Events

Tokai and Silvermine to remain closed to the public

By Press Office · 762 comments

In the interest of public safety, as well as for the protection of the environmental integrity of the Silvermine and Tokai sections of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), park management decided that these two areas will remain closed to the public until further notice.

TMNP management understands that users are eager to access these areas, however they remain very sensitive and unsafe, and public use of these areas are off limits due to:

  • Smouldering and burning vegetation still needs to be extinguished and flare ups will occur as stumps and roots burn.
  • Standing trees that have been burnt or damaged by the fire are extremely dangerous as they continue to come down in the area.
  • Recently burnt veld (as well as adjacent areas) is hazardous as the fire will have burnt roots underground and foot falls may cause serious injuries.
  • Unstable slopes may result in rock falls
  • Winds and rain may exacerbate the danger with respect to falling trees, branches, rock falls and mudslides
  • Hazardous clear-felling operations of the burnt plantation trees are underway by Cape Pine
  • Disturbance to surviving animals
  • Burnt areas are sensitive as windblown seeds can be damaged and the first emerging plants can be killed by accidental trampling
  • Disturbance to sensitive erodible soils

The closure of the burnt areas will be continually assessed and reopening will only be considered once all safety and environmental issues have been addressed. For some areas this may take between six to twenty four months.

TMNP management and staff would like to assure the public that their focus is to secure the areas for the public’s safety and to as quickly as possible rehabilitate the affected sites for future use.

Please assist us by being patient and please remain out of all burnt areas while mother nature heals herself.

Comments

(Deon)

Apr 25, 2016, 11:31 AM

Sorry but thats just bitchy, counterproductive and again, pure conjecture. If you can't deal with logic, rather keep quiet.

Ah well. I saw that as more factual considering I did not see him at any of the builds, certainly in 2014. Besides, we pulled aliens on every build but then you wouldn't know this either.

 

Here's two tweets calling for help. Total (mountain biker) turnout - or should I not state the obvious?

 

 

https://twitter.com/AMA_TokaiMTB/status/690898703406764032 

dirtypot

Apr 25, 2016, 11:31 AM

At the last build day I was told not to pull out aliens, because that's not our job  :ph34r:

 

I smell a conspiracy theory...  :whistling:

(Deon)

Apr 25, 2016, 11:35 AM

At the last build day I was told not to pull out aliens, because that's not our job  :ph34r:

 

I smell a conspiracy theory...  :whistling:

Ja, not YOUR job. You were probably doing something more important like filling the bakkie or pushing heavy wheelbarrows while the rest of us made sure the beers stayed in the shade.

(Deon)

Apr 25, 2016, 11:42 AM

Point is that for there to be trails at least some of that alien thicket has to be cleared surely? TMNP don't want the aliens there (I think - more conjecture or is that a fact? :-))

That's where two guys take the lead clearing bigger debris, one brushcutter follows, then two guys with spades to dig out problem roots and a few guys behind to shape and rake the trail.

 

The alien growth really is not our problem..

Flowta

Apr 25, 2016, 11:48 AM

Well that was a good stretch of the imagination. On the last build day, how many people did you see pulling aliens? 

 

 

Ja, not YOUR job. You were probably doing something more important like filling the bakkie or pushing heavy wheelbarrows while the rest of us made sure the beers stayed in the shade.

 

 

That's where two guys take the lead clearing bigger debris, one brushcutter follows, then two guys with spades to dig out problem roots and a few guys behind to shape and rake the trail.

 

The alien growth really is not our problem..

 

 

:huh:...ok? 

Flowta

Apr 25, 2016, 11:50 AM

It was mandated to work on trails and we still didn't see much of you. If it was mandated to pull aliens, we would have a turnout of one - but only if you could make it.  

 

Who the hell do you think you are??

 

My job and family don't allow me to go to build often. When I can I go. The fact you that you haven't seen me means **** all to me.

Headshot

Apr 25, 2016, 12:13 PM

:huh:...ok? 

I think what he meant to say was the alien growth "isn't a problem" Not that its not our problem, but I'm happy with either.

 

Just means it wan't really an issue whether you pitched and pulled aliens or not ( so not sure why that comment was made). 

Headshot

Apr 25, 2016, 12:25 PM

Ah well. I saw that as more factual considering I did not see him at any of the builds, certainly in 2014. Besides, we pulled aliens on every build but then you wouldn't know this either.

 

Here's two tweets calling for help. Total (mountain biker) turnout - or should I not state the obvious?

 

 

https://twitter.com/AMA_TokaiMTB/status/690898703406764032 

Deon, you have a low opinion of your fellow cyclists. Not the ideal attitude for an MTB rep I'd say.  

 

Very nice tweets but we weren't invited to Rebello's alien pull were we? That's an after the fact tweet. I have never seen an invite or those tweets of yours.  In fact if mountain bikers want to look around Tokai they get fined for entering illegally. I guess if they had a pulling permit, all would have been okay? And its amazing how all those civilians were safely able to negotiate the dangerous tree fellers and falling trees to access Tokai to pull some aliens. Maybe an invite from TMNP to have a look around and pull some aliens out to the MTB community would have got a better result? 

