Living in Imhoff's Gift

The name of our estate says it all – it is indeed a ‘gift’ of providence to be privileged to live in such a unique setting, right alongside a National Park, a World Heritage Site, in arguably the most beautiful part of our country. The Trustees of the IGHOA hope your life here will be happy and fulfilling. While our community is not a privately owned estate, it shares many of the attributes and benefits of private estates. The overall responsibility to maintain these benefits lies with the Imhoff’s Gift Home-Owners Association (IGHOA), which was constituted as a body corporate in terms of the provisions of Section 29 of the Land Use Planning Ordinance (LUPO) at the Inaugural Meeting of the Association in 1995.

This booklet aims to offer a guide that will cater for the needs of all residents of Imhoff’s Gift, provide the information you may need to help you live in the estate in harmony with your neighbors – and with the other less visible residents with which we share this unique piece of eco-space – and maintain the sensitive natural environment that we are so privileged to live in. Much of what is contained in this document can be encapsulated in a single thought:

“If you would not like it to happen to you, perhaps your neighbours would not like it either.”

It is our sincere hope that all residents of Imhoff’s Gift will benefit by adhering to the guidelines and practices set out in this booklet, because all of us, surely, wish to live in peace and harmony with our neighbours and all the other members of our small community. 

Detailed policies, guidelines and further information may be obtained from the Trustees of the current Board, of which Members will be kept informed through newsletters, email communications, and other means.

We regard this booklet as a living document which will certainly change as circumstances within the estate change. If you have any comments or suggestions to improve it, we would be more than happy to hear from you

jeruselma imhoff's gift
CODE OF CONDUCT BOOKLET

IN AND AROUND THE ESTATE

Wildevoëlvlei 

The vlei falls under South African National Parks as part of the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). The shore area of the vlei along the Imhoff’s Gift frontage is public open space partly controlled by TMNP, and partly by the City of Cape Town.

  • Boating, paddling, swimming, fishing, or any other recreational activities in or on the vlei are prohibited without permit.

Apart from disturbance to the wildlife of the area, there is also potentially a health risk because of toxic algae and/or bacterial imbalance in the water of the vlei.

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arum lilies, wildevoelvlei, imhoffs gift

Public Open Spaces / Play Area

The estate contains a designated children’s playground at the western end and other areas of public open space which, although owned by the City Council, in fact depend on the neighbouring estates (Imhoff’s Gift and Bluewater Estate) for development, routine upkeep, and maintenance.

Both estates are extremely fortunate to have been granted such an area and its upkeep and continuous improvement will provide your family with a safe, healthy exercise area and, as a spin-off, improve the investment value of your property.

  • Members and residents are requested to keep to the paths in the open spaces so as to minimize disturbance of flora and fauna.
  • Litter bins are NOT placed at the children’s playground, due to them attracting baboons and other wildlife. Users of the playground and walkers through the area are urged to ensure that litter is removed, and not left lying about to be blown by the wind.
  • No vehicles are permitted along the service road, apart from service and council vehicles.
  • Parties are encouraged, but please inform your Trustees of the date to ensure that no other party is planned.
  • A tree planting ceremony is encouraged to commemorate the occasion of birth– it forms a lasting memory for a child.
  • Should you see dangerous or broken equipment, please notify a Trustee or report to the Guardhouse.
  • Do not remove or damage any plant – unless it is an alien that is preventing the endemic plants from growing.
  • Ensure that tortoises, snakes, and any other animals are left in peace – do not take them home, they are already at home!
  • Littering of any kind in the common area, including the disposal of cigarette butts, is strictly forbidden.

Long Beach Access

Access to the beach by a combination of a maintained path and a boardwalk over the swampy area has been established. Entrance to this path is via a gate at the bottom of the paddock nearest the vlei.

For security reasons, this gate follows SAN parks rules and will be locked from sunset to sunrise.

  • Members and residents must ensure the gate is always closed.
  • Be cautious and avoid walking alone to or on Noordhoek Beach, particularly around the Kakapo wreck site, where a number of assaults have been reported.
  • Don’t carry any valuable items, like expensive camera’s etc. 
  • Always walk in groups and dogs are always a good detterent.

living with baboons

We are lucky to live on the Urban Edge with our baboon neighbours, it just takes a little preparation and understanding to live side by side peacefully. Baboons can cause expensive damage to your home (TV aerials make great swings!), but you can minimize costly repairs by ensuring you are not attracting baboons onto your property by unwittingly supplying them with easy food rewards.

TIPS FOR YOUR GARDENS

  • Fruiting trees, vines, vegetable patches and herb gardens (and even fish ponds and water features) offer rich rewards to baboons and attract them to residential areas.
  • Nothing is more infuriating than your lovingly tended veggie patch being destroyed by baboons in a matter of minutes!  Baboon-proof your vegetable garden – there are various options for this such as wire or mesh that will let the sunshine in but not baboons.
  • Use contained composting bins, rather than an open compost heap,
  • If possible, plant indigenous plants that offer no fruits or seeds that baboons will eat. 
  • Try to keep your garden fairly open and minimise dense thickets of plants which will provide cover for the baboons and places for them to hide.
LIVING WITH BABOONS INFO

Just remember, they were here long before we humans were. By following the guidelines and information provided, we can live together.

BABOON MONITOR HOTLINE – 071 588 6540