A newly discovered plant has halted future developments on Botmaskop Nature Reserve grounds.
This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager at Stellenbosch Municipality.
Local developers have begun removing invasive and alien plant species in Botmaskop to restore the area’s natural biodiversity and preserve the recently discovered Moraea Anastasia, an endangered plant species indigenous to Stellenbosch, he said.
No development permitted
“We are pleased to note that the developer has already begun seeding natural flora in certain areas around the reservoir as part of this process,” said Grobbelaar. “It is essential to emphasise that, in line with a council resolution, no development will be permitted in the specific area where the plant was discovered.”
The Moraea Anastasia was confirmed to be in the nature reserve under chopped down pine trees in early October 2024, following botany research by Dr Brian du Preez, currently a Smuts Fellowship post-doctoral student at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Pine trees at Botmaskop Nature Reserve are currently being chopped down as part of the removal of invasive and alien plant species, said Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager at Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Casey-Lee Anthony
Area to be rehabilitated to original indigenous state
“The municipality plans to rehabilitate the area to its original indigenous state,” said Grobbelaar.
The plant was discovered on municipal ground and not on the Botmaskop Estate, according to Grobbelaar.
A ‘land swap’ was adopted by council to prevent “any further developments on the site in the future, safeguard the natural environment, restore the fauna and flora to its original state, and ensure unhindered public access to the nature area and walkways”, said Grobbelaar.
“This approval followed a comprehensive public participation process, ensuring the community’s voices were heard,” said Grobbelaar. “The public participation period was advertised on 19 April 2024 and concluded on 17 May 2024.”
There are a few hundred indigenous plant species in the local area, with at least five thus far being endangered, according to botanist Dr Brian du Preez. PHOTO: Casey-Lee Anthony
Discovery of new plant species
In an interview with SMF News, Du Preez said he had initially discovered the plant in 2013 on a walk around the area.
“I didn’t take too much note of it, just took a few photos and left it there,” said Du Preez. “But last year specifically – because of the Botmaskop development – I sort of wanted to get an idea of what plants are possibly in the area.”
Du Preez then returned in October 2024 to get an idea of what plants were in the area, which is when he rediscovered it.
The plant, which is currently indigenous to Stellenbosch and one of five critically endangered plants in the area, only emerges after autumn rains, and blooms in late September each year for a short period of time, said Du Preez.
The recently discovered Moraea Anastasia in bloom in September. PHOTO: Supplied/Brian du Preez
For the indigenous plants to come back, an ecological burn in the area is needed to stimulate the seeds, as a lot of famous species are dependent on fire for seed germination, according to Du Preez.
“There’s still seeds of other species below the ground that are waiting for the fire to come back,” he said.
Upon walking around in search of the Morea Anastasia on 10 March, SMF News spoke to Innocent Mutsago, a resident at Botmaskop Estate who was walking his dogs in search of the plant as well.
“I have been searching for the plant for [the past] three days,” said Mutsago.
He showed excitement for the discovery of a new plant species, and added that he had no luck finding it but will try to find it again in its next season of bloom.