Skuilkrans Kopje

Background to the Kopje

Location

The Skuilkrans kopje is located in Tshwane on the boundary between the suburbs of Meyers Park to the north and Murrayfield to the south. Historically it was the boundary between Murray’s farm and Meyersfarm, and the original drystone wall between the two properties is still visible. It is bounded by Grace Ave to the south, Trevor street to the east, Emmerentia to the north and Nina to the west. The entire Kopje, with the exception of a plot onto Grace Ave and a small gap onto Trevor road, is fully surrounded by residential properties. The two areas that extend to roads are fully fenced with permanently locked gates. A small servitude on the north-west corner of the kopje has been incorporated into the adjacent property, though is still legally part of the kopje.

The kopje is approximately 9 ha in extent.

The Skuilkrans Kopje (Koppie)

The Skuilkrans Kopje is municipal ground belonging to the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (CTMM) and is zoned as a conservation area. The kopje is located between the suburbs of Meyerspark and Murrayfield. It is bounded by Grace Avenue to the South, Trevor Street to the East, Emmarentia Street in the North and Nina Street to the West.

Although the CTMM is the owner of the Kopje, the Skuilkrans Kopje Association (Friends of the Skuilkrans Kopje, or FoSK) is a legally constituted, non-profit civic organisation that assists the municipality in the management and conservation of the Kopje. Management activities are thus performed jointly by the CTMM and the FoSK. The mandate of FoSK is:

To act as custodian of the area and in doing so, to promote interest in and concern for the conservation, use and maintenance of the area. this includes inter alia:

  • Preservation of indigenous vegetation and eradication of alien species

  • Maintain a path network through the area in order to make the area educational, pleasant and accessible to visitors, whilst minimising ecological damage.

  • To encourage natural fauna. This includes maintaining of drinking water points for birds and mammals as well as providing nesting sites (owls) and ensuring the welfare of the resident steenbokkies, guinea fowl, dassies, tortoises, etc.

  • Provision of educational information, such as information boards at the main visitor’s gate.

  • Provide and maintain a recreational area (near the Trevor Street entrance) for the use by local schools, scout and voortrekker groups, and social gatherings by local community based groups etc. Provide rest benches at selected points in the area.

Membership is open to all individuals, families and community based organisations that subscribe to the constitution of the FoSK. A minimal enrolment and annual subscription fee, determined by the Executive Committee, from time to time, is levied.

Gates to the kopje area are locked at all times. Upon registration members of FoSK are issued with a key into the area.

Any person wishing to join the Association is requested to complete a membership application form. Further details can be obtained from the chairman of the association at nieljvw@gmail.com. Keys and information can also be obtained from D Velcich by prior arrangement, at 8 B Trevor Street, Tel. 012 803 1585