The information was divided into Global, Level 1 and Level 2 events (Figure X).

Global events were

defined as occurrences that are wide, far-reaching, national and possibly global in their nature and
have thus affected both study sites. The implementation of a new policy or the rainfall data are
examples of such an event. Level 1 events were more local in their impact and nature. Grey
literature was consulted as sources for Global as well as Level 1 events. The open/close status of
the respective estuary mouths are an example of a Level 1 event. Level 2 events were also events
that were local in their impact but were the events as reported by the stakeholders through the oneon-one or group interviews or information gained during the workshops.

Metaidentity

Wilderness Lakes
Level 2 (as
Level 1 (Grey
reported by
literature)
stakeholders)

Date

Global events
Year
Date

1845
Gerbers
bought the
property from
Duiwe River
to right
through to

Level 1 (Grey
literature)

Associations
Business
Charity organisation
Conservancy
Governmental
departments
Informal groupings
Multiple stakeholder
project
Learning/education
Spiritual groups
Sports club
Workshop
Important event as
indicated by participants
Swartvlei
Level 2 (as
reported by
stakeholders)

Metaidentity

halfway
Langvlei (I11)
1865
The property that
Wilderness is
standing on now
was swapped for a
piece of land in
George 1
Feb

1869
"The Great
fire" burned
huge areas of
natural forest
2
. This
followed a
seven year
drought and
horse
sickness 3
1874

Touwmond/Barbier
skraal were sold
for 225 pounds
after liquidation to
William Guest and
James Thwaites 1;4
The Dumbletons
moved into Fairy
Knowe House 5
1876

J.J. Hooper
discovered a
gold nugget in a
dry tributary of
the Karatara
River 6
1877
Build
farmhouse
and farmed
the area that
are now
called The
Green (I11)

Sold Touwmond to
George William
Bennett for 500
pounds 4

Jan

1880
Government
appointed a
superintende
nt to take
control and
legalise
forestry 7
First AngloBoer War
1880-1881 8;9

Large forested
areas around
Karatara was
cleared due to
the gold rush 6

Families
bought plots in
Goudveld area
to start
prospecting for
gold (I4)
Krakatoa
tsunami goes
over Fairy
Knowe dunes
(WS, 2013)

South African
Gold rush 8;9
1882
It was reported

that gold
prospecting
started in the
Karatara area 10
1883
By now the name
"The Wilderness"
was used on
official notepapers
from the Bennett's
4

She married
his cousin
before
moving back
to Liverpool
(I11)

George William
Bennett passes
away and the
property, 3
bedroom house, is
let for holiday
residents and
farming while the
widow moved back
to England 11

Dec

1886
Around 1886
first and
longest rainfall
record in SA
(Harkerville)
(WS, 2013)
1894
John Barrington
bought Lots A &

B and renamed
it Sedgefield 12
1899
Second
Anglo-Boer
war 18991902 9
1905
Started to run
the old
farmhouse as
a guest
house (I11)

Wilderness Estate
Company bought
Wilderness from
the Bennett family
for 10 000 pounds
13

The current road

from Wilderness
Heights were also
build during this
period 13
The Bennett
farmhouse was
converted to a
guest house (Now
the Karos hotel) 13
1910
Formation of
Union of
South Africa
8;9

1912
African

National
Congress
(ANC)
founded 9
1913
Land act:
Prevented
blacks from
purchasing
land 8;9
1914
National
Party
founded 9

First families
moved from
the lakes and
forests to live
in Hoekwil
and Karatara
(I5; I14; I15)
Farmland
that are now
Hoekwil was
transferred to
the Armsorg
Kommitee of
the local NG
Kerk (I11)

Start of
woodcutters
being
relocated to
Karatara (I15)

1921
Development of
Wilderness starts
in the form of a
better road surface

Participants
grandfather
use to farm
with sweet

for the current road

and the building of
a railway track 14

potato, beans,
potatoes,
pumpkins and
corn (I16)

Owen Grant
Found
Wilderness
LTD (WS,
2013)
Owen Grant
laid out the
plots for the
houses. The
border of the
town ended
at Duiwe
River with the
Gerbers
farming on
the floodplain
on the other
side of the
river (I11)
1927
First bridge
(railway) over
Touw River
Lagoon (WS,
2013)

Between 1927
and 1930 the
last woodcutter
licenses was
received. The
believe was that
this white
impoverished

class needed to
be rehabilitated
6

The bridge
are the cause
for the silting
we see today
(I11)
Movement of
mouth
restricted by
bridge (I11)
1927/28
Building of
railway
through
Wilderness which was
the only
station
between
George and
Knysna (WS,
2013) 15

Railway bridge
over the
Swartvlei is
built (21)

The building of
the bridge was
the reason
why the water
in the lake
area became
fresh enough

for animals to
drink from.
This is now
reversing due
to the heavy
extraction of
water from the
rivers (I21)
1928
Wilderness
hotel rebuilt
in modern
form (WS,
2013)

The rebuilding of
the hotel seemed
to have been due
to the railway
coming through
Wilderness 15
1929

Dumbletons
bought the
land from the
Gerbers
(I11)

Pirates
Creek railway
bridge blocks
sagged
during a flood
(I12)

Dumbletons add to
the guest house by
building a private
hotel: Fairy Knowe
hotel 5

Sedgefield was
proclaimed a
town and
managed by the
Divisional
Council of
George 12
1930
Flood 16

The foundation
of the centre
portion of the
Swartvlei
railway bridge
is washed
away,

necessitating a
rebuild with a
slightly
lowering of the
foundation and
additional
concrete and
rocks (I2)
Around this time
plantations
replaced
indigenous
forest as the
main wood
supplier 6
1930s Owen
Grant
organised
weekend
away, where
you can fly
from JHB to
George and
take the train
to Wilderness
(I11)

1931
National
drought (WS,
2013)

Participants
recall how they
had to walk
inland to
collect water
squeezing it
from the
clayey soil
(I16)

There were
severe
flooding after
the drought
(I29)

1932
Due to extensive
flooding an
yachting expedition
from Knysna to
Island Lake had to
be abandoned 17
Knysna sailors
brought in five
yacht via rail to sail
at Island Lake 17

1935
Sea Shore
act 21 of
1935 18
1937
The Island was
flooded that
only a small
part of it was
showing (I21)
1943

61 Air School
trained pilots for
the second world
war at the George
airfield. They use
to take their
weekend pass
going down to
Fairy Knowe Hotel
19

1944
Mar

Road bridge

over Swartvlei
completed 20
National Road
Board breaches
the Touw River
mouth as their
interim road
caused the mouth
to stay closed and
the estuary water
affected the farms

Apr

21

1946
Could jump
Road bridge of N2
off the
completed 20
railway
bridge into
deep water
before the
road bridge
was build
(I14)
The building
of the bridges
had an effect
on the
estuaries
(I14)
Hoekwil
church
breaks away
from the

Mar

church in
George (I14)
Sometime after
1946 a drawbridge
was built over the
Serpentine 22
1947
A Sunderland
airplane landed
on Swartvlei to
survey the lake
as a possible
emergency stop
for the Cape
Town Durban
route 5
Leggatt
family moves
to Wilderness
(I12)

1948
PW Botha
elected as
MP for
George
constituency
20;23

Apartheid
policy
adopted by
National
Party 8;9
1950
Group Areas
Act adopted

The Boshoff
family used to

(segregates
black and
white people)
8;9

visit Swartvlei
for three weeks
over
December/Janu
ary leaving
Hoekwil with
their ossewa.
There used to
be a lot of
fishing in the
lakes with five
men having to
set the treknet 24

