Princess Vlei Forum

22/04/2026

Observational Walk Saturday 25 April 1 pm tp 3pm - https://mailchi.mp/3074bab115a8/princess_vlei_forum_newlsetter_december_2018-10929923

30/12/2025

Princess Vlei Forum Newsletter December 2025 - https://mailchi.mp/2e84105d4aca/princess_vlei_forum_newlsetter_december_2018-10928486

24/11/2025

24/11/2025

"All plants have an intention… we need to work with that intention. If you want to pick part of a plant for food or for medicine, you need to ask the plant for permission…." Shihaam Domingo

This teaching guided four powerful plant-heritage workshops with 18 Lotus High learners, held both at the school and at Princess Vlei as part of our Fynbos Fantasia project.

Led by indigenous practitioner and cultural botanist Shihaam Domingo, learners tasted, touched, smelled and experienced fynbos plants while learning about their cultural, spiritual and medicinal uses in Khoe and San traditions. They explored edible and healing plants, shared rooibos tea and roosterkoek infused with fynbos, and learnt why respecting plants is an ancient practice of care.

With support from poet Barbara Boswell, learners also wrote poems reflecting on their relationship with plants, the Vlei, and the Khoekhoe princess who gave the Vlei its name. Some shared their poetry at the Fynbos Fantasia celebration on 25 October.

These workshops offered a deep, sensory journey into fynbos heritage, healing practices, and our connection to land, water, ancestors and one another.

Grateful thanks to Shihaam Domingo, Barbara Boswell, Lotus High, and the City Grant-in-Aid Fund for making this possible. 🌿✨

YouthInNature

24/11/2025

After completing their headdresses, the Crestway High Eco-club painted matching t-shirts celebrating fynbos plants and pollinators. From Proteas to sunbirds, each shirt became a colourful tribute to the natural world.

These wearable artworks were proudly worn in the Fynbos Fantasia Parade, where learners appeared as joyful human-plant hybrids symbolising our deep connection to fynbos.

Thank you to the Peter Clarke Art Centre and the City Grant-in-Aid fund for making this possible. 🌿💛

24/11/2025

The Crestway High Eco-club spent two creative days at the Peter Clarke Art Centre making beautiful fynbos-inspired headdresses. Using wire, fabric and paint, they transformed hard hats into Proteas, Pelargoniums, Arum lilies, Rain daisies and even bees, butterflies and sunbirds.

Guided by Fabian Harzenberg and the Princess Vlei Forum team, learners explored the cultural and ecological meaning of these plants. Their stunning headdresses were later showcased in the Fynbos Fantasia Parade.

Thanks to the Peter Clarke Art Centre and the City Grant-in-Aid fund for supporting this project. 🌿✨

24/11/2025

Pelargoniums and butterflies, Ericas and sunbirds, Arum lilies and frogs, a mouse and a protea, the bietou and the bee… these were just some of the fynbos relationships beautifully celebrated on the painted t-shirts created by our local primary school learners.

After being reminded of the flowers and pollinators they observed at Princess Vlei, each learner selected a design and painted it onto a t-shirt. These artworks were proudly worn at the Fynbos Fantasia celebration on 25 October. Even some teachers from Levana, including Principal Ms Charity, joined in and painted their own shirts. Below are a few of the stunning creations made by our fynbos-inspired young artists.

Thank you to the City of Cape Town for making this journey possible. 🌿💛

24/11/2025

Our Fynbos Fantasia Parade on 25 October was a beautiful celebration of creativity, nature and community. Earlier in August, 90 learners from Harmony, Levana, Floreat and Rosmead Primary visited the vlei for a creative field trip where they learned about pollinators, sketched fynbos flowers, and created dances inspired by bees and other pollinators.

Those dances came alive during the parade, alongside colourful artworks, drumming and joyful performances. What began as quiet moments of observing flowers and drawing pollinators grew into a vibrant celebration honouring our fynbos heritage.

Thank you to the City of Cape Town and the Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust for making this journey possible. 🌿💛

EnvironmentalEducation