Property developers slap Jo’burg environmentalist and conservancy with R197m lawsuit Century Property Developments and Riversands Developments are suing Kristin Kallesen and her nonprofit, Greater Equestrian Kyalami Conservancy (Gecko), for the income they have allegedly lost because of objections raised by her and Gecko against development approvals in and adjoining the conservancy. Sheree Bega 1 Mar […]

Property developers slap Jo’burg environmentalist and conservancy with R197m lawsuit

GEKCO proposes to extend conservancy boundaries to protect clean water and air; and help threatened wildlife
GEKCO (the Greater Kyalami Conservancy) is putting forward a proposal to extend its boundaries. The aim is to help save and protect more of the unique and threatened ecosystem in the Kyalami area, upon which a number of endangered species survive. People rely on the same systems, like wetlands, for cleaning and storing our water. […]

Public encouraged to share thoughts on Helderfontein development
Public encouraged to share thoughts on Helderfontein development HELDERFONTEIN – Nature lovers and avid horse riders are contesting a proposed development in Kyalami. November 19, 2020 | Khomotso Makgabutlane | Fourways Review Members of the public are invited to send their concerns about a new residential development near Helderfontein. The public participation process will take […]

What’s hopping in Chartwell?
What’s hopping in Chartwell? CHARTWELL – Anton van Niekerk of Gekco shares a little bit of information with Fourways Review about red toads, which are common in the area and which you may have spotted recently. March 23, 2020 | Robyn Kirk | Fourways Review After the recent rains, Chartwell and other greater Fourways residents […]

Gekco hosts invasive species workshop
BEAULIEU – On 30 October Gekco held a free workshop with government authorities on invasive species for residents to learn what they can do about the issue. November 9, 2019 | Robyn Kirk | Midrand Reporter The Greater Kyalami Conservancy (Gekco) hosted the first of two free workshops for residents to learn more about invasive […]

Kyalami’s newest resident
Kyalami’s newest resident KYALAMI – Anton van Niekerk of the Greater Kyalami Conservancy (Gekco) writes about the newest resident in Kyalami, a yellow mongoose. September 6, 2019 | Content Provided Kyalami Agricultural Holdings Ridge has a brand new, and somewhat hairy resident – a yellow mongoose has been spotted living in the area. Anton van […]

Gekco talks wetlands at AGM
Gekco talks wetlands at AGM BEAULIEU – The Greater Kyalami Conservancy hosted its annual general meeting on 5 June. June 18, 2019 | Andrei van Wyk | Fourways Review The Greater Kyalami Conservancy (Gekco) hosted their annual general meeting on 5 May to discuss their various success and challenges from the previous year. Chairperson of […]

Saving the Kaalfontein Wetland
Saving the Kaalfontein Wetland 13 December 2018 | by Willem Snyman | Hennops Blue Last hope to save what’s left of the Kaalfontein wetland – one of the strong fountain sources of the Hennops River. A high powered information gathering and site meeting was held on December 11 in Kaalfontein. Lead by Mike Moriatti of […]
Joburg’s demolition drive Building approval abuse being targeted 54 structures are set to be flattened
Joburg’s demolition drive Building approval abuse being targeted 54 structures are set to be flattened Date: 20 Aug 2018 | By Anna Cox @annacox | The Star THE CITY of Joburg has taken drastic action on building approval abuse by issuing 54 demolition orders that will see these structures flattened to the ground. The city […]

Gekco fights to preserve wildlife in the conservancy
Gekco fights to preserve wildlife in the conservancy MIDRAND – The Greater Kyalami Conservancy’s (Gekco) annual general meeting last month heard highlights from the past year concerning Kyalami’s wildlife and environment. June 14, 2018 | Daniella Potter | Fourways Review A cosy room with a crackling fire at Inanda Country Base set the scene for […]

Striving for balance
19 May 2018 | Sheree Bega | Saturday Star EIAs are too often tipped in favour of development, say experts WHEN AN environmental application was lodged for a shopping centre and car dealership in Blue Hills, Kyalami, a resident pointed out a nesting pair of endangered grass owls on the property. Neighbours had bought the […]

Suburban rubble fills Diepsloot
In the half hour that Kristin Kallesen stood on the degraded Diepsloot wetland last week, she witnessed three trucks illegally dumping building rubble from a nearby construction site onto the wetland, choked with debris and garbage. “It’s shocking, isn’t it,” remarked Kallesen, the chairperson of the Greater Kyalami Conservancy (Gecko), pointing to the wetland, virtually […]