What’s on in and around Randfontein?

• U3A West Rand events for retirees in February
Are you retired or semi-retired and looking for something stimulating and affordable to do? If so, then join The University of the 3rd Age (U3A). U3A West Rand is inviting all pensioners to meet new people and go on various adventures this February.

Tuesday, February 13 – The U3A West Rand will have the monthly meeting at the Church of Ascension ( Anglican Church) in Redthorn Street, Rangeview at 9:15. All senior citizens are most welcome! Come and meet other people, listen to very interesting talks, and go out on outings in a safe group. The speaker will be Vivian Corinaldi who has over 40 years experience in the Petroleum Industry in South Africa, both in Retail and Commercial Sales and Marketing and Service Station Development. Enjoy a cup of tea/coffee with a biscuit and book for the following week’s outing. For more information, contact Brian or Joan Clarck on 083 258 8481 or 083 890 4298.

Wednesday, February 21 – The U3A West Rand will go to the Vaal Triangle for an exciting visit to Drumblade Alpaca Farm in Walkerville. We will learn about Alpacas, feed them, and see how the wool is prepared for the products made from it. From there we leave for Vanderbijlpark. We will have lunch at Stonehaven on Vaal and then go on a Cruise on the Vaal River. For more information, contact Marthie Coetzer on 083 297 9565.

• Valentine’s Festival at Antique Shack
The Antique Shack Muldersdrift Garden Centre will be hosting a Valentine’s Day Festival on February 11 from 08:00 to 15:00. There will be more than 25 local vendors on the day displaying their goods ranging from succulents to an array of arts and crafts.

• Friends of Kloofendal events this February
Why not spend your free time learning about creepy crawlies, insect bites, flowers, trees and more? At the Kloofendal Ecological Centre you can do just that. Bookings are limited for each event and can be made online through Quicket. Phone/ WhatsApp 079 693 5608 for more information.

See the latest list of activities below:
• February 10 (08:00–10:00) – Creepy Crawly Walk
• February 10 (08:00–10:00) – Wild Flower Walk
• February 10 (08:00–10:00) – Nature Works Walk
• February 11 (08:00–10:00) – Biomimicry Workshop
• February 17 (08:00–10:00) – Fungi Walk
• February 18 (08:00–10:00) – Reptile Walk
• February 18 (14:00–16:00) – Goudmyn Toer

• Schools programme offered at the Kloofendal Nature Reserve
The Friends of Kloofendal (FroK) Schools Programme supports teachers by enriching the learning experiences for all grades. Learners are divided into groups of 20 and taken into the Reserve for field interpretation by our FGASA-qualified guides. In case of rain, FroK has an indoor Adventure Programme where, inside the Kloofendal Ecological Centre, participants will be shown specimens from the reserve (each participant can choose what he/ she is interested in) and will be told fascinating stories about each one. For further information and school group bookings, contact FroK on kloofendalfriends@gmail.com or 079 693 5608.

• Mellville Koppies is not just a ‘bit of grass’
‘I thought the Koppies was just a bit of grass’ said a recent visitor to Melville Koppies. Then she went on a guided tour. ‘Wow. I’ve learned so much. Melville Koppies is an amazing place with so many interesting stories about the plants, archaeology and history! I’ll be back with my friends.’ Book a guided tour on 079 532 0083, hike the 5km trail, or self-guide along the many trails. And maybe it will help you tick off one of those boxes for your New Year’s resolutions: Learn something new, get fit, get out into nature … open every Sunday morning, 08:00 to 11:30. Safe parking (opposite the Melville Koppies entrance) at Marks Park Sports Club, Judith Road, Emmarentia. Security on the Koppies provided. Adults R90, children under 18 R50. All funds are used to maintain the Koppies. More details: wendavid@mweb.co.za, www.mk.org.za, https://www.facebook.com/melvillekoppies (@MelvilleKoppies).

• Calling all youngsters to a youth camp
The Myburgh Foundation is planning its annual youth camp and will be taking at least 20 young people from in and around Toekomsrus and Randfontein to Cape Town. This will be on June 13 this year and the foundation already kicked off its fundraising with hopes of attracting enough backing from locals, that will make the camp possible. The foundation, which is an NPO, is focused on rooting out social ills in the community, and the youth camp is also aimed at instilling good values and discipline among the youth. The organisation’s founder, Randy Christian, said he is confident that the camp will be a success. “We, therefore, encourage those parents who are interested to contact our youth co-ordinator, Cindy on 062 953 0232 for more details and bookings,” said Christian. He added that their mission is to encourage young people in their respective communities to become God-fearing and productive members of society.

• Hiking at the Kloofendal Nature Reserve
The Reserve offers hiking trails of up to 4km, and, if you prefer a longer hike, the trails can be mixed and matched. All trails are family-friendly and accessible for the reasonably fit. To see the map of the trails, visit https://kloofendalfriends.org.za/map/.