Dave Sutherland, Bergvliet
Riding on my electric scooter during a beautiful day in Bergvliet, I came across some lovely milk cows and their bull in the field adjacent to Aristea Road in the charming village of Dreyersdal.
Having lived here for exactly 40 years, I find myself reminiscing about the immense privilege it is to reside in this leafy suburb, surrounded by mountains, farms, and a dairy herd. In the past on Dreyersdal farm, we’ve enjoyed horses, donkeys, ostriches, and guinea fowl, along with the noisy hadedas, a myriad of small birds, a murder of crows, squirrels, occasional porcupines, nocturnal escapee rabbits, fish eagles, and various birds of prey such as hawks, along with kingfishers. We also have shops, schools, and, most importantly, wonderful, kind neighbours.
Over the years, we have witnessed three generations of families entering the neighbourhood, attending school, getting married, and returning with their own children to settle in the area. We’ve seen neighbours move in without any verge development, only to transform their verges into stunning displays that could be worthy of botanical recognition.
The warm weather (and sometimes the not-so-warm weather) brings little children out with nannies on excursions around the neighbourhood, often ending up at one of the parks or open spaces. Here, kids and nannies have the chance to socialise, play, and share the latest snippets of gossip. Our area continues to evolve, with a constant hum of bakkies and lorries delivering construction workers and materials to various building sites and gardens.
In the 40 years we have lived here, we’ve witnessed the neighbourhood transition from gardens open to the road to walled-in fronts that, while introducing their own form of austere beauty, can sometimes feel isolating. Safety has ebbed and flowed; we’ve experienced periods of heightened insecurity only to find ourselves feeling reasonably safe again, largely due to walls, electric fences, alarms, armed security responders, and our much-loved BKM Watch. BKM began as a small initiative by selfless residents volunteering their time and resources to patrol the area, armed with vehicle decals and two-way radios. It has since grown into a state-of-the-art radio control centre with dedicated patrols and armed guards in BKM vehicles. The expenses of BKM are generously supported by our residents through small monthly donations, but additional financial supporters are needed to enhance the service even further.
Our three major schools, Sweet Valley Primary, Bergvliet Primary and Bergvliet High School, year after year, produce (mostly) well-behaved, well-educated children, who are ready to take on the world.
Our local shopping centre in Meadowridge, though a bit tired and in need of upgrades, has served us well. We have nearby hospitals, doctors’ consulting rooms, and a variety of health practitioners and salons providing essential services.
In the late afternoons and early evenings, we enjoy watching groups of runners and walkers pacing through the neighbourhood, committed to their health and socialisation. At other times, we see elderly residents, sometimes accompanied by their dogs, taking leisurely walks while reminiscing about days gone by and reflecting on friends and family who may no longer be with us. On weekends, teenagers can often be seen roaming the area on foot, bikes or skateboards, chattering and laughing as they enjoy life. Witnessing their journey from childhood into young adulthood, the excitement of learning to drive and eventually gaining independence, is truly gratifying.
As we age, many of us find ourselves living in spacious, well-appointed homes with just one or two occupants, as children move out to begin their own independent lives, sometimes far away. We cling to our homes, hoping for occasional visits from family, children, grandchildren, and friends. However, there may come a time when we need to sell and downsize into smaller residences or retirement homes where we can receive the care and love we’ll need in our final days. In some cases, children may move back in with us while we shift into the granny flat, creating a mutually beneficial scenario. Others may find themselves moving into their children’s homes and, hopefully, still living in this lovely area.
Whatever your path, I hope your faith in God, love for family, and good health will accompany you throughout your days. Let us all remember the blessing of living in this wonderful neighbourhood and cherish the opportunity to continue being part of it, especially for those who are just beginning their journey here.
