Every plant has its season to shine

Most plants on the Koppies are hunkering down for the winter. Their leaves have turned brown to conserve energy to survive the chill, while many have disappeared completely, storing all their food in bulbs or tubers underground until things warm up.

Not so the aloes and the tree fuchsia (Halleria lucida), whose red-orange flowers are providing welcome food for the Koppies’ sunbirds and other birds.

These are just two of the less than 15 hardy plants that have chosen the winter months as their flowering time.
Gautengers seem to have the same idea as most of the plants on the Koppies.

They’re laying low and staying indoors, only venturing out when the morning has lost its chill.

But not everyone. Despite thick snow on the Drakensberg and the temperature in single figures, three German schoolteachers from Deutsche Internationale Schule recently arrived at Melville Koppies opening time to explore the Koppies in all its glory.

Times and cost

Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) is open every Sunday from 08:00 to 11:30. No need to pre-book and mid-week school tours and ordinary tours can be arranged.

Cost is R80 for adults and R40 for children, with season ticket available at R500 for a year per adult, which is not transferable.

All income is used for maintenance and security of the Koppies. Security on the Koppies is provided. Park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park in Judith Road, Emmarentia.

Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za or visit www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.