Alien invader plants have become a menace to conservation and farming in South Africa.  These plants crowd out indigenous plants, consume more water and are often poisonous or deletrious to the environment.  Current legislation places the onus on landowners to take measures to control the eradicate such plants.  Unfortunately the local authorities often fail to co-ordinate, plan, budget and implement such measures and leave individual landowners to address the problem which is exacerbated by cross boundary infestation.

 On 21^st September 2007 the Kempston Group offered R50,000 as part funding for a  pilot project.

The Small Projects Foundation accepted this part funding and undertook to use this funding to control alien invader plants as far as this funding allowed.

Prospective workers were identified in conjunction with Teddy Farms Management.  3 Males and 3 females were appointed and a supervisor placed in control (7 people). These workers were trained in: herbicide application training and alien vegetation control.

The areas to be treated and controlled were identified and then systematically worked through. Total Area controlled: 15,53 ha.

The Teddy Farms management and staff were consulted and involved in the planning.  After investigation it became apparent that neighbouring landowners were not interested in becoming involved in the project at that stage.

Approaches to Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) and the Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism (DEAET, the Provincial Department) were unsuccessful as they had neither the budget nor interest in becoming involved in the project at that stage.

It was therefore decided to maximize the use of the R50,000 donation to control alien vegetation on Teddy Farms.

The pilot project has developed a team who can systematically control alien vegetation. It has also made a start in showing that alien vegetation control can be implemented systematically.  7 Employment opportunities were created and 7 workers trained.

Control of alien invader vegetation has been started (15,5 ha) but the remainder (23,4 ha) now needs to be covered.  The control of regrowth of aliens in the treated areas in the spring will require reduced cost (but needs to be done systematically).

If the above two recommendations are put into effect there is then the opportunity to invite neighbouring farmers, Buffalo City Municipality and DEAET to see the results of a proper control programme and interest them in becoming involved in their own areas.

Teddy Farms now has a core of trained workers available who can implement such work.  Funding for such initiatives can be sought should the results be positive over a few seasons.

Systematic incremental progress is necessary in alien vegetation control.