Colleagues, friends and family of environmental activist Marie-Louise Roux met in Kirstenhof at the weekend to honour her.
Speaking at the gathering at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) premises, Kommetjie conservationist and activist Patrick Dowling said Ms Roux, who died last year at the age of 86, had been an inspiration and had helped many across language, colour and class boundaries.
Ms Roux lived in Vredehoek for decades and led a simple life, shared information readily and was a tireless volunteer.
She knew the letter and spirit of laws, regulations and policies in great detail and took decision makers to task and if necessary to court for slackness or dereliction of duty in administering conservation of the natural environment and heritage in a biased or ignorant way.
The presentation was a specially crafted ceramic plate that depicted the fynbos and background of buildings that comprised Cape Town in the 18th century.
The plate was handed to her family at the special presentation.
A tree was also planted in her honour, and others were given to her family, Annelie Roux, Michelle Roux and Inka Lewis, for planting and care in their own gardens.