1951
Touw river flooded
and a 130 mm of
rain was recorded
and major damage
was reported 25
Rained for eight
days and Touw
River flooded.
Caught 12
streepsakke of
fish 24
Landing
stages/jetties
washed away in
the 1951 flood 26
Next three
decades saw
lots of

Jan

Participant
remembers
how they had

development
(I11)

to cross the
Swartvlei
estuary with an
ox wagon
before the N2
bridge were
build (I21)
N2 completed 20

Apr

Participants
feel that the
N2 is a
shame and
that it had a
major
influence on
the area (I3;
I6; I11; I12;
I14; I18)
1952

First Wilderness
Local area Board
constituted 27

N2 officially
opened 28

Another flood
when the
whole Island
was covered
by water (I21)
Jul
1954
First Interclub
yacht race in
Southern Cape
at Swartvlei 17;29
George Lakes
Yacht Club

established 17
1955
George Lakes
Yacht club
purchased land
on the banks of
Swartvlei 17
1956
Wilderness
sold to Dr
Krynauw
(WS, 2013)

Village
Management
Board was
created 12
1958
Eastern Cape
Yacht Racing
Association
Regatta were
held at Swartvlei
17

Veld & Vlei

Adventure
School were
established 17
George
Lakes Yacht
club moves
to Island
Lake (I18)

A common sight at
Island Lake was
one of the
Gerickes rowing a
goat across the
lake to the island
where they allowed

1960
International
pressure
against
National
Party
government
begins 9

Yacht club
moves from
Swartvlei to
Island Lake 17;30

Caravan
holidays were
big in 1960's
and 70's and
there was six
caravan parks
in Sedgefield

the animals to
graze 17

Coloured
community,
which up to
know lived
amongst the
white's as
'bywoners' in
Hoekwil, was
moved to
Touwsranten
(I14)
From 1960 to
70s
development
started on the
dunes at
Wilderness
(I14)

and all of them

made their
profit over the
three/four
week
Christmas/New
year holiday
(I3)
Railway was
used as a
commuter train
during the
60s. There
was not really
alternative
transport to
George or
Knysna (I18)

Wilderness Lakes
Management
Board started
administration of
area 17

1961
South Africa
became a
republic 8
1962

Water gauge
placed in
Swartvlei (I29)

Participant told
a story of how
he survived as
a child fishing
in the lake
after his
mother
abandoned
them (I5)
1967
Dr. Chris
Barnard
performed
first heart
plant. He was
a regular
visitor to
Wilderness 31
1968
32;33

As a child the
participant
remember
sitting under
the bridge
waiting for his
white friends
to return from

Tarred Hoekwil
bridge build over
Serpentine 34
Wilderness beach
zoned only for the
use of whites 31

the beach
(I5)
There was a
drought. You
had to go in
very deep
into the lakes
to find cool
water. Fairy
Knowe ended
up laying
pipes into the
mountains
for water (I5)
Floodplain
burned (I5)

Jan

Rainfall
below 20mm
for the month
31

Jan

Water
restrictions
were in place
31

Jan

Mouth is torn open

Feb

31

Lakes Area
Management
Board

Jul

Earthquake
makes the
mountains
rumble 31
Southern
Cape
experience
one of the
worst tidal
waves in
history 31
Lakes placed
under
government

protection 35

manages
lakes (I11)

Dec

Mouth breached
at 0.804m 32

10 Mar
18 Jun

Mouth closed 32
Mouth breached
at 1.643m 32
Mouth closed 32
Mouth breached
at 1.414m 32
Mouth closed 32
Mouth breached
at 0.804m 32

1969
Several people fell
ill with stomach
complaints after
swimming in the
lakes 35

Feb

15 Sep
04 Nov
03 Dec
30 Dec

Lakes trust fight for

the preservation of
the lakes systems
36

1970
Mountain
Catchment
Areas Act 63
of 1970 18
Research
station at
Rondevlei
established 35

Feb

Anthrax
outbreak at
Ruigtevlei 36
Swartvlei used
to be the prime
sailing
destination in
the 70s and
80s to virtually
no sailing

today due to
lack of access.
People
accessed the
area through
the then Pine
Lake Marina
caravan park
(I18)
Around 3
million people
in South
Africa forcibly
resettled 9

Dune adjacent
to Swartvlei
caravan park
burned around
the 1970s
(I20)
21 Jan Mouth closed 32
03 Sep Mouth breached
at 1.516m 32

1971
Convention
on Wetlands
of
International
Importance
especially as
Waterfowl
Habitat, 1971
18

12
May

Mouth closed 32

10 Jul

Mouth breached
at 1.693m 32

1972
N2/7 realignment
early 1970
(WS, 2013)

06 Apr Mouth closed 32

16 Aug Mouth breached
at 1.566m 32

The new alignment

of the N2 would
pass by the
George Lakes
Yacht club
clubhouse. Due to
this reason any
further
improvements to
the clubhouse
were stopped 17

WRRA
formed (WS,
2013)
1973
Seabird and
Seals
Protection
Act 46 of
1973 18
Convention
on
International
Trade in
Endangered
species of
Wild Fauna

Participant
moved to
Sedgefield
(I16)

and Flora,
1973 18
02
May

Mouth closed 32
Flooding in
Sedgefield
(Oorstroming
in Sedgefield)
(WS, 2013)

1974
Sedgefield
attained
municipal status
12

19 Mar

Mouth breached
at 1.566m 32
22 Apr Mouth closed 32
01 Sep Mouth breached
at 1.871m 32
1975
Lake Areas
Development
Act 39 of
1975
(repealed)
18;35

Expropriation
Act 63 of
1975 18
Institute of
Fresh water

During 1970s
Rhodes

They
dredged two
channels to
connect
Rondevlei
and Langvlei
(I18)

There were
fears that the
main land
and the
island in
Island Lake

George Divisional
Council widened
and deepened the
channel between
Island Lake and
Upper-Langvlei 35

studies
(Rhodes
University)
established a
research
station at
Swartvlei) 35
Lakes Areas
Development
Board
minuted that
they were
initially only
going to
focus on the
Wilderness
Lakes. Plant
encroachmen
t, silting and
the opening
and closing of
the mouth
were the
most
important
issues 37

Limnology
Department
established a
research base
at Swartvlei
(I18)

might
connect due
to siltation
and reed
encroachmen
t (I18)
Up to 1975 the
mouth was opened
by the Duiweriver
farmers once their
lands flooded. This
was also in
conjunction with
Claude Watney the
owner of a caravan
park (currently
Pirates Creek) 37

Estuary mouth
was opened by
a local farmer
when the
water reached
1.7m as the
septic tanks
started to
flood. The
town clerk was
notified but no
other
permission
was given (I3)
Up to this time
period the
mouth was
opened by
farmers and
their workers.
(I21)

Expropriation of
the low lying lands
was suggested 37

15
Mouth closed 32
May
09 Sep Mouth breached
at 1.999m 32
1976

National
Parks Act No
57 of 1976
(repealed) 18
05 Mar
10 Mar
24 Jun
05 Oct

Mouth closed 32
Mouth breached
at 1.06m 32
Mouth closed 32
Mouth breached
at 2.252m 32

