Page 70 - Bulletin 20 2016

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Founding of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve

The first efforts to preserve the southern Cape Peninsula in some form of public trust can be
said to have begun with a wish expressed by Norman Smith in 1928 to his old acquaintance
Brian Mansergh, now working as a chartered architect in Cape Town. Characteristic of their
displayed generosity of spirit and social conscience, the Smith family, collectively, did not
want the farm to fall into the hands of speculative developers but rather remain open to the
public in perpetuity, and managed by some government organization as a nature reserve and
outdoor recreation area. Fully in agreement, Mansergh readily offered to assist and on
th
November 8 , 1928 wrote to the Minister of Lands, the Hon. Mr. P. Grobler on behalf of the
Smith family. Briefly, Mr. Mansergh suggested that Smith’s Farm be purchased by a relevant
government agency as a nature reserve or national park. Now, to appreciate how avant-garde
this proposal was it must be remembered that Kruger National Park, South Africa’s first
national park, had been proclaimed only two years earlier. This precedent, however, provided
no impetus to this proposal for in December of 1928, a reply was received from Mr.
Grobler’s office informing Mr. Mansergh that:

“Government can only concentrate, in the matter of wildlife and wild vegetation,
where extensive areas of Crown land are available and where the question of control
presents no outstanding difficulties. These elements are not, however, present under
your proposal. In the circumstances Mr. Grobler regrets that he can hold out no hope
that the Government will be able financially to assist the realization of the scheme you
have in view” (93) .

At least expressing his “in principle” support in this letter Minister Grobler then suggested
that, rather than the national government, the Provincial Administration and private
conservation organizations, such as the Wild Flower Protection Society and Mountain Club,
might be canvassed for support. This then appears to have been the course of action adopted
for the next year with such public spirited individuals as Dr. Leonard Gill of the South
African Museum and noted entomologist Dr. Sydney (Stacy) Harold Skaife joining the ranks
of supporters. (Figs. 2.32. & 2.33.)

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