L VVRA Newsletter October 2016 VVRA Committee Marianne Nel - Chairperson Carol Thornton - Secretary Sue Klingenberg - Treasurer Hein de Kock - Infrastructure Carol Barnes - Greens Fran Stone - Social Paul Mann - Social Michael Pillay - Security Ayanda Maqanda - Security Paul Mann - Security Ayanda Maqanda - Enterprise Carol Thornton - Recycling (S@S) Facebook Twitter Email Website Whatsapp your details and email address to 082-460-8662 to join the VVRA Discussion groups and Alert groups. Let’s stand together and work together ...... Dear Vorna Valley Residents We are sure that everyone was happy with the bit of rain we received recently, and even though it didn’t fill up the Vaal dam, it was a bit of a relief on usage as residents didn’t have to water their gardens. So please, make sure that you keep to the water restrictions. 1. No use of any irrigation or sprinkler systems for watering of gardens with municipal water. Watering only before 06h00 or after 18h00 with a hand held hose pipe. 2. No filling of pools with municipal water. Top up to allow filter to work only. It is recommended that pool owners invest in a cover as this significantly reduces evaporation – which is at over 1.2 metres per annum for the average pool. 3. No washing of cars and cleaning paved areas with a hose pipe using municipal water. It is requested that residents continue to assist the JMPD in tracking down transgressors. The 24/7 number is 011 758-9650. We would like to say thank you to Steven of Platinum Residential for sponsoring the 1st Prize of the Vlei Clean-up 2016 photo competition. Congratulations to the 1st and 2nd Prize winners. May you spend the money wisely. Vorna Valley Vlei Clean-up 2016 Photo competition winners! Please don’t forget to R E C Y C L E ! ! Organic Compost Sales 2016/343688/07 73 Robin road Vorna Valley Tel: 083 602-9731 Email: [email protected]100% WEED FREE ORGANIC COMPOST It’s that time of the year again, and Santa has confirmed that he will be visiting the children of Vorna Valley on Saturday 3rd December at the Swiss Country Club, 31 Moerdyk St. Vorna Valley from 09h00 to 11h00. Parents are asked to please let us know if their children will be participating by e-mailing info@vvra. co.za with the following information:- 1. Child’s first name, surname, age, gender. 2. Parent’s name, surname, address, and e-mail address and a contact number for on the day for just in case the weather delays Santa. Parents are requested to buy a gift for each of their children not exceeding R 250 per gift. Gifts should please be wrapped with the child’s name clearly and securely attached. We will advise parents as to where the gifts can be dropped off a few days prior to the big visit. Santa has suggested that we have jumping castles. PLEASE let us know by 21 November 2016 if your children will be partaking in this Santa 2016 Event. There will be a R75 donation towards the VVRA per child. Part of this will be used for a sweet pack for each child. Santa to visit Vorna Valley again on 3 December 2016
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VVRA NewsletterOctober 2016
VVRA CommitteeMarianne Nel - Chairperson Carol Thornton - SecretarySue Klingenberg - Treasurer Hein de Kock - InfrastructureCarol Barnes - GreensFran Stone - Social Paul Mann - SocialMichael Pillay - SecurityAyanda Maqanda - SecurityPaul Mann - SecurityAyanda Maqanda - EnterpriseCarol Thornton - Recycling (S@S)
Facebook Twitter Email Website
Whatsapp your details and email address to 082-460-8662 to join the VVRA Discussion groups and Alert groups.
Let’s stand together and work together......
Dear Vorna Valley ResidentsWe are sure that everyone was happy with the bit of rain we received recently, and even though it didn’t fill up the Vaal dam, it was a bit of a relief on usage as residents didn’t have to water their gardens.
So please, make sure that you keep to the water restrictions. 1. No use of any irrigation or sprinkler systems for watering of gardens with municipal water. Watering only before 06h00 or after 18h00 with a hand held hose pipe. 2. No filling of pools with municipal water. Top up to allow filter to work only. It is recommended that pool owners invest in a cover as this significantly reduces evaporation – which is at over 1.2 metres per annum for the average pool. 3. No washing of cars and cleaning paved areas with a hose pipe using municipal water.
