16 DECEMBER 2010 - IKAMVA CAPE POINT OUTING  -  Photos by Ken Eaton
 


Since we began working together in June Ken has developed ChILD (Children in Leadership Development) an NPO focusing on taking children from disadvantaged backgrounds on outings into nature.  

Ken arranged for a group of 15 learners from Ikamva Youth to do an outing.

  



 

          
Ikamva Youth helps learners from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve the higher grade 12 passes necessary to access tertiary institutions and/or employment-based learning opportunities. The outing was arranged as a reward for best achievers 2010.

 At 09:45 the group arrived at the Shark Centre.

 
    

The plan was to do a basic shark lesson before going on an outing to the Cape Of Good Hope Nature Reserve.

Before going upstairs for the lesson the group spent some time checking out the shark jaws and fish tank. 
 

 

    


We did a basic shark lesson then we watched a short movie about sharks, Maxine's journey. This tells the story of Ragged Tooth Shark, Maxine's release from the Two Oceans Aquarium.

the plan was to do an outdoor rocky shore lesson as we walked in the reserve.

 
    


Once the movie was over we headed downstairs and moved on to the next leg of the outing.  The group boarded the mini-bus once again and we set off for the reserve.





Along the road through the reserve we saw ostriches and a large herd of bontebok. Once we arrived at Olifantsbos Ken spoke about fynbos and hazardous snakes before we began the hike.

The wind was strong as it often is in the reserve but there was no sign of rain. We began walking along the beach from Olifantsbos to the wreck of the Thomas T Tucker and Nolloth some distance south along the coast.

 
    


Along the way we passed the Olifantsbos cottage.

 
    


There was plenty of kelp washed up and the birds were plentiful. I spoke about the life cycles involving kelp in the water and once it is washed ashore.

I explained how important kelp is in the food chain and talked about the birds that eat the sand hoppers. The sacred ibises and sanderlings were in the area and so were the oyster catchers which nest in the kelp above the high shore.

 
    


Once we reached the Thomas T Tucker we had a look around and stopped for an apple. There was quite a lot to see of the wreck. We learned a bit about the history of the ship from the pamphlets we had with us.

 
    

After a short break we set off for the Nolloth about 500m south down the beach.

 
    

 

We spent some time checking out the wreck of the Nolloth.
 
    


Then we turned inland, not far past the wrecks to follow the path back to Olifantsbos along the ridge.The path took us up the hillside and back towards the cottage.

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Along the way looking down we could see the Olifantsbos cottage and ahead on the ridge we could see military buildings from the time of the second world war.

 
    


On the way down Ken called for a few minutes quiet time to appreciate the surroundings and gather thoughts.

 
    


Then we descended to the Olifantsbos car-park where we saw baboons.  Many in the group said they had not visited Cape Point so we decided to take the group to the point before they went home.

Once again all boarded the mini-bus and we set of on the third leg of the outing.


It was a long walk up to the lighthouse for many already tired by the day's walk.

 
    


By chance Ken's daughter and boyfriend happened to be at the top when we arrived in the blustering gale.
 
    


Although the wind was very strong all were happy as we took a brief break in the howling gale before beginning the walk back down.

 
    


All were in good spirits and quite worn out as we sent the group off home from the Cape Point parking lot.

Feedback has been good and all had a great day thanks to Ken Eaton and Ikamva.


If you would like to arrange similar outings or learn more please contact

Michael Carnegie      mcarnegie@telkomsa.net        079 253 8045


www.michaelcarnegie.com           www.ikamvayouth.org