jan 2018 26 kph 10 Dec 2016 31 kph

Highest Wind Gusts

30 Sep, 15 Nov, 24 Nov

40 kph 16 Sep 2016 56 kph

Cummulative Rainfall

01 Sep to 31 Mar 612mm 01 Sep to 31 Mar 752mm

Wettest Day

24 Jan 2018 56.9mm 04 Jan 2017 69.1mm

For loads more details and information about the weather at Mabalingwe, go to

https://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=ILIMPOPO25

or download the app for your mobile phone

Remember, our weather station code is ILIMPOPO25

Enrico Liebenberg

BRAIN STRAIN QUIZ

1) What is the collective noun for a group of Hyena?

2) Which one of these can only be found in Africa: Elephant / Zebra / Rhino / Buffalo?

3) Elephants have a longer pregnancy than any other mammal – it is closest to: 12 months /

16 months / 22 months / 24 months?

4) What is another name for Wildebeest?

5) How long can the canine teeth of male hippos grow to?

6) How long is the average giraffe tongue?

7) What does “crepuscular” mean?

8) How much water does a male Kudu need to drink each day?

9) What is the arrangement of spots on a leopard called?

10) How many species of tortoises are found in Southern Africa?

1) A clan – but because of the sound of their calls, the term “a cackle” is also used 2) Zebra 3) 22 months 4) Gnu 5) 50 centimetres!!! 6) Also 50 centimetres!!! 7) Active during dusk and dawn 8) 7 to 9 litres per day in the Limpopo region 9) Rosettes 10) 14

IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS

Security

Mabalingwe Control Room 24/7 security service, alarm monitoring

controlroom@wbpm.co.za

systems@wpmproperties.co.za

014 001 7240

083 272 4851

082 546 9052

Police SAPS Bela Bela 014 736 9700

Medical (Emergencies)

Ambulance Provincial ambulance Bela Bela 014 736 2121

Provincial Hospital Bela Bela Provincial Hospital 014 736 2121

St Vincent Private Hospital Private hospital in Bela Bela 014 736 2310

Trauma Private ambulance service 014 736 2831

Medical (General)

Medlin Pharmacy

Weekdays 08:30 – 18:00

Saturdays 08:30 – 13:30

Sundays and Holidays 10:30 – 12:00

014 736 2285

Van Heerden Pharmacy

Weekdays 08:00 – 19:00

Saturdays 08:00 – 12:00 & 17:00 – 19:00

Sundays and Holidays 10:00 – 12:00 & 17:00 –

19:00

014 736 2301

Drs Bergh & Coertze Local doctors based in Bela Bela 014 736 2290

Drs Emslie & De Jonge Local doctors based in Bela Bela 014 736 2032

Drs Grobler & De Villiers Local doctors based in Bela Bela 014 736 2220

Water and Electricity Problems

Control Room 24/7 Electrical or Water problems 014 001 7240

Resort Facilities

Reception Office hours 07:00 – 22:00 014 001 7011

Game Drives and Activities Information and bookings at Mabalingwe 014 001 7011

Restaurant

Breakfast: 07:00 – 11:00

Lunch: 11:00 – 15:30

Dinner: 18:30 – 21:30

014 736 9019

Farm Shop

Mondays to Thursdays 09:00 – 17:00

Fridays 09:00 – 19:00

Saturdays 09:00 – 17:00

Sundays 08:00 – 16:00

014 001 7011

Ladies Bar Mondays to Sundays 10:00 – 20:00 014 001 7011

Caravan Park, Shop and Liquor Store 014 736 6090