There were 52 volunteers, men, women and children who came to do their bit in clearing the cacti infesting the Aloe Trail – on the hills between the City and Klein Windhoek.   Old and young, students from Deutsche Höhere Privat Schule, St Pauls, UNAM, members of NEWS (Namibia Environmental & Wildlife Society), staff of the National Botanic Research Institute, members of the public, unemployed men and members of the Botanical Society gathered at 07h30 at the entrance to the Aloe Trail in Anderson Street.

The Traffic Department had closed off the entrance to the street for us, gazebos were set up for registration, issuing of tools and medical aid as well as for the all important sustenance – water, cooldrinks and later, hot dogs and muffins for all.

It is not easy work.   The cacti grow in the most inconvenient spots – in the rocks, among the trunks of trees and bushes, on steep slopes and in large clumps.   They have thorns and can be very bulky.   It is important to remove the plants with their roots and to make quite sure that the smallest pieces are collected and put onto the pile.

This was a continuation of the work being done by Ms Gunhild Voigts and her labourers, costs money and effort but we MUST persevere as the infestation is serious. 

We would like to thank all those who contributed so generously with cash, equipment and time thereby making this a successful morning. At this event, JohnPallett, co-chair handed of NEWS (Namibian Environment & Wildlife Society) handed over a donation of N$1000 to BotSoc on behalf of NEWS.

All photos Jaco Fourie