This year’s AGM was a special occasion as we celebrated 10 years of active project implementation, alongside highlighting the impactful work of the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy across a range of environmental projects. What started with the employment of our first 3 full-time staff members has grown into a thriving organization, now employing 10 full-time, while creating contract work for over 120 people annually.
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A Decade of Alien Clearing
One of our most significant achievements over the past decade has been our alien clearing program. Since 2014, we’ve successfully cleared 18,823 hectares, with follow-ups on 15,870 hectares, creating over 100,747 days of employment. On average, this translates to 43 full-time jobs each year. This program not only provides job opportunities but also ensures the preservation and health of our local ecosystems, protecting them from alien invasive species and providing the natural vegetation to grow back.

​Expanding into Restoration
Thanks to funding from the IKI small grant and IUCN, our restoration projects have expanded over the past year. The restoration work supports sustainable agricultural practices, healthier river systems, job opportunities, and capacity building. These efforts are crucial for climate stability and river security, as well as for maintaining biodiversity. We've trained over 20 people in restoration work where half of the time is spent working within a nursery, how to propagate local indigenous species, how to do cuttings and splitting, and the correct planting methods.
Our work in active restoration spans 3 different sites, including private landowners and public areas, showcasing diversity, in both species and partnerships, which is key to building environmental resilience.

​Keynote Address: River Restoration and Agriculture
Our keynote speaker, Dana Grobler, shared his invaluable insights on river restoration, using his experience with various river systems as an example. Dana’s talk focused on the impact of agriculture on the environment, particularly on river systems, and how sustainable practices can mitigate these effects. He emphasized the importance of understanding river geomorphology and the natural flood zones to implement effective restoration strategies. His close collaboration with landowners has resulted in improvements to their local environment and enhanced the health of their rivers.
Through the removal of invasive species and better management of sediment transport, Dana's efforts have shown how landowners can contribute to restoring riparian zones, creating a balance that benefits both the environment and the agricultural landscape.

​A Journey Through Time with Thys Swart
Another highlight of the day was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, presented by one of our members, Thys Swart. Thys captivated the audience with stories about the rich history of theGrootvadersbosch Valley, dating back to the 1700s. He shared fascinating tales about the first settlers, the old farms, and how the conservancy has evolved over the centuries. This historical perspective added depth to the celebration and left everyone feeling more connected to the land we are working to protect.

New Projects and Looking Ahead
We’re excited to announce our upcoming three-year project, funded by the Nedbank Green Trust, which will focus on water resource protection in the Tradouw and Huis river systems. This project is a continuation of our partnership with the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve and aims to further our conservation and restoration efforts in the region.
Additionally, we’ve recently assisted to restoration the Barrydale Caravan Park, which now features a medicinal and useful plant garden, indigenous tree rehabilitation, and a picnic area. This area serves both as a conservation effort and a recreational space for the community to enjoy.
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The Future is Bright
As we look forward, we remain committed to furthering our restoration and conservation work. We are proud of what we have achieved over the past decade and are excited about the future projects we have planned. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Together, we are building a more sustainable and resilient environment for the Grootvadersbosch area and beyond.

And as always, we had a wonderful wine tasting the evening of the fabulous Olifantsberg Wines and a fantastic meal from the Grootvadersbosch Farm that Michelle Moodie prepared

Thank you to everyone who attended! 

​Ever wondered what it's like to dangle 100 metres in the air, with just a rope keeping you from gravity’s grip? Well, welcome to high-angle rope work—where everyday tasks like washing windows or alien clearing take place in the sky!
Picture this: You're strapped in, harness tight, helmet snug. Below, the world looks small as you pull yourself up, one line at a time. The sunshine on your face and the only sounds are the creak of your gear and your own heartbeat. It’s not just work—it’s a vertical adventure!
From skyscrapers to cliffs, high-angle work gives you views that no desk job ever could. And yes, the adrenaline? That’s just a bonus.
Ready to hang out?

These are the words from our quality controller - Philip Daries - who recently acquired his High-Angle Training. With this training and knowledge he can ensure our high altitude teams are save and implementing the correct procedures.  

