GAME
The conservation area was stocked with various game species. These include zebra, eland, blesbok, impala, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and ostrich. Jackal, duiker and reedbuck are also resident.
Greater Eastern Magaliesburg Conservation Area
It is GEMCA mission to actively conserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of the most Eastern Magalliesburg area for the benefit of present and future generations, by stimulating interest and awareness of conservation issues within the community as a whole, through education and community involvement.
Through strengthening our effectiveness as an independent organisation, and in coalition with other like-minded people and bodies, we work proactively to achieve a greater conservation area that is wisely managed by all to ensure long term environmental sustainability.
GEMCA aims is to promote the conservation of the total environment of the Greater Eastern Magaliesburg area through sound management principles, so as to maintain and promote its rural character, protect landmarks & historical sites, as well as restoring and maintaining maximum natural biodiversity.
GEMCA aims to provide necessary primary support:
RED DATA LIST
Reedbuck
This is a very habitat dependent species. Habitat loss and degradation are the main factors influencing the survival of this species. Human settlement may encroach on their territory as well. ,Althoug the EWT's Red Data Book lists the Reedbuck as of Least concern (2002), the/TOPS listing (NEMBA) (2007) lists the Reedbuck as protected.
THREATENED
Bankenveld
The Bankenveld vegetation type consists of diverse plant communities such as forest in sheltered ravines, woodland, grassland and wetlands. Similar to the Bronberg Ridge conservation area , GEMCA is situated in Eastern Pretoria and Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. It is a class 2 ridge with no development allowed, and consists of Daspoort quartzite on Strubenkop shale. It includes the Rhenosterfontein Wildlife Trust and lies in the catchment of the Hondes river. GEMCA host 1,400 ha of bankenveld vegetation which is threatened in Gauteng.
RECENTLY FOUND
Peatland
Peatlands are among the most carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth. In a natural condition, peatlands have a net cooling effect on climate, reduce flood risk, and support biodiversity. Healthy peatlands can reduce flood risk by slowing the flow of water from the uplands, and by providing floodplain storage in the lowlands. They also provide important nesting and feeding grounds for many wading birds, as well as important habitats for rare insects and plants. They support an unique flora and fauna and is a global rarity.
BIRD LIFE
Over 500 bird species have been recorded. Game birds include guineafowl, Swainson's spurfowl and crested francolin. The grassy floodplain of the Honde river and its riparian vegetation provide breeding habitat for a number of weaver, bishop and widow species, while the open woodlands on the lower hill slopes provide breeding territories for bushshrike and tchagra species.
Landmerke en Historiese plekke
Selde vind 'n mens geboue wat reeds teen die draai van die 19de eeu gebou was, en vandag nog staan. Dit is die geval in die GEMCA, waar nie net die skanse van die slag van Donkerhoek bewaar gebly het nie maar hook die Botha Huis reeds teen 1903 aangedui word op Rhenosterfontein, die hospitaal, die Wolmarans Villa op Donkerhoek.ental education.
Golden Mole
Critically endangered, Juliana’s golden mole (Neamblysomus julianae) has received no ecological attention to date. The species urgently requires conservation attention and research.
Donkerhoek
Pretoria Plaas 274.
Donkie Wolmerans koop die grond in 1882, en bou die formidabele Wolmaranshuis. In die tweede Vryheidsoorlog is die huis deur die Engelse opgekommandeer om as hospitaal te dien.
Pretoria Aloe
Urban expansion in Pretoria in the last 100 years has led to localised declines of Aloe pretoriensis.
Die slag van Donkerhoek | Diamond Hill
11-12 JUNIE 1900
The commandant-general of Transvaal, Louis Botha, established a 40-kilometer north to south defense line 29 kilometers east of Pretoria; his forces numbered up to 6,000 men and 30 guns. The Pretoria–Delagoa Bay rail line ran eastward through the center of the Boer position. Personnel from the South African Republic Police manned positions at Donkerpoort just south of the railway in the hills at Pienaarsport, while other troops held positions at Donkerhoek and Diamond Hill. Botha commanded the Boer center and left flank and General Koos de la Rey commanded north of the railway line.Weakened by the long march to Pretoria and the loss of horses and sick men, the British force mustered only 14,000, a third of whom were mounted on wobbly horses.
On 13th the Botha's army retreated to the north, they were chased as far as Elands River Station, only 25 miles from Pretoria, by Mounted Infantry and De Lisle's Australians. Although Roberts had removed the Boer threat to his eastern flank, the Boers were unbowed despite their retreat. Jan Smuts wrote that the battle had "an inspiriting effect which could scarcely have been improved by a real victory."[9] Forty-four years after the battle, British General Ian Hamilton opined in his memoirs that "the battle, which ensured that the Boers could not recapture Pretoria, was the turning point of the war". Hamilton credited war correspondent Winston Churchill with recognizing that the key to victory would be in storming the summit, and risking his life to signal Hamilton.
Lees meercontact
Click on the link to join as an Interested Party
or contact ROCHELLE at info@gemca.co.za