A recent ReWild original Protectors film called ‘Dressing The Princess’ follows the story of two conservationists who are working hard at restoring a local wetland and facilitating a connection between people and nature.
During Apartheid rule in South Africa, there was an unequal distribution of natural spaces between "white and non-white communities'' in urban areas. In Cape Town, over 150,000 people of colour were forcibly removed from their homes along lush natural areas and relocated to informal settlements along the Cape Flats. Not only did this create a divide and disconnect among people, but it also led to a loss of connection with natural spaces. In the midst of this division a small wetland called Princess Vlei in the Cape Flats was a safe haven for people of colour. The surrounding community would gather to fish, swim, and carry out traditional ceremonies at this wetland. At the end of Apartheid era, the Vlei was abandoned by the government and became a dumping ground fraught with crime and gangsterism. Eventually, as conditions in the Vlei worsened, the city attempted to sell the land to build a shopping centre.
This was the spark that ignited a once fragmented community to come together to fight back against the development and restore Princess Vlei into a biodiversity hotspot and cultural heritage site.
As a result a new movement of custodianship is taking place at Princess Vlei, a once neglected wetland that is undergoing a remarkable ecological transformation. At the forefront of this movement is Denisha Anand and Alex Lansdowne. Two conservationists simultaneously fighting to restore the dignity of this community by helping people from the nearby townships rebuild their connection to the land by restoring Princess Vlei. Denisha is an intersectional environmental activist and educator, who has mobilised a small community of young Eco-Guardians from the nearby townships to restore Princess Vlei through the removal of alien species and planting thousands of indigenous fynbos. Meanwhile, Alex, a self-taught Terrestrial Ecological Restoration Practitioner & Conservationist, educates youth on the process of ecological restoration at Princess Vlei, while also fighting to restore the biodiversity of dozens of natural sites across the city.
In a collaborative effort to restore the local wetland, Danisha and Alex have joined hands with the community, aiming to bring back the lost beauty of Princess Vlei. The two conservationists work to educate the youth about restoration and the importance of fostering a connection with nature. Through engaging activities, the conservationists introduce the young minds to the significance of wetlands in preserving biodiversity and mitigating environmental challenges. Their enthusiasm and knowledge inspire the children to take an active role in restoring the wetland.
Danisha and Alex involve the youth in the hands-on process of wetland restoration. Armed with shovels and saplings, the children become eager participants in planting native vegetation and playing on the land to build a connection with it. As the wetland starts to flourish with new life, the once disconnected community is starting to feel a sense of ownership and pride in their rejuvenated natural space. The children are fostering a love for nature that extends beyond the restoration project. They speak about finding peace in nature and learning more about their environment.
The impact of the restoration efforts goes beyond the ecological aspects, as the wetland becomes a sanctuary for the children amidst the challenges of their violent community. With the wetland serving as a safe haven, the children find solace and peace in the embrace of nature. They are able to find a distraction from the violence and turmoil they may witness in their community. Instead they enjoyed the calming presence of birdsong and the rustling of leaves. Through the guidance of the conservationists, the children discover the healing power of nature, building resilience and finding comfort in the midst of adversity. The restoration project of Dressing The Princess stands as a testament to the transformative power of education and reconnecting with nature.
Watch the film on Waterbear here: Link to Video
Connecting with nature offers a multitude of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Taking time to touch the soil and allowing it to speak to us fosters a deep sense of grounding and tranquillity, reducing stress and anxiety. Moreover, immersing ourselves in the natural world nurtures an appreciation for the environment, encouraging a desire to protect and preserve the precious ecosystems that sustain us.
Through the work of Denisha, Alex and thousands of local community members of the Cape Flats, the Dressing The Princess restoration project has restored over 35 000 indigenous plants in Princess Vlei.
Visit princessvlei.org to join the movement to restore Princess Vlei
News from ReWild
We are working on 3 different BBC Storyworks productions next week, in three different African countries! Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. We are using some of our most trusted freelancers and a few internal team members to tell all of these stories. Watch this space!
In Uganda, we have the extremely creative team, Roberto Colombo and Kent Andreasen.
In Nigeria, we have the talented Tanzanian team, Frank Papushka & Jigar Ganatra. Ben and Tae have been absolutely operating in producing for this project.
In Kenya, we have a brother sister duo! Luke Nelson and Meg! How great!
Ale is off on leave to visit her family in Italy for the next two weeks, diviertete!