Mntboy

Apr 25, 2016, 12:47 PM

yeah but Dave, you're one of the few that will actually follow that up and pitch on the day... You have to admit that the ratio of physically active vs verbally active is so low it's laughable. If you say "we're pulling aliens this weekend" it'll be even worse...

Who the hell do you think you are??

 

My job and family don't allow me to go to build often. When I can I go. The fact you that you haven't seen me means **** all to me.

Interesting juxtaposition that's at the heart of the matter. I wonder how many of us sit with the same choice when there's a build day or AGM looming? It's definitely important for people to be involved in their families than any other thing for the rather obvious exception of work. Being involved in the community is important also though. So ultimately each one of us need to find that balance.

 

Sent from my GT-S6790 using Tapatalk

Eddy Gordo

Apr 25, 2016, 12:51 PM

this the first time i see info regarding the alien pull. I also just brushed it off when I saw Tony Rebelo's name. 

gwhite

Apr 25, 2016, 12:54 PM

Ah well. I saw that as more factual considering I did not see him at any of the builds, certainly in 2014. Besides, we pulled aliens on every build but then you wouldn't know this either.

 

Here's two tweets calling for help. Total (mountain biker) turnout - or should I not state the obvious?

 

 

https://twitter.com/AMA_TokaiMTB/status/690898703406764032 

 

How can we get involved in these alien pulls/pulling?

(Deon)

Apr 25, 2016, 1:01 PM

How can we get involved in these alien pulls/pulling?

Great question. I think they are working in the lower plantation again but with enough response they can organize an upper slopes effort. Friends of Tokai Park meet every second Thursday (I think it's Thursday) and there is usually a few days notice on their Facebook page. TokaiMTB also retweets and shares any work that gets done on the upper slopes so you have a few places where the info is passed on.
Headshot

Apr 25, 2016, 1:04 PM

Great question. I think they are working in the lower plantation again but with enough response they can organize an upper slopes effort. Friends of Tokai Park meet every second Thursday (I think it's Thursday) and there is usually a few days notice on their Facebook page. TokaiMTB also retweets and shares any work that gets done on the upper slopes so you have a few places where the info is passed on.

Where's the specific invite to the MTB community to get involved? Come on make it happen Deon - we'll all come and pull. Or is it really all irrelevant but a convenient issue to berate the MTB community with? 

Captain Fastbastard Mayhem

Apr 25, 2016, 1:06 PM

Where's the specific invite to the MTB community to get involved? Come on make it happen Deon - we'll all come and pull. Or is it really all irrelevant but a convenient issue to berate the MTB community with? 

Here, for one:

 

http://www.facebook.com/tokaimtb/posts/437191629807924

 

 

Then on Tweeeeeta. 

(Deon)

Apr 25, 2016, 1:11 PM

Deon, you have a low opinion of your fellow cyclists. Not the ideal attitude for an MTB rep I'd say.

 

Very nice tweets but we weren't invited to Rebello's alien pull were we? That's an after the fact tweet. I have never seen an invite or those tweets of yours. In fact if mountain bikers want to look around Tokai they get fined for entering illegally. I guess if they had a pulling permit, all would have been okay? And its amazing how all those civilians were safely able to negotiate the dangerous tree fellers and falling trees to access Tokai to pull some aliens. Maybe an invite from TMNP to have a look around and pull some aliens out to the MTB community would have got a better result?

I think as individuals we also have some responsibility of finding out. You were most definitely invited. It's one of the few places you are not a walker, walker with dog, horse rider, mountain biker, anything other than someone who cares.

 

you are welcome to look around where the group is working as much as you like.

Surv0MTB

Apr 25, 2016, 1:23 PM

I do actually remember that Facebook post go up.. was out of town at the time but do remember it.

 

Eddy Gordo

Apr 25, 2016, 1:25 PM

Sorry man, things like this should be posted in a place like this where it affects a cycling community. Although I have a facebook and a twitter account, I hardly ever actually make use of it. Cycling and 4x4 forums and then everything else is work. There is just no time for other online communities and dont want any other time available to these time suck tell everyone what you are up websites.

 

People that really wanna get hold of me either call, sms, whatsapp or email me.

 

Not that I could help anyway, but I most likely could have contributed to someones wage for the day to do the work

Headshot

Apr 25, 2016, 1:28 PM

I think as individuals we also have some responsibility of finding out. You were most definitely invited. It's one of the few places you are not a walker, walker with dog, horse rider, mountain biker, anything other than someone who cares.

 

you are welcome to look around where the group is working as much as you like.

Whaaat are you on? I was most definitely invited? Utter nonsense. Never seen an invite or did I fail to follow FB or twitter closely enough. What does your third sentence actually mean?