1977
First South
African Lake
Area was
proclaimed
(mouth of
Touw,
Serpentine,
Island Lake
and UpperLangvlei) 37
Opening of
George
Airport
(previously
known as PW
Botha Airport)
38

21 Jul Mouth closed 32

28 Nov Mouth breached
at 1.87m 32

25 Dec Mouth closed 32

1978
Average
temperature
16.6oC.
Average
rainfall
563.44mm
(airport) 39
PW Botha
became the
Prime
Minister of
South Africa
23

Three properties
were added to the
Lake Area 37

March

03 Nov Mouth breached

at 1.897m 32
1979
Average
temperature
16.6oC.
Average
rainfall
583.44mm
(airport) 39
Sedgefield gets Holidaymakers
electricity from
attended
the National grid ratepayers

12

Mouth closed 32

01 Jan
05
May
27 Jun

Mouth open 32
Mouth closed 32
The
Serpentine
was
managed
deliberately
by
manipulating
the water
levels by
means of the
sluice gates
(I18)
The building
(in 1940) as
well as

Serpentine
drawbridge
destroyed and
sluice gates
installed by the
Lakes Area Board
22

meetings once
a year
(December)
and seemed to
be very happy
with the
management
of the town (I3)

Mouth closed 32
Mouth breached
at 1.871m 32

01 Sep
01 Oct
1980
Average
temperature
16.6oC.
Average
rainfall
631.21mm
(airport) 39

People started
discovering the
Island in
Sedgefield (I3)

07 Jul

Mouth closed 32

Despite
warnings that
development

upgrading of
the N2 (1980)
was bad for
the system
(I12)

Doubled the
N2 across
the mouth
(I11)

This period of
time was
marked by
intensive
management
of the system
opening of
the mouth as
well as
dredging and
manipulation
of the water
level (I12;
I18)

29 Oct

Mouth breached
at 1.82m 32

should not
take place
below the 5m
contour line,
development
on the Island
started.
Waterfront
property sold
for R6000.00
(I3)
CSIR science
report on
Swartvlei
published
around 1980
(WS, 2013)
Around the
1980s John
Hugh bought
Pine Lake
Marina. Also
developed
timeshare
housing on the
Island = 1st
phase of
development
(I3)

I14 has been

holidaying in
the area and
now owns a
house at
Myola Beach
(I14)
Mouth open 32
Mouth closed 32

02 Dec Mouth closed 32

02 Dec
11 Dec
1981
Average
temperature
16.2oC.
Average
rainfall not
measured
(airport) 39
Two volume
report on the
limnology of
the Touw
River
floodplain
presented to
Coastal
Lakes
Working
Group 40

Mouth open 32

25 Jan
26 Jan

Mouth closed 32

03 Mar

Mouth breached
at 1.871m 32

Mouth open 32

26 Mar
1982
Average
temperature
16.1oC.
Average
rainfall
714.44mm
(airport) 39

Mouth closed 32

18 Jul

Mouth open 32

15 Sep

N2 doubled,
Station garden
Wilderness
halved (WS,
2013)

Carte Blanch
story on
Swartvlei
mouth
controversy
around 1982
(WS, 2013)
1983
Average
temperature
not
measured.
Average
rainfall not
measured
(airport) 39

Upper
catchments of
Swartvlei
controlled by
DEA.
Surrounding
areas of
Swartvlei
managed by
Outeniqua
Divisional
Council. Eastern
bank managed

Saasveld road
tarred around
1983 - Blasting
Kaaimans weir
(WS, 2013)

by Sedgefield
Municipality 41
Conservation
of Agricultural
Resources
Act 43 of
1983 18
Mouth closed 32

15 Mar
28 Mar
01 Apr

Mouth open 32

Mouth closed 32

National
Parks Board
takes over
management
of Wilderness
Lake Area
from Lakes
Area
Development
Board 18

Management
became
formalised (I3;
I6; I18)

25 Jul
27 Jul

Mouth breached
at 1.871m 32

1984
Average
temperature
17.3oC.
Average
rainfall not
measured
(airport) 39
Mouth closed 32

01 Apr

Participant

bought
timeshare on
the Island (I29)
05 Sep Mouth closed 32
07 Sep Mouth breached
at 0.982m 32
15 Dec Mouth closed 32
1985
Average
temperature
17.4oC.
Average
rainfall
703.84mm
(airport) 39
22 Jul

Mouth breached
at 1.897m 32
22 Sep Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32

25 Oct
03 Nov Mouth breached
at 1.975m 32
1986
Average
temperature
17.3oC.
Average
rainfall
528.75mm
(airport) 39

Mouth closed 32

08 Feb
01 Apr

Mouth closed 32

National
02
Parks Board
May
declare
Swartvlei
system and
surrounding
property as a
National Lake
Area 18
9 Jun

Sedgefield
lions
established
(WS, 2013)

10 Sep Mouth breached

at 1.719m 32
17 Sep Mouth closed 32
15 Oct Mouth breached
at 1.82m 32
1987
Average
temperature
17.5oC.
Average
rainfall
594.34mm
(airport) 39
Mouth open 32

01 Feb

Mouth closed 32

23 Apr

Mouth breached
at 1.85m 32
Mouth closed 32

15 Apr

04

May
Mouth closed

32

Mouth open 32
People were
moved due to
the
declaration of
the National
Park. The
beach was a
whites only
zone as well
so the
coloured
children were
only allowed
to swim in the
estuary (I5)
Wilderness
Lakes
National Park
was declared
(I11)

05
May
25 Sep
Nov

25 Sep Mouth breached

at 1.795m 32
Wilderness
Lake Area
and all state
land falling
within those
boundaries
were
proclaimed
as the
Wilderness
National Park
18

1988
Average
temperature
17.1oC.
Average
rainfall
533.65mm

(airport) 39
Mouth closed 32

01 Apr
22 Apr

Mouth closed 32

1989
Average
temperature
16.9oC.
Average
rainfall
681.46mm
(airport) 39

In late 80s
several boys
were
electrocuted
when trying to
gain access to
Swartvlei via
Bleshoender
with their hobie
cat (I3)

Environmenta
l
Conservation
Act 73 of
1989 18
PW Botha
retired from
politics and
came to live
in his house
in Wilderness
De Anker 23
Mouth open 32

01 Nov
19 Oct

Mouth closed 32

20 Dec
1990

Mouth breached
at 1.85m 32

Average
temperature
16.8oC.
Average
rainfall
591.77mm
(airport) 39

Another
growth spurt of
Sedgefield
happened in
the 1990's with
the
development
of Groenvallei,
Myoli Beach
and Cola
Beach (I3)
03 Mar
06 Jun
09 Jul

1991
Average
temperature
17oC.
Average
rainfall
561.04mm
(airport) 39
Physical
Planning Act
125 of 1991
18

Convention of
Migratory
Species of
Wild Animals,

Mouth closed 32
Mouth breached
at 2.1m 32
Mouth closed 32

1991 18

Mouth open 32
Mouth closed 32
PreSANParks
there were a
very handson
management
style (I12;
I18)

20 Feb
22 Mar
Apr

17 Feb

Mouth breached
at 2.01m 32

06 Apr

Mouth closed 32

Control of
Rondevlei as
well as the
lands
between
Rondevlei
and Swartvlei
where moved
from Cape
Directorate of
Nature and
Environment
Conservation
to National
Parks Board
18