What Exactly Is High-Angle Rope Work?
Ever looked up at a building or cliff and spotted someone hanging from a rope, casually working away as if gravity isn't a thing? Yep, that’s high-angle rope work—a job that mixes equal parts adrenaline, skill, and a love for heights. Let’s dive in (safely, with a harness on!) to what makes this job both thrilling and practical.
Imagine trying to remove alien plants on a cliff in the mountain range —only it’s hundreds of metres above ground, and no piece of equipment or ledge is safe enough. That’s where rope work comes in. Using specialised equipment like harnesses, ropes, ascenders, and carabiners, professionals safely access hard-to-reach spots by dangling like adventurous human spiders. This isn't your everyday desk job—think of it as extreme multitasking at great heights!
We had the privilege to receive first-hand training from a matured technician in his field with decades of experience, Mr. Dion Tromp from High-angle Rescue and Access. With decades of experience, he shared his experiences and knowledge with us as we embarked on a new journey. Emphasising that safety comes first and that ropework is not time-based but rather safety-based. “Take your time as long as you are safe while dangling”, as he would exclaim. In partnership with the GCBR, the conservancy recently made their training space available to train 15 number of people in rope access. We also used the opportunity to offer a refresher training to our active rope access teams and train a new supervisor to oversee the work. The GVBCT has been implementing rope access work in the Korente-Vette River gorge for the past 3 years.

The Gear: It’s More Than Just a Fancy Rope
Sure, the rope is important (really important!), but there’s a whole array of gear designed to keep workers secure and comfortable while they dangle mid-air. Here’s a quick rundown of the essentials:

• Harness: Think of it as your security blanket, but way cooler. This hugs your body tight, keeping you snug and attached to the ropes while keeping all your equipment on you secure.

​Screw-gate Carabiners: These little metal clips are your lifeline—literally! They secure the ropes to your harness, and their job is to make sure everything stays attached and connected.

• Ascenders & Descenders: Fancy tools that help you go up and down like a superhero. Ascenders lock in place when you pull yourself up, while descenders let you glide down smoothly (or as gracefully as you can manage).

​The first image is an I’D used for descending and counts as 1 point. The next piece of equipment is a Jumar followed by the Croll, used for ascending. These two are used together and count as 1 point accumulatively.

​What Does a Day Look Like for a High-Angle Rope Worker?
Spoiler alert: It’s not all death-defying stunts and dramatic scaling of mountains. Though, to be honest, some days might be exactly like that! A typical day might involve checking equipment, setting up anchor points, and making sure everything is secure before even stepping off the ground.
With this training experience, we can now ensure that every worker knows exactly how to operate when it comes to high-angle work. Every movement is calculated because at 100 meters up, there’s no room for error. Workers must trust their gear, their skills, and their teammates. When doing site inspections (with this knowledge) that’s exactly what we’ll be looking at. Ensuring the safety of the team is the FIRST priority.

​Why Choose Rope Access Over Traditional Methods?
Good question! Rope work is expensive work because the training and equipment are very costly but, in the long run, it is really important and can be safer than trying to do the work without ropes. Imagine preparing to remove a tree on a ledge but you must walk and cling on for dear life when doing it—now imagine just clipping into a rope and rappelling down in half the time. It’s also less intrusive, allowing workers to keep operating without bulky equipment blocking the way. The work is essential to reach the hard to get to places in the mountains and is much safer. This allows us to do our job more efficiently and more accurately, instead of clearing an area while leaving 2 or 3 trees.
 
Final Thoughts: Rope Work—For the Brave at Heart
If you’ve ever wanted a job that’s anything but ordinary, high-angle rope work might just be for you. It’s the perfect blend of technical skill, physical fitness, and, well, hanging out in the sky! Whether it’s fixing things in high places, keeping mountains clear of invasives, or inspecting hard-to-reach areas, these sky-walking professionals keep everything running smoothly—all while having the best view in the house.
Now, who’s ready to go for a (safe) climb?