 

Come on, stop telling MTBers how *** they are and organize a meet in upper Tokai where we can come and show TMNP (and you) how we feel about aliens and the trails? 

 

And try and understand how the pullers can access a supposedly deadly part of the mountain but we can't. And get the stats on tree fellers killed and machinery destroyed during the logging process. 

 

edit - just read the FB post for the first time. So no I wasn't personally invited. Had I seen this I may well have joined in just to get access to Tokai to see what the trails look like. 

 

Funny how they talk about an indemnity for the pullers - the same indemnity all cyclists could sign to get access and which would cover TMNP in case they were injured while riding. 

 

The more you see the more it stinks.

DJR

Apr 25, 2016, 1:59 PM

this the first time i see info regarding the alien pull. I also just brushed it off when I saw Tony Rebelo's name. 

Tony Rebelo is the possibly THE expert on fynbos and the conservation thereof. What he says get listened to. Whether you like him or not, brushing him off is always going to be at your own peril. Working with him (as some of those getting severely criticized here have done) made us mountain bikers a friend in conservation circles. Who knows how valuable that will be when we want to build single track through the new fynbos? Just saying! :)

Shebeen

Apr 25, 2016, 2:23 PM

FYI  - has to be in by next wednesday

 

https://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/

 

 

Comment period
The document is open for comment from 04 April 2016 to 04 May 2016
Where to submit your comments
Planning@cndv.co.za
For attention: Simon Nicks
Or, delivered to TMNP Tokai Manor Park office by 04th May 2016.

Eddy Gordo

Apr 25, 2016, 2:49 PM

Tony Rebelo is the possibly THE expert on fynbos and the conservation thereof. What he says get listened to. Whether you like him or not, brushing him off is always going to be at your own peril. Working with him (as some of those getting severely criticized here have done) made us mountain bikers a friend in conservation circles. Who knows how valuable that will be when we want to build single track through the new fynbos? Just saying! :)

Last time, correct me if I am wrong but only people in the tokai area were invited. Was it the same this time?

Why hasnt the invite been put out to the town? announced on a radio station, some of them would willingly or at least a DJ would plug the need for volunteers.

Anyways, someone will eventually say, if you really interested in helping blah blah blah then you would make an effort to stay in touch etc.

 

I have signed up on the Tokai Mtb Web page a long time back to receive notifications. I have only received one email notice to date. 

 

The process is flawed some where along the lines, and to get upset when a small amount of people show up for a build or an alien pulling event is not necessary.

Surv0MTB

Apr 25, 2016, 2:55 PM

Catch 22. I think publicly advertising this could work against the whole drive. Imagine if too many people pitch and have to be turned away. That would be the end of it.

DJR

Apr 25, 2016, 3:04 PM

 

..................and to get upset when a small amount of people show up for a build or an alien pulling event is not necessary.

Not upset, pinkie promise! ;)

The only point I wanted to make is this: Working with Tony Rebelo, the Friends of Tokai and the Honorary Rangers, will win us an ally and that is always good, much better than having them as enemies or indifferent to our cause (to get trails).  :)

(Deon)

Apr 25, 2016, 3:09 PM

Last time, correct me if I am wrong but only people in the tokai area were invited. Was it the same this time?

Why hasnt the invite been put out to the town? announced on a radio station, some of them would willingly or at least a DJ would plug the need for volunteers.

Anyways, someone will eventually say, if you really interested in helping blah blah blah then you would make an effort to stay in touch etc.

 

I have signed up on the Tokai Mtb Web page a long time back to receive notifications. I have only received one email notice to date. 

 

The process is flawed some where along the lines, and to get upset when a small amount of people show up for a build or an alien pulling event is not necessary.

No-one is getting upset. I've been organising builds and other things for years, somedays we get 30 others 2..  I highly doubt a lack of enthusiasm around pulling aliens will make me cry.

 

I could be wrong but I'm sure you showed interest at one point on getting involved? I still replied and explained that the Friends of Tokai group could be the way in for people interested in helping and having a look. Your avatar makes me think it was you but maybe not.

 

Then on the issue of who is invited. Why does an open invitation need to be exclusive? That just does not make any sense. Sure, some people are looking for personal invitations but volunteering doesn't work that way. If you want to help, there are resources where people can find out how to get involved - It could even be the library notice board but we have progressed from those days, thankfully. How many of us still go to the library?

 

How the groups decides to advertised is really up to them. Facebook is easy and convenient and has quite a wide reach, wider than the hub it must be said. TokaiMTB is still happy to link articles back to the hub through twitter and fb. 

(Deon)

Apr 25, 2016, 3:13 PM

How can we get involved in these alien pulls/pulling?

Sorry, I said earlier it was Thursday, it's Tuesdays.. have a look/like at their page. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTokaiPark/?fref=ts

 

I bumped into Tony once in Lower Tokai on a Thursday and decided just to get stuck in, hence the confusion...

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