Jun

Serpentine,
Eilandvlei,
Langvlei and
Rondevlei
declared a
RAMSAR site
18

Mouth open 32

30 Oct

Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32

22 Nov
05 Dec

Mouth closed 32

30 Dec

05 Dec Mouth breached

at 1.73m 32
29 Dec Mouth closed 32
1992
Average
temperature
16.7oC.
Average
rainfall
892.54mm
(airport) 39
725.5mm
(Rondevlei) 32
Convention
on Biological
Diversity,
1992 18

Around this
time the main
engagement
was around
pollution of
the Touw
river (I6)

Mouth open 32

Sparrie
Barnard
opened mouth
(WS, 2013)

23 Jul
28 Jul

Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32
Foundation of Wilderness EcoWETA (WS,
Tourism
2013)
Association
(WETA) was
started by
stakeholders 42

Mouth breached
at 1.9m 32

23 Aug
16 Oct
1993
Average
temperature
16.5oC.
Average
rainfall
869.96mm

Judy Dixon
chairman of
WESSA
Sedgefield for
8 years (I17)

(airport) 39;
824.6mm
(Rondevlei) 32
Constantia
Kloof
approval
(WS, 2013)

Participant
remembers
this as the first
time she
entertained a
non-white
person in her
house (I17)
Participant I17
moved to the
area
A participant
that use to
work for
SANParks
feared for his
life, he believe
because of the
questions he
asked of head
office (I5)
Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32
Mouth closed 32

23 Jan
12 Mar
26 Mar
27 Jul

Mouth open 32

Mouth closed 32

23 Sep
24 Sep Mouth breached
at 2m 32

1994
Average
temperature
16.2oC.
Average
rainfall
618.22mm
(airport) 39;
703mm
(Rondevlei) 32

Participant
remembers
the days
when 10
guys walked
behind the
grader
removing
rocks from
the culverts,
etc. Now,
2012, it is just
the driver
(I12)
Saw a lot of
changes in
the
demographic
s of the area
with a lot of
international
interest in
buying
property (I11)

Apartheid
ends with the
ANC winning
the first nonracial election
9

21
May
Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32

Mouth closed 32

24
May
02 Aug
15 Aug Mouth breached
at 2m 32

Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32

03 Oct
24 Dec
1995
Average
temperature
16.5oC.
Average
rainfall
839.18mm
(airport) 39;
710.65mm
(Rondevlei) 32
Development
Facilitation
Act 67 of
1995 18

First and only

Municipal Council
elected for
Wilderness 43

Mouth closed 32

Mouth open 32

Report done
on the
hydrological
effect of the
railway bridge
(I3)

I17 did export

protea farming
until the export
regulations
demanded
unsustainable
farming
methods in
order to
achieve the
standards

24
May
30 Nov

21 Jul Mouth closed 32

30 Nov Mouth breached
at 2.02m 32

Workshop
participant
queried this
date (WS,
2013)

1996
Average
temperature
16.2oC.
Average
rainfall
818.61mm
(airport) 39;
790.3mm
(Rondevlei) 32
Constitution
of the
Republic of
South Africa
Act No 108 of
1996 18

Eden
adventures
was
established
(I12)

A fire destroy
some of the
Southern
Cape forest 2
The one foot
of the railway
bridge at
Fairy Knowe
washed away
(I12)

Freesia Rock
railway bridge pillar
collapse 16

Water was a meter

deep in the boat
sheds at the
George Lakes

157mm
(Rondevlei)
of rain over
three days 16

Enviro-garden
started in
Sedgefield
under WESSA
(I17)

Richard from
Elandskraal
took over the
chair of
WESSA
Sedgefield
(I17)
Sedgefield
WESSA
integrated with
WESSA
George (I17)

Yacht club with

boats floating off
their dollies 17
Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32

30 Mar
27 Apr

Mouth closed 32

23 Oct

Mouth breached
at 2.21m 32

22 Oct

3rd week of
Nov fairly
heavy rain &
flooding (WS,
2013)
Another big
flood
somewhere
in 1997 (I12)

Wilderness Craft
Market started on
first Sunday of
every month and a
portion of the profit
went to the
Honorary rangers
44

1997
Average
temperature
16.2oC.
Average
rainfall
722.39mm
(airport) 39;
515.95mm
(Rondevlei) 32

KidBuddy, outdoor
playground for
children, started in
the Island Lake
floodplain 45
17 Jan 72.91ha of
land in the
Duiwe River

97/98 Ban on
building below
3m mandated
by Sedgefield
Municipality
(WS, 2013)

catchment
proclaimed
as part of the
Wilderness
National
Park. It was
under control
of Regional
Services
Council 18
Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32
Mouth closed 32

24
May
27
May
06 Jul
30 Jul

Mouth open 32
Mouth closed 32
Alternate
route for N2
across
Serpentine
proposed
1998 2000
(WS, 2013)

No official
deproclamati
on Rooti's

26 Oct
24 Nov
1998
Average
temperature
16.2oC.
Average
rainfall
559.54mm
(airport) 39;
522.4mm
(Rondevlei) 32
Marine Living
Resources
Act 18 of

Mouth closed 32

1998 18

Route (WS,
2013)
Farmer sells
his land
between
Rondevlei
and Langvlei
to a
developer
that
subdivided
the land by
end 2003
(I17)

National
Water Act 36
of 1998 18

Montage
Village
approved
despite all land
below 3m
around (WS,
2013)

National
Forest Act 84
of 1998 18
Veld and
Forest Fire
Act 101 of
1998 18
National
Environmenta
l
Management
Act 107 of
1998 18
Mouth open 32

04 Feb

Mouth breached
at 1.58m 32

30 Mar

Mouth closed 32

27 Mar

Mouth closed 32
Big fire on
Wilderness
Heights due
to Berg Wind
(WS, 2013)

09 Apr
Aug

1999
Average
temperature
17.1oC.
Average
rainfall not
recorded
(airport) 39;
547.7mm
(Rondevlei) 32
Mountain
Club South
Cape Subsection was
formed 46
National
Heritage
Resources
Act 25 of
1999 18
Mouth open 32

19 Apr

Mouth closed 32

12
May
19 Oct

Mouth open 32

19 Apr

Mouth breached
at 2.1m 32

Mouth closed 32

07 Dec
2000
Average
temperature
16.3oC.
Average
rainfall
663.65mm
(airport) 39;
671.8mm
(Rondevlei) 32

Change of
park
management
1989-2000
Paul Seaban
(WS, 2013)

The
Sedgefield
Island
Conservancy
was formed
in early 2000
(I23)

Mouth open 32

12 Jan

Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32

17 Feb
03 Mar

Mouth closed 32

Mouth open 32
Mouth closed 32

30
May

Mouth closed 32

Jul

Student
instructor of
Outward Bound
drowns in
Swartvlei 47

01 Jun

13 Nov
21 Dec
2001

Mouth open 32

01 Jan

Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32
Mouth closed 32

05 Feb
09 Feb
28 Feb

Average
temperature
16.9oC.
Average
rainfall
815.08mm
(airport) 39;
584.2mm
(Rondevlei) 32
Southern
01 Jan
Cape Weeds
Forum was
founded 48

Mouth breached
at 2m 32

02 Jul Mouth closed 32

05 Dec Mouth breached
at 1.86m 32
2002
Average
temperature
not recorded.
Average
rainfall not
recorded
(airport) 39;
589.3mm
(Rondevlei) 32
Mouth open 32