It is requested that residents continue to assist the JMPD in tracking down transgressors. The 24/7 number is 011 758-9650.
We would like to say thank you to Steven of Platinum Residential for sponsoring the 1st Prize of the Vlei Clean-up 2016 photo competition.
Congratulations to the 1st and 2nd Prize winners. May you spend the money wisely.
Vorna Valley Vlei Clean-up 2016 Photo competition winners!
It’s that time of the year again, and Santa has confirmed that he will be visiting the children of Vorna Valley on Saturday 3rd December at the Swiss Country Club, 31 Moerdyk St. Vorna Valley from 09h00 to 11h00.Parents are asked to please let us know if their children will be participating by e-mailing [email protected] with the following information:- 1. Child’s first name, surname, age, gender.2. Parent’s name, surname, address, and e-mail address and a contact number for on the day for just in case the weather delays Santa.Parents are requested to buy a gift for each of their children not exceeding R 250 per gift. Gifts should please be wrapped with the child’s name clearly and securely attached. We will advise parents as to where the gifts can be dropped off a few days prior to the big visit.Santa has suggested that we have jumping castles.PLEASE let us know by 21 November 2016 if your children will be partaking in this Santa 2016 Event.There will be a R75 donation towards the VVRA per child. Part of this will be used for a sweet pack for each child.
Santa to visit Vorna Valley again on 3 December 2016
We would like to let all residents know that the Swiss Country Club on Moerdyk Street is not just for members. Anyone can go there for a good meal. They support the VVRA and it would be wonderful if residents support them.
We urge residents who keep bees on their property to understand that it is illegal to do so according to
the by-laws.One of our r e s i d e n t s has fallen victim to angry bees kept on the neighbour’s p r o p e r t y and as a result of this, one of his dogs has passed
away due to the bee stings it had to endure. The lack of consideration for neighbours is disconcerting. What if it had been a child? What if it had been your child?
By-law Requirements for keeping of bees (1) No person may keep bees on any premises unless –(a) that person is the holder of a permit authorising that activity; and(b) every bee hive is situated –(i) a minimum of five metres from any boundary of the premises; and
(ii) a minimum of twenty metres from any public place or building used for human habitation or from any place used for the keeping of animals, poultry and birds;(c) the bees are kept in an approved bee hive; and(d) the bee hive is –(i) kept in an area inaccessible to children and animals;
(ii) kept in the shade at all times; and(iii) supplied with a source of drinking water within five metres of the hive.(2) No person may dump or deposit any garbage, compost, grass cuttings or manure within five metres of any bee hive.
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Vorna Valley street gardensOrganic Compost on Robin Road donated a truck load of compost to the VVRA, which was used at the Greig street garden and the Harry Galaun/Elizabeth Fry Street garden.The Garden on Harry Galaun corner Elizabeth Fry that was sponsored by Platinum Residential, has been excavated by JWater several times over the past few years. To help make the area look attractive again, we ask residents who can donate indigenous, water hardy plants for this project to please let us know so we can start planting and making the area greener and beautiful for all. We are happy to collect plants from residents. Email [email protected].
JWater on le Roux
There was a major burst water pipe again on le Roux by the Vlei. JWater worked through the night and the next day to get the pipe fixed, which had broken in two areas.
Water Crisiss in Vorna ValleyReceiving no prior warning, Vorna Valley and other parts of Midrand were left without water this past weekend. We believe that residents don’t realise the severity of our current water situation. People are still washing cars with hose pipes, watering gardens in the heat of the day instead of before 6am or after 6pm, spraying down their drive ways. These people are either ignorant of the situation or just plain selfish. If you are using a borehole you need to have a sign outside your property saying as much. People aren’t reporting water leaks and leave it for the next person to report. We loose thousands and thousands of kilo liters due to water leaks and if you see one, please, please report it immediately so that it isn’t left for hours and hours to waste water. JWater on 011-375-5555 or [email protected].
We therefore ask that every single resident be WATER WISE. Inform your neighbours if they are misusing water, and if they carry on misusing water, take photos and report them immediately. It is everyone’s duty to help save water where we can so that we don’t sit with a situation like we had this past weekend again.
