CapeNature honours its firefighters ahead of International Firefighters' Day
On 30 April 2024, CapeNature hosted a firefighters appreciation event at Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve to honour the brave men and women who were on the frontlines during the Western Cape’s fire season.
A representative group of firefighters attended the event on behalf of CapeNature’s 240 firefighters. Despite facing extreme heat and challenging terrain, the firefighters worked together seamlessly, never once wavering in their commitment to protect land and communities. Their tireless work helped to prevent costly damage to property and infrastructure and ensured damage to sensitive biodiversity was kept to a minimum.
The event also recognised International Firefighters’ Day, held annually on 4 May, which highlights the important contributions of all personnel working in the fire services globally. In this spirit, CapeNature showed its appreciation to our partners who provided support and personnel during the course of the fire season.
These included the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Overberg District Municipality, West Coast District Municipality, NCC Environmental Services, Working on Fire, Provincial Disaster Management Centre, Cape Peninsula Fire Appreciation Association, Winelands Fire Appreciation Association, Greater Overberg Fire Appreciation Association, Greater Cederberg Fire Appreciation Association, and Volunteer Wildlife Services.
The representative group as well as the Entity’s partners were heralded for their services by Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Anton Bredell.
"The courage shown by the CapeNature staff is truly commendable. Their efforts have not only protected lives and property but have also helped preserve our natural heritage for future generations," remarked Minister Bredell.
CapeNature CEO Dr Ashley Naidoo expressed his gratitude to the firefighters, saying, “The men and women in the fire services have worked resolutely to protect communities, biodiversity, and infrastructure. Without these brave firefighters, the devastation and destruction wrought by the recent fire season would have been on a much larger scale.”
The fire season typically runs from December through to April, while the 2023/2024 fire season was particularly challenging for firefighters across the province, with 135,000 ha that burned. CapeNature provided support to fires on 63,485 ha of land while 22,530 ha was on CapeNature land.
Related News
Walker Bay Nature Reserve honoured with Green Coast Award
CapeNature’s Walker Bay Nature Reserve has once again been recognised for its outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable coastal management, receiving a Green Coast Award from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) for the 2025/26 season.
Final Action Plan for baboons includes a sanctuary, fencing, waste strategy
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, has finalised and adopted the Action Plan which details the practical implementation of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan
Outeniqua Nature Reserve introduces permit fee from December 2025
CapeNature will introduce a permit fee at Outeniqua World Heritage Site and Nature Reserve from 15 December 2025. All revenue generated through the fee will go directly towards conservation initiatives to keep the reserve clean, safe, and enjoyable for all visitors.
New record-breaking Helihack pine clearing at Boosmansbos
A successful Helihack operation has cleared a further 16 276 invasive pine trees, which covered 2 500 hectares from the slopes of the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area. From 7–9 November 2025, 21 volunteers were airlifted into the rugged mountain peaks to tackle areas otherwise impossible to reach.
New Lettas Kraal Nature Reserve declared in Succulent Karoo
CapeNature welcomes another addition to the Western Cape’s growing Protected Area Estate with the formal declaration of Lettas Kraal Nature Reserve. Lettas Kraal is situated 30 km south-east of Touwsriver and encompasses 7 050 hectares of natural rangeland in the Little Karoo, within the Succulent Karoo biome.
Western Cape expands protected areas with Mount David Reserve
The Western Cape has welcomed its newest Provincial Nature Reserve, the Mount David Nature Reserve, an over 800-hectare stronghold of threatened ecosystems and endangered species. After purchasing the property, then known as Diepgat, in 2008, Antony van Hoogstraten has spent the past 17 years rehabilitating the property.