10 Sep

07 Feb Mouth closed 32

10 Sep Mouth breached

at 2.15m 32
Mouth closed 32

02 Oct
2003
Average
temperature
17.1oC.
Average
rainfall
784.83mm
(airport) 39;
678.7mm
(Rondevlei) 32
National
Environmenta
l
Management:
Protected
Areas Act 57
of 2003 18

WALEAF
formed (I7;
WS, 2013)

Mouth open 32

25 Mar

Lakes Road were

flooded and the
mouth was open

25 Mar

26 Oct

Mouth closed 32

Mar

Water levels
reached 3.2m in
estuary 49

Huge storms 25 Mar

were reported
50
, 157mm
(Rondevlei)
of rain over 2
days 16
25 Mar

Mouth breached
at 2.95m 32

Roads were
flooded causing
traffic delays 53

SANParks
waited for the
water to rise
before opening
the mouth and
probably
caused some
houses to
flood (I3)

and in full flood 51,

campers had to be
rescued from Ebb
& Flow by the
NSRI 52
E-coli results of
Touw River
published 54 due to
concerns raised 55
WRRA community
(50 people) beach
clean-up around
the mouth. Also
took away the
driftwood 56
Touwsranten
housing issue
discussed in an
article as well as in
letters to the editor

and animals had

to be brought to
safety 51

08 Apr

22-Apr

43;57-59

In a letter to the
editor various
authors
complained about
the cleaning of the
driftwood off the
beaches 42;58;60
Article about
RAMSAR and the
importance of
RAMSAR 61

May

May

Sedgefield flood
committee was
established after
the floods 49

May

Jun

New sewerage
system for
Wilderness is
discussed 59
Mouth closed 32

Start to pay
for plastic
shopping
bags + 62
New
conservation
fee and
loyalty card
system
introduced for
all National
parks 63

03-Jun

17 Jun
Jun

SANParks
wins an
tourism
reward for
ensuring that
disabled
persons can
access parks
64

Access route from

N2 to Ebb & Flow
is paved 65
George
Municipality
declared as a

Jun

Jun

'Plaaslike
owerheid' and
ward committees 66
Leopard caught in Jul
a gin trap close to
Wilderness 67
21 Aug Mouth closed 32
Oct
Concerns were
raised about the
pollution levels
in the Klein
Wolwe River 68
Mouth breached at
2.06m 32
Mouth closed 32
Ds Alwyn
Burger starts
as the church
minister at
Die Vleie
(I14)

18 Oct
16 Nov
2004
Average
temperature
17.5oC.
Average
rainfall
738.06mm
(airport) 39;
855.3mm
(Rondevlei) 32

I3 moved to
the area but
has been
holidaying
here since the
1980s (I3)

The
Wilderness
Catchment
Management
Forum was
very active

Official opening of
the new Eden
Adventures offices

Feb

Poaching of
prawns in
Swartvlei
reported 69

Mar

Engagement
process started
on The Lakes
Eco and Golf

during 2004 to
2006 and they
believe that
the reason
was the
property boom
in the area (I3)
Development
moved away
from caravan
parks to
houses (I3)
Jack Ruben
was the
chairman of
the WLCMF
(I3) +
Pine Lake
Marina used to
be a caravan
park but now
has chalets
for the last 25
years (I3)

Feb

70

Landowners
surprised the
developer with
their level of

No action is
being taken
on the future
of the Chootjoe. It does
influence
tourism (I12)

Outeniqua Chootjoe derails at the

Rondevlei
crossing. This was
due to the
subsidence of the
track made worse
by recent rain 72

Resort 71

expertise. As
the
engagement
process
continued his
act also
became more
polished (I17)
The closing of
the Choo-Tjoe
is very
negative for
the tourism of
the area (I17;
I18) -

Negative
reaction to the
proposed The
Lakes Eco and
Golf Resort + 73

There was
fight and offers
of bribery. The
stakeholders
ended up
making all the
relevant
results public
(I17) +

Mar

Mar

19 Apr

Mouth breached
at 1.89m 32
May/Ju Glossy insert
ly
(newsletter) of
the proposed
The Lakes Eco
& Golf resort

It was the
involvement of
the people that
stopped the
development

74;75

Jun/Ju
n/
Jul/Se
pt
Jul

Sep

Upgrade of
the N2
started 87
Sep/N
ov

???

Mouth breached at
2.21m 32
Mouth closed 32
Milkwood village
(mall) opened 89
120mm rain that
fell mostly in 2
hours. The water

07 Oct
29 Oct
Dec
22 Dec

More negative
reaction to the
proposed Lakes
Eco & Golf
Resort+ 76-86
"Open day" held
about Lakes
Eco & Golf
resort 76

Stakeholders
held a rally
against the
development at
Swartvlei (Lakes
Eco & Golf
resort) and the
completion of
land claims 88

from
happening
(I14) +

entered through
Hugo Leggatts'
house and his floor
collapsed into their
garage 26
Mouth open 32
Been
holidaying in
the area
since 1980s
and told a
story about
how they
used to water
ski on the
serpentine
during
holiday (no
time frame
given) from
Fairy Knowe
under the
bridge to
estuary (I3)
First working
for water
project
initiated by
WLCMF
around 2005
Karatara

22 Dec
2005
Average
temperature
not recorded.
Average
rainfall not
recorded
(airport) 39;
619.8mm
(Rondevlei) 32

Feb

Councillor
comments
about the
false
promises of
developers 90

Sedgefield
was taken over
by Knysna
Municipalities
(I10)

Montage
Village was
build (I10)

(WS, 2013)
Montage
approved
around 1999
(WS, 2013) Feb

Proposed
moratorium
placed on
golf
development

Feb

Glossy insert
(newsletter) of
the proposed
The Lakes Eco
& Golf resort 92

91

Mar/Au More negative

g/Oct
reaction to the
proposed Lakes
Eco & Golf
Resort 93-95
Mouth closed 32

18
May

Residents of
Wilderness and
Touwsranten
started to complain
about the quality of
drinking water
coming from the
taps 96

Jun

Participant
resign from
Honorary
Rangers after
10 years (I17)

15 Jun
New bird hide build Jun
close to the Fairy

Mouth closed 32

Knowe hotel 97
Aug

Train track
between
George and
Knysna close
- 98
Sept

Sept

Flood (WS,
2013)
Participant
started
working for
SANParks
(I4)

March
organised
against the
proposed Lakes
Eco & Golf
estate 99
False claims
were made that
SANParks
supports the
above
mentioned
development 100

Dec
2006
Average
temperature
16.3oC.
Average
rainfall
1067.76mm
(airport) 39;
889.8mm
(Rondevlei) 32

Dave Jones
was the
chairman of
WLCMF (I3)

Participant is
concerned on
the actions
that will be
taken if e-coli
readings is
showing that
there is
danger (I12)

The feeling is
that if the
mouth was
opened that
there would
have been

Citizens request
the opening of the
mouth due to
perceived pollution
but as the water
level is not at the
maximum height
SANParks did not
manually open the
mouth 101
Mouth open 32 The
mouth was
breached 102
Despite reports of
contamination the
e-coli reading in
the Touw river was
acceptable 103

Feb

Mouth closed 32

08
May

Mouth breached at
2.13m 32

30 Apr

03
May

01 Aug

19
May
01
Aug

Mouth breached
at 1.85m 32
Heavy rain in
Karatara
catchment. No
property flooded
as mouth was
open 49