For advertising
in our newsletter,
please see
page 7.
Donations and
Sponsorships are
most welcome to
help keep Vorna
Valley CLEAN!!
Halloween in the Bird Named Streets
Page 4
For advertising
in our newsletter,
please see
below.
Donations and
Sponsorships are
most welcome to
help keep Vorna
Valley CLEAN!!
We are very pleased with the tonnage for September 2016. If every resident that partakes in this project, brings a new resident onboard, we could double the tonnage, so we kindly request that each and everyone make an effort to bring other non recycling residents onboard. Please send details to [email protected] to join this project.
Separation @ Source (S@S) recycling
Growing Bunny Problem in MidrandThere is a growing Feral rabbit population in Midrand. Feral rabbits are former pets, or descendants of former pets, that were abandoned by their owners and are now considered undomesticated.Some people seem to think that rabbits are disposable pets. But abandoning your pet rabbit anywhere, is not only irresponsible and inhumane, it’s illegal. Rabbit abandonment and its consequences is a community-wide issue that requires community-wide solutions. Although rabbits will always have a presence in Midrand, we as a community can try and curb the growing feral population. Please do not buy rabbits as pets without full consideration. Always have your pet Bunnies sterilized. Do not abandon your pet bunny. Consider having feral bunnies trapped, sterilized and released. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Vorna Valley Animal Hospital.
Dr DJ Davies (BVSc), Dr P de Jager (BVSc), Dr MT Joubert (BVSc) and Prof R Meintjes (PhD)8 Le Roux Ave, MidrandTel: 0118053054, 0118053055 Cell: [email protected]; https://www.facebook.com/vornavalleyvet/
011-375-55550860 56 28 74http://citypower.mobiwww.citypower.co.za and click“Fault Reporting”
For our little residents…. A bit of info on our bird street names….BosduifBosduif in english = African olive pigeon : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_olive_pigeon
The African olive pigeon or Rameron pigeon (Columba arquatrix) is a pigeon which is a breeding bird in much of eastern and southern Africa from Ethiopia to the Cape. They are also found in western Angola, southwestern Saudi Arabia and northern Yemen. It is locally common, although sizeable gaps in its distribution occur due to its habitat requirements.The adult male African olive pigeon is a large pigeon at 37 to 42 cm in length and a weight of 300 to 450 g. Its back and wings are maroon, with the shoulders heavily speckled with white spots. The underparts are maroon with heavy white spotting, and the head is grey with yellow patches around the eye, and a yellow bill. The neck plumage, used in display, is streaked maroon and white, the underwing and under-tail are dark grey, and the feet are yellow.The male has a display consisting of deep bows, and a display flight which consists of a climb, wing clapping, and slow glide down.Females are very similar but somewhat duller. Juvenile birds have the maroon and grey replaced with dark brown, the bare parts are a dull greenish-yellow, and the wing feathers have pale fringes. In flight, this pigeon looks very dark. Its flight is quick, with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings which are characteristic of pigeons in general. The call is a loud coo coo.This is a species use mountain fynbos, clearings, and feed on any agricultural land.
The African olive pigeon feeds on fruit and berries, mainly picked in the canopy, but it will also descend for fallen fruit and take in some insects and caterpillars. In the south of its range, it favours the fruit of a highly invasive plant, the bugweed, Solanum mauritianum. Birds fly considerable distances from their roosts to feeding areas, and young or nonbreeding birds form flocks.The African olive pigeon builds a large stick nest up to 15 m high in a tree and lays one (rarely two) white eggs. The eggs are incubated for 17–20 days to hatching, and the chicks fledge in another 20 days.The African olive pigeon feeds on fruit and berries, mainly picked in the canopy, but it will also descend for fallen fruit and take in some insects and caterpillars. In the south of its range, it favours the fruit of a highly invasive plant, the bugweed, Solanum mauritianum. Birds fly considerable distances from their roosts to feeding areas, and young or nonbreeding birds form flocks.So Junior Residents – please tell us which Vorna Valley Bird Street name you want to read about in the next news letter.
