Northern Farm, situated on the declared Diepsloot Nature Reserve  in Gauteng, is a working farm, adjunct to the water treatment works,  and a popular recreational site just outside the city of Johannesburg.  And it is under threat of being dismantled.

A chronicle of events lists the sad demise of open space and a litany of senseless decisions which sadly, impact on the poor, stifle skills transfer, bring to an end a valuable agricultural research programme and make living in Joburg a little less rewarding.

February 2010, Joburg Water gives notice that farming activities must be terminated on Northern Farm within months. That involves selling the 2 000-strong herd of Bovelder cattle, the farm equipment, including nine centre pivots and other irrigation systems which irrigate 350 hectares of grazing, mealies and other crops. Some 70 contract staff are to be laid off.

The reason given is that farming is not part of Joburg Water's core business. The City of Johannesburg is touted to take over but it is unclear how Northern Farm will be utilised in future.

About 20 megalitres of water from Northern Works' sewage treatment plant presently circulates through the farm's dams before flowing into the Jukskei River. This is a vital function to cope with capacity overload on the treatment works, especially in the rainy season.  The historic design of most of the City has storm water running above and alongside sewer pipes. The additional inflow into the water treatment plant in high rainfall months is significant, and is beyond the capacity of the upgraded plant.  The older system of wetlands, herring bone channels and dams allows Joburg Water to retain a high compliance rating in the Blue Drop assessment.

"The City of Joburg continues to manage drinking water within their area of jurisdiction with distinction. ... The Department applauds the City who maintains the Blue Drop Status awarded in 2009 as well as the fact that with the support of Rand and Johannesburg Water remains the leading Blue Drop performers for the 2010 assessment cycle." ~ Blue Drop Report.

What will happen to these dams, wetlands, water courses and extensive irrigation systems?  Without regular upkeep and monitoring the capacity and function of the well-designed overflow system will be lost.

Notice has also been posted for an application to deproclaim the Diepsloot Nature Reserve.  This provincial Nature Reserve was proclaimed in 1960.  The Diepsloot Nature Reserve includes both Northern Farm and Northern Works, on both sides of the R114 and the N14.

Apart from agriculture the farm's open spaces and trails are enjoyed over weekends by thousands of mountain bikers, birdwatchers, hikers and horse riders. A full Olympic standard equestrian course is used for annual shows.  About 330 birds have been identified on the reserve which is part of SA Birdlife's birding route. The birds include a breeding pair of fish eagles who have been resident at Northern Farm for decades.  The eagle was spotted in a prophetic setting - grey, bleak sky observed from a mere stump of a once great tree.

April 2010

On 14 April Northern Farm's 2 000 Bovelder cattle went on auction. The Bovelder breed has been developed over decades on Northern Farm and it has played a major role in the beef industry, providing thousands of top quality genetic breeding stock all over Southern Africa.

To terminate the Northern Farm operation the entire Bovelder herd and all the farm equipment will be sold. Some 70 contract staff will be laid off.

Northern Farm attracts more than 4 000 visitors per month - primarily city dwellers who need a place to escape to over weekends.

Over the past six years the Northern Farm Recreational User Group (NFRUG) has initiated a number of recreational projects on the Farm.

The activities on Northern Farm include include

• mountain biking where up to 1 000 riders per weekend tackle the three different trails,
• birding with more than 330 bird species spotted on the farm and a bird hide on the edge of the water
• equestrian activities on separate trails and a world class equestrian facility used for international events
• hiking through country trails in a safe environment

Knowing the value of the farm, it was disturbing to hear a Joburg official stating on Talk Radio 702 recently that these are short-term leases and a “decision has not yet been taken” about the future.

Some 200 youngsters from Diepsloot have been involved in the biking: learning to ride, developing life skills and working part-time as wardens, guards and bike washers. In all, about R40 000 per month is paid in salaries to local people, mainly from adjoining Diepsloot.

Northern Farm Equestrian Park, a world class equestrian facility, has been built on the Farm and is operated and managed by NFRUG. In December 2009 it hosted the highest level Eventing Competition ever to be held in South Africa. International competitions will be hosted here in 2010 and 2011.

The Farm is part of the SA Birding Route and it attract hundreds of avid birdwatchers. The mosaic of wetlands, grassland, farming areas and exotic woodland form an important mix of habitats that host 300+ bird species. It is particularly good for raptors, with one the of the few breeding pairs of African Fish-Eagle in the northern part of Johannesburg occurring. Community members have been trained and are employed as guides.

Schools are increasingly using the Farm for hiking/biking events. The Waldorf School, St Peters and various scouts and cubs are regular clients.

Northern Farm is one of Gauteng's major assets. It will be a disaster if lack of holistic planning or hidden agendas destroy it.

More to come

With acknowledgment to VeldTalk and Roger Wood at Northern Farm.