Heavy rain in
Karatara
catchment. No
property
flooded as
mouth was

less damage
(I27)
Floods (WS,
2013)

After the floods

20 Sep
damage have been
caused to the
network that
supplies
Wilderness with
drinking water 104

Mouth closed 32

26 Oct
Oct

Trucks had to
take a 400km
detour due to
the damage that
was done to the
roads during the
rain 49

open (WS,
2013)
Due to
mismanageme
nt of
catchment the
flood brought
down silt and
changed the
course of the
river. Sediment
of 3m were
deposited (I17)

PW Botha
passes away
23

Choo-tjoe
stops running
(I12)

Nov

The train
tracks
between
George and
Knysna are
closed
indefinitely

Feels that the

closing of the
Choo-tjoe was
negative for
the area (I17)

49;105

Invasion of
carp into lake
system (WS,
2013)

2007
Average
temperature
16.7oC.
Average
rainfall not
recorded

Ray Barrell
was the
chairman of
WLCMF (I3)

(airport) 39;
959.7mm
(Rondevlei) 32
Lakes Eco &
Golf Resort
proposing to
pay for a
desalination
plant in
Kleinkrans
(this was
never build)

Jack Ruben
start Seven
Passes
Initiative (WS,
2013)

106

Apr

Lakes & Eco

golf estate
application to
develop denied
107

Mouth breached at
2.04m 32
Mouth closed 32

05 Mar
17 Mar
Apr

01 Jul

Application for a
march against
the proposed
Lakes Eco &
Golf Resort was
turned down by
George
Municipality 108
Mouth closed 32

Constantia Kloof

Aug

Floods
coincided
with spring
tide (I27)

conservancy
registered 109
Mouth breached at
2.25m 32

22 Nov

22 Nov Mouth breached

at 2m 32

Nov

Montage
Complex and
Island Village
flooded 49

400mm+ rain
over 3 days,
extensive
flooding &
damage
communities
cut off (WS,
2013)
Both Island
Village and
Montage
Complex was
flooded (both
were
developed
even though
reports warned
against the
development
(I3; I10; I21)
Clothing items
drifted out of
tents in
Swartvlei
caravan park
due to the
flood but the
water
disappeared
very fast (I19)

Nov

2008
Average
temperature
16oC.
Average
rainfall
596.37mm
(airport) 39;
446mm
(Rondevlei) 32

NSRI evacuated
people living
near the lake.
Roads were
closed and
people
evacuated due
to floods 110;111

SANParks
waited for the
water to rise
before opening
the mouth and
probably
caused some
houses to
flood (I3)
Campers at
Swartvlei
found several
dead
seahorses
they believed
washed out
due to the
flood (I22)
Sedgefield ran
out of water
early 2008
(WS, 2013)

Mike Young
was the
chairman of
WLCMF (I3)

Mouth closed 32
Highest water Mouth breached at
ever
2m 32
recorded at
Eden
Adventures
and was due
to debris that
got stuck
under Pirate's
Creek bridge.
8 canoes
washed away
(I12)
Mouth closed 32

19 Apr
12 Nov

22 Dec
2009
Average
temperature
16.4oC.
Average
rainfall
379.73mm
(airport) 39;
370mm
(Rondevlei) 32

New protocol
for opening
mouth
documented
(WS, 2013)

Feb

Wilderness
National Park
becomes part
of the newly
proclaimed
Garden

Desalination
plant was
sponsored by
National
Government
but pipeline
had to be paid
by local
municipality
(I3)
WLCMF
entirely not
involved with
drought
mitigations = a
body not

Route
National Park

involved with
water issues
(I3)
Private homeowners drilled
for own
boreholes
unlegislated
(WS, 2013)
The eco-lakes
project that got
stopped was a
positive for the
system (I12)

18;112

Water
restrictions
are in place
for the
drought +
2009/10
drought = 1
out of 130
year drought
(I1)

From a
management
point of view
the drought
was a
nightmare but
valuable
lessons were
learned and
various
things

29 Oct

A suggestion
was tabled
that George
are be
declared a
disaster area
113
. An
application
for R156
million sought
for relief
funding.
Weekly
articles about
the level of
the dam and
everyday
actions/tips
that can be
taken to save
water. People
were
extremely

Drinking water
had to be
trucked into
Sedgefield - 114117

Posters were
up at the
caravan park
reminding
tourists about
the drought
(I20)

needed to be
put in place
in a hurry (I1)
Water usage
was 35 mega
Lt and within
4/5 month the
usage was
down to 20
25 mega Lt a
month
awareness
as well as
strong arm
tactics was
used (I1)
Municipality
discovered
various leaks
(I1)

vigilant and
reported any
offenders
Various steps
were taken to
ensure that
publics buyin. Punitive
charges were
levied,
desalination
plant were
investigated
as well as the
recycling of
waste water.
+
Prayer
meetings
were held
and at one
prayer
meeting
George rugby
stadium filled
up 118

Desalination
plant
established at
Myoli Beach 115

According to
participant the
desalination
plant only
started
working once
the drought
was broken
and they only
used it for a
very short time
(I3) The feeling
is that it is not
working as it is
damaging the

bech as well
(I10) + &Due to
changes in
water usage
water usage
still down and
municipality
not receiving
income in
2012 (I1)

Co-ordinator
employed to
run the
drought
awareness
campaign 117

Oct

Even after
rain the level
of the dam
dropped
119;120

Even stricter
water
restrictions
were put in
place 120
The drought
is seriously
affecting the
farmers 121
New Eco-estate
launched on the
current Fairy
Knowe property 122

Oct

Nov

George,
Mossel Bay
and Knysna

Nov

declared as
Disaster
areas and
R53 million
rand has
been given
for relief 123
Drilling for
water starts
124

Nov

Dec

Treated
sewerage
water pipeline
to Garden
Route Dam
approved 125
Article
informing
anglers about
the rules and
regulations
on fishing
within a lake
system 126
2010
Average
temperature
16.2oC.
Average
rainfall
693.09mm
(airport) 39

EIA
confirmed the
level at which
the estuaries
can be
breached (I3)
05 Jan
07 Jan
10 Jan

Feb

George Dam
at its lowest
due to
drought.
Successful
borehole was
sunk 127
Farmers
meet to
discuss the
water crises
114

Touw river dries up Feb

128

Mar

Article on the
proposed
plan for the
Garden
Route
National Park
129

Feb

Much needed

Mouth closed 32
Mouth open 32
Mouth closed 32

Apr

rain started
falling 130
Did a
Apr
controlled
burn around
the dam to
encourage
run-off 131;132
Another
increase in
water tariffs no notification
given to
ratepayers by
municipality
133;134

May

Problems
experienced
with wet
runway at
George
airport.
Planes had to
be redirected.
Concern was
raised on the
effect on
tourism for
the area 135
136
. Airstrip
was
upgraded 137

Jun

Mouth breached at
1.8m 32

11 Jul

Mouth closed 32

15 Jul
Nov

Soccer World
cup came to
SA 9;138
Road
between
Wilderness
and Knysna
closed due to
flooding 139
Water
restrictions
may be lifted
140

05 Nov Mouth breached

at 1.61m 32
06 Nov Mouth closed 32
10 Nov Mouth breached
at 1.62m.
Breached
prematurely to
reduce salt
intrusion into
Karatara River =
water take-off
point for
Sedgefield 32
Nov