Common name: Cat’s claw creeper Scientific name: Dolichandra unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) Alternative common names:Katteklouranker (Afrikaans), amaziphekati (isiZulu & isiXhosa)
The cat’s claw creeper Dolichandra (syn. M a c f a d y e n a ) unguis-cati is an invasive e v e r g r e e n climber, climbing as high as 9m with claw-like tendrils between the bright green oblong to lance-shaped leaves,
which have a terminal, three-part, claw-like tendril. The bright yellow flowers appear from September to February and are trumpet-shaped, occurring in clusters of two or three, sometimes solitary. Flattened, brown leathery capsules hold the winged, papery seeds. This climber invades forest margins, woodlands, plantations, roadsides and urban open spaces.Where does this species come from?South America (Mexico to Argentina) What is its invasive status in South Africa?Existing legislation: CARA 2002 – Category 1 NEMBA – Category 1b Where in South Africa is it a problem?KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng How does it spread?
Pod-like capsules split opens and release the winged seeds Why is it a problem?Overtops, strangles and smothers indigenous forest and plantation species What does it look like?General description: Evergreen climber climbing as high as 9m with claw-like tendrils between the leaves. Leaves: Bright green oblong to lance-shaped leaves with a terminal, three-part, claw-like tendril. Flowers: Bright yellow flowers appearing from September to February, which are trumpet-shaped and up to 80mm long x 100mm wide and occurring in clusters of two or three, sometimes solitary. Fruit/Seeds: Flattened brown leathery capsules up to 300 mm or longer which split open to release the winged, papery seeds Plant me instead alternativesCanary creeper (Senecio tamoides), black-eyed susan (Thunbergia alata), traveller’s joy (Clematis brachiata)http://www.invasives.org.za/legislation/item/278-cats-claw-creeper-dolichandra-unguis-cati
Just wanted to share my experience last week with Kleen Bin – I know many residents have had bad experiences with the previous owners of Kleen Bin who were supposed to be servicing the area last year…… However Kleen Bin is owned and being run by different people who REALLY CARE…
At about 15h30 last Thursday my door-bell rang and it was the gentleman from Kleen Bin who (had been waiting in the boiling heat for pikitup to collect so that he could clean) and he asked if I could please give him two garbage bags so that he could bag the contents of my bin (which he kindly took to the dump) so that he could clean my bin – we are the only house-hold in Kwartel St using the service and as such the only house who had a Kleen Bin on Thursday night – a service which I highly recommend…. Smells clean/germ free / no flies and it lasts the entire week.
The gentleman said their service supports recycling --- so lets all do our bit for our Vorna Valley environment …. Please contact Carol Thornton - [email protected], so that she can arrange for bags to be delivered to your home ----- it’s easy and doesn’t cost anymore than what we are all paying alreadyLets keep it clean
Kleen Bin and Recycling
Our SponsorsWendy Redl from Harcourts Residential Properties sponsored the garden and balls on Greig street and one day a week for a cleaner, and bottled water for the Vlei Clean up - 2015 and 2016.
Wolfgang Wollauz of The Courier at the Swiss Country Club accommodates the VVRA meetings and AGMs
Steven McLaren of Platinum Residential sponsors one day a week for a cleaner and Platinum sponsored the garden on Harry Galaun/Elizabeth Fry.
The Vorna Valley Shopping Centre sponsors one day a week for a cleaner to keep the shopping centre’s pavement clean and tidy.
Eugene Vorster of Central Developments sponsors two days a week for a cleaner.
Heaven’s Kitchen supplies our cleaners with lunch
Veggie Divine Foods sponsored the replacement gate to the Vorna Valley Vlei on le Roux Ave.
Midway Mica sponsors locks for the Vorna Valley Vlei from time to time and the loan of their bolt cutter.
Mark McDonald of Firzt Realty sponsored gloves at the Vlei Clean Up 2015 and 2016
Paul Mann of AV Unlimited supplied the sound system for our 2015 and 2016 AGM.
The Vorna Valley SPAR sponsored cooldrinks for our yearly Vlei Clean-up 2015 and 2016.
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Netcare 911 supported our yearly Vlei Clean-up 2015 and 2016
TRSS sponsored security for our yearly Vlei Clean-up 2016.
ADT supported our yearly Vlei Clean-up 2016
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