Community Engagement Team
The FCC is mainly composed of a group of non-profits, supporting a volunteer network, and we have been very fortunate to get so much done without having a dedicated team or large resources behind us. However, with our institutional capacity restraints, we feel that there is a growing interest in fynbos gardening and restoration in Cape Town, and we have been looking for additional ways to provide support to this. For this reason, we have launched the Community Engagement Team.
After having put out a call for volunteers, we have selected the 2025 Community Engagement Team, consisting of five enthusiastic people with a diverse set of backgrounds, sharing an interest in wanting to support the fynbos restoration efforts in Cape Town. We are very grateful for this team, and throughout 2025 we will be working with them on a number of activities to take our community engagement to a new level. We are confident that with this team in place, we have a whole new level of capacity to engage our gardeners, and the broader community of people interested in fynbos restoration in Cape Town. Some of the activities the team will be working on include:
- Responding to inquiries received through the website
- Providing an active social media presence for the FCC
- Maintaining an active Whatsapp group for FCC members
- Developing fynbos-related content for the different communication channels
- Supporting the volunteer groups and community members that are part of the FCC in connecting with each other
- Helping our community members with the organisation and logistics of holding events for the public
- Helping write news messages and items for our newsletter
The team
Asiphe Qampi
I studied Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of the Western Cape. I love learning about the natural world, especially in the beautiful Eastern Cape. I'm working as a System Developer intern, where I solve problems and learn new things. Soon, I'll study to become a teacher so I can share my love of learning with others. I'm happy to join this team and look forward to working and learning together.
Johanna Fourie
Johanna (Hanja) is an aspiring environmental activist and change-maker. After completing her Master’s in Philosophy (Sustainability) she worked as a recruiter in the renewable energy industry. However, Hanja soon learnt that she wanted to be more hands-on and involved in every day change, therefore her involvement at the Fynbos Corridor Collaboration. With an interest in anything sustainability, Hanja is committed to contributing to a sustainable, equitable, and just future for all, from the bottom up.
Kalita van Zijl
I currently work in the recycling industry supporting the creation of a cyclic economy and the value-chain of recyclable products consumed in South Africa. I am passionate about sustainability and the living world. My personal pledge is to work towards sustainable cities - in line with the sustainable development goals. Having a background in botany and sustainable science I am forever looking at the world through the eyes and mind of an ecologist. I love botany and Rhodes University made falling in-love with the natural world an easy task. Calling Cape Town home means I get to have access to mountains and parks and greenbelts. It is because of this that I am excited that the FCC is creating a platform for us to stay connected to the wonderful life of fynbos.
Melanie Farrell
Melanie’s focus for the past seven years has been on spreading eco-conscious awareness through her freelance work and blogging via Green Route ZA. In 2024 she moved Green Route ZA over to Substack in the form of a newsletter and shares Green Route ZA content across Facebook, Instagram, Threads and BlueSky. Melanie started on newspapers on the production side (layout and subbing) before moving over to magazines (Femina, Baby & Me, I magazine). She has done freelance work for various publications, including the Sunday Times and Daily Maverick. ‘Green Route ZA is a simple concept that relies on the basic principle of “caring is sharing” by supporting eco-NPOs and ecopreneurs. We are all on a Green Route and trying to move towards a greener world.’
Vanashree Chetty
Vanashree Chetty is a seasoned communications and content professional, who
specialises in crafting compelling narratives that leverage behavioural
linguistics and marketing principles to inspire meaningful change. Her work
spans multiple channels, from digital platforms to traditional media, where she
develops integrated marketing campaigns and immersive experiences, driving
behaviour change through strategic content.
She contributes as a freelance writer and researcher for Under the Rainbow,
focusing on crucial social issues including diversity, equity, inclusion,
LGBTIQIA+, and gender-based violence. Her previous experience includes a
significant tenure at purpleberry communications, where she led creative
strategy and campaign execution.
Throughout her career, which began in the late 1990s, Vanashree has worked with
prominent organisations including the SABC, building expertise in various
content formats from television scripts to social media strategies. Her current
portfolio includes work for major platforms and organisations, demonstrating
her ability to craft impactful communications that resonate with diverse
audiences.