First step
taken
towards the
implementati
on of IRT bus

service for
George
Municipal
area 141
Mouth breached at
2.13m 32
Added 400
houses to
Touwsranten
which in a
small way
impacts
negatively on
the
surrounding
area (I14) Added 30
more units to
the
retirement
home in
Hoekwil
which in a
small way
impacts
negatively on
the
surrounding
area (I14)
Municipality
received Blue

17 Dec
2011
Average
temperature
16oC.
Average
rainfall
772.6mm
(airport) 39

Mouth closed32

14 Jan

drop award
as well as
Platinum
award (I1)
Participant
had a big
flood that
came into the
lower rooms
of the house
for the first
time (I12)
Wilderness
Hotel/Karos
closes (I11)
Apr

Mouth breached at
2.12m 32

06 Feb

Mouth closed 32

08
May

Mouth breached
at 1.6m - It rose
to 1.7m 32

Area lost the

right to host
the annual
sevens world
cup 143

Area
experienced
a small
earthquake
144

Mouth closed

Richard Batson
taken to court
by SANParks
after digging a
trench in a
protected area
142
(? Instead of
+/-)

07
May

May

32

Jan

30

Before Richard
Batson dug the
trench a local
fisherman
cleaned out
the debris out
of the pipes
(I18)

PW Bothas farms
sold on auction 145
1:100 year rainfall
event. Recorded
135mm of rain in
eight hours at
Witfontein 146

Highest flood
ever at the at
houses on
edge of Touw
river
participants
house,
several
canoes were
lost and the
George
Yacht club
storerooms
got flooded
(I12; I10; I11)

Mouth opened
naturally after
heavy rainfall 32
Wilderness Rest
camp evacuated
due to flooding

May
Apr
07 Jun

08 Jun

08 Jun

32;148

Mouth closed 32
Mouth breached at
1.91m 32
Houses are
handed over to

Storms was
reported
across most
of the
Western
Cape 147

24 Jun
05 Jul
Jul

All the houses

around the
participant
flooded. Their
house is luckily
slightly on a
hill (I10)

Touwsranten
residents 149
Jul
Residents
engagement on
noise of N2 (been
going for 2 years)

Eden District
elections 150

Jul

151

Jul

Jul

Aug

Suggestions
made in a
letter to
change the
railway to a
cycle route 152
Massive
infrastructure
damage due
to flooding 153
14 children
die en-route
to their
school in
Rheenendal
154;155

Sep

SA National
Parks week
launched at
the
Wilderness
section of the
GRNP 156

Mouth closed.
Wash-over at high
tide 32

10 Nov

Mouth opened
naturally at 2.14m
after heavy rains 32

27 Nov

SANParks
facilitated a
meeting to
introduce a
proposal for a
new
hydrological
study of the
lakes(I29)

2012
Mouth closed

32

Mouth breached at
2.1m 32
Property owners
demand action
plan for river
mouth 158
Denial by
George
municipality
of e-coli issue
in estuary
(WS, 2013)

04 Jan
Jan

An article on an
innovative way
of using the
train tracks a
bicycle 157

Aug

The WKOD
released the
names of 27
schools that
they will close at
the end of the
year. One of

14 Jul

Participant
attended the
participation
round and was
surprised at
the amount of
people that

them was the

Rondevlei
Primary School
159

Yacht club
helps
SANParks
against illegal
fishing (I10)

2012 floods
were
managed
acceptably. It
was prepared
and they
could open it

Mouth closed 32

29 Aug

Mouth breached at
1.95m in response
to severe weather
warning 32;160

17 Oct

send their
children from
Smutsville to
Rondevlei as
the believe is
that they
receive a
better
education
there (I17, I18)
The
composition of
the church
have changed
over time from
predominantly
Afrikaans to
English
'inkommers'
(I14)
Big
hydrological
study on the
way (I3) - (only
proposed)
Swartvlei
mouth open
since May
2011 (WS,
2013; I29)

before any
damage
occurred
(I10) = 130ml
of rain
Wilderness beach
first beach inside a
National Park to
gain Blue Flag
status 161;162

Oct

Queries are
Oct
made in
regards to the
future of the
railway line
and the future
of the ChooTjoe 163

Current issues
in Swartvlei is
due to the
development
in the
floodplain (I6)

Touwsranten
Housing Project for
395 families
completed 164
Very few
birds noticed
this year due
to salinity of
the water
(I10)

Oct

29

Mouth closed
overtopping on
high tide 32
Level > 2000
e-coli reading
at some
places (WS,
2013)
SANParks

Interclub Yacht
Club Regatta
held at Swartvlei

23 Nov

Nov

Dec

Youth national

Sailing regatta

starts testing
for e-coli at
fortnightly
basis.
Results not
shaded (WS,
2013) (?
Instead of +/)

sail regatta at
Swartvlei 165

2013
Mouth open 2.05m

3 Feb

Jan

32

Awareness raising
on the rules and
regulations around
setting of snares

Feb

167

Lakes Bird
Club
celebrates
25th
anniversary
168

Public open day

Feb
were held in
connection with the
traffic circle that
will be built on the
N2 at the
Serpentine
intersection 169.
Promises of job
opportunities were
not kept and
Touwsranten
residents wanted

Suggestions
are made to
convert the
railway line
into a cycle
trail171

Fishermen find
42m gill net in
Swartvlei 166

at Swartvlei All
involved (WS,
2013)

to block the N2 170.

WRRA hard at
work facilitating
Wilderness
Improvement Plan

Feb

172

Mouth closed 32

21 Mar

Mar

Mar

Comments on
proposal to fill
landfill site
along N2 173
Construction on
weir in Karatara
River started 174176

Complaint about
the erosion and
unsafe condition of
the roads around
Langvlei178
Local family gets
robbed on
Kingfisher walkingtrail 180
The Greater
Wilderness
Business Initiative
(GWBI) was
established 181-183
WRRA entered

May

Mar

Voortrekkers
camp at
Swartvlei 177

Apr

Another Slow
Fest success 185

Apr

Island Road

Awareness
raising on
importance of
FPA 179

May

Apr

U3A
celebrates
10th
anniversary
184

Apr

Wilderness in the
Town of the Year
competition 181;186
Birding excursion
organised by
Lakes Bird Club at
Wilderness
National Park 188
Committee for the
newly established
Greater
Wilderness
Business Initiative
(GWBI) was
elected 189

realigned due to
erosion 187
May

May

June

Two sporting
events were
successfully
completed using
access to private
land, forestry land
and conservation
land 191;192
Residents at
Rondevlei foil
burglars attempt
due to community
actions 194
Plans are afoot to

July

July

July

March
against GMO
trial crops 190
Citizens
respond to a
request for
clearing
aliens made
by SCLI 193

re-open the Karos

Hotel 195
Various activities
are offered at
Hoekwil to raise
funds for its 100
year celebration.
One activity is
collecting all the
contact information
of all ex-residents

July

Voortrekkers
camp at
Swartvlei 197

July

Sedgefield
Ratepayers
reported back
on meeting with
municipality
raising issues of
boreholes, alien
vegetation and
several issues
with SANParks
stretching back
years 198.
SANParks
responded to
the issues 199.
An honorary
ranger also
responded to
the way the first
article was

196

Current
families in
Hoekwil is all
inkommers
(a change in
demographic
s) (I14)

SANParks officials July

were confronted by
5 men wearing
police uniforms 202

July

July

written in a letter
to the editor 200
There was a
reply written by
Sedge
Ratepayers
outlining the
route they are
taking going
forward 201
The Edge
downsizing due
to recession 203

Speed limit on
Island in
limelight again
with an
equitable
solution found
204
. Letter to the
editor a citizen
raises concern
that the
conservancy
wants to tar the
roads on the
Island 205.
Conservancy

July

July

Mouth open 2m 32

10 Aug GRNP roles

out a plan to
move away
from tourism
development
and
accommodati
on to
adventure
filled
experiences

Aug

drafted a reply
in a form of a
letter to the
editor 206
Ruigtevlei weir
gates set in
place 207
Birmingham
youths spend
time at Outward
bound (Willow
Point)
interacting with
Rondevlei
School 208
Oom Sam
passes away at
age 72. The
local councillor
described him
as the Nelson
Mandela of
Karatara 210

209

Wilderness Resort
Hotel up sale on
auction after being
closed for several
years 211 212

Aug

New
Registered
Caretaker
Campaign
launched by

Aug

Kiani Satu
disaster and the
management
around it
Clean-up after

Mouth close 32

Southern
Cape
Landowners
Initiative 213
16 Aug A report back
on the
improvement
s of proactive
responses to
disasters by
Eden
Disaster
Management

the Kiani Satu

214-216

16 Aug Mouth closed

mechanically
due to Kiani
Satu 32

217;218

SANParks hosts a
day for 100 youth
during the free
access to all
initiative 219
Wilderness beach
will enjoy Blue Flag
status again 222;223
Firefighters fight a
fire on Lakeview
Farm 224
George
municipality most
eco-friendly city in
SA 225
Mouth breached at
2.2m 32

Sept

SANParks
Week
launched in
September

Sept

Reopening of
the Swartvlei
mouth are
started 221

25 Oct

Mouth breached

220

Sept

Oct

Oct

21 Oct

32

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132. Lourens P. ... after the fire, still awaiting rain. George Herald. 2010 1 April.
133. Botha Y. Ratepayers say decision was illegal. Goerge Herald. 2010 1 April.
134. Botha Y. No George Herald, no notification. Goerge Herald. 2010 1 April.
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147. Die Burger. Storms laat Suid-Kaap steier. Die Burger. 2011 8 June.
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149. Vermaak C. Nog nuwe huiseienaars by Touwsranten. George Herald. 2011 7 July 2011.
150. Vermaak C. Eden-distriksraad se wiele rol. George Herald. 2011 7 July 2011.
151. Lourens P. Traffic noise has Wilderness residents up in arms. George Herald. 2011 7 July 2011.
152. Lourens P. Wettest weather since 1970s. George Herald. 2011 14 July 2011.
153. Gunning E. Vloedskade kan R131m. oorskry. Die Burger. 2011 12 June.
154. Gunning E. Minister sluit sentrum op George waar rampbus toets geslaag het. Die Burger. 2011 14 September.
155. Gunning E. Oggend van smart. Die Burger. 2011 25 August.
156. Thakhuli R. Date set for 2011 SA National Parks Week 2011. Available from:
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157. De Beer M. Trap-Net verskaf vervoer in die Suid-Kaap. Die Burger. 2012 10 January.
158. Wild News. Property owners want action plan for river mouth. Wild News. 2012 20 July.
159. Potgieter M, Pienaar M. Leerders huil oor skole wat moet sluit. Die Burger. 2012 17 October.
160. Kotze P. Touws River mouth breached again. SANParks Times. 2012 December.
161. SANParks Times. Nature's Valley and Wilderness honoured as SANPark's first Blue Flag beaches. SANParks Times. 2012
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162. Wilderness Ratepayers & Residents Association. November 2012 news update. The Edge. 2012 14 November
163. Gunning E. Lot van Choo-Tjoe-trein steeds onduidelik. Die Burger. 2012 5 October.
164. The Edge. Aurecon wins SAHF special merit award for Touwsranten housing project. The Edge. 2012 31 October.
165. The Edge. Youth nationals sail off to a flying start The Edge. 2012 12 December.
166. The Edge. Illegal netting on Swartvlei. The Edge. 2013 30 January.
167. Lourens P. Strik stropers aktief in Hoekwil. George Herald. 2013 14 February.
168. The Edge. Lakes Bird Club celebrates its 25th anniversary. The Edge. 2013 27 February.
169. De Beer A. Circle for Wilderness. George Herald. 2013 7 February.
170. Kirsten F. Unemployed attempt to block N2. George Herald. 2013 4 July.
171. Vermaak C. Outeniqua Cycleway - Transnet's call. George Herald. 2013 21 February.
172. Vermaak C. Going wild for improvements. George Herald. 2013 21 February.

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De Beer A. U3A George 10 years old. Mini Ads News. 2013 3 April.
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Vermaak C. Wilderness plays wild card. George Herald. 2013 25 April.
The Edge. Island road re-arranged. The Edge. 2013 10 April.
George Herald. Go birding on 4 May. George Herald. 2013 2 May 2013.
George Herald. Wilderness elects business leaders. George Herald. 2013 2 May 2013.
Falanga G. Free our food -now! Eden Express. 2013 26 June.
George Herald. X Lakes winter is here to stay. George Herald. 2013 25 July 2013.
George Herald. Local athletes dominate Big Tree Trail Run. George Herald. 2013 25 July 2013.
George Herald. Landowners clear land and create jobs. George Herald. 2013 18 July.
Da Silva L. United Rondevlei fights crime. George Herald. 2013 25 July 2013.
Lourens P. Moves afoot to re-open hotel. George Herald. 2013 25 July 2013.
Sonnekus H. Hoekwil (amper) 100 jaar oud. Eden Express. 2013 31 July 2013.
George Herald. 100'e Voortrekkers byeen vir kamp. George Herald. 2013 11 July.
The Edge. Sedge Ratepayers feedback meeting. The Edge. 2013 3 July.
The Edge. SANParks' response to Sedge Ratepayers. The Edge. 2013 17 July.
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Sonnekus H. Gate tangoes with nature. Eden Express. 2013 3 July.
Edge T. Birmingham teens at outward bound. The Edge. 2013 31 July.
Erlank I. GRNP has adventurous plans. George Herald. 2013 8 August.
The Edge. Farewell Oom Sam. The Edge. 2013 14 August.
Lourens P. Part-sale of Wilderness Resort Hotel. George Herald. 2013 29 August.
George Herald. Auction of Wilderness Resort Hotel. George Herald. 2013 5 September.
George Herald. Registered caretaker initiative for landowners launched. George Herald. 2013 8 August.
Wild News. Oil spill into nature reserve. Wild News. 2013 16 August 2013.
The Edge. Still on the rocks but in the best hands. The Edge. 2013 14 August.
Sonnekus H, Falanga G. Rice carrier runs aground. Eden Express. 2013 14 August.
Lourens P. Eden Disaster Management: significant improvements. George Herald. 2013 15 August.
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George Herald. Youth and conservation. George Herald. 2013 19 September 2013.
George Herald. SANParks Week: free entrance to park. George Herald. 2013 5 September.
George Herald. Swartvlei reopenend. George Herald. 2013 12 September.
George Herald. Wilderness will wave Blue Flag in summer. George Herald. 2013 12 September.
News MA. Wilderness will wave Blue Flag in summer. Mini Aads News. 2013 11 September.
Kirsten F. Firefighters have their hands full. George Herald. 2013 3 October.
De Beer A. Most eco-friendly city in SA. George Herald. 2013 3 October.