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Rouvanne van den Berg

@rouvanne.bsky.social
624 followers 461 following 83 posts

Student of wildfire. Fire investigator. Volunteer wildland firefighter. Trainer. Bad fisherman. Land Rover lover. Springbok max fan. Proudly Cape Town, proudly South African.

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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Beautiful Cape Town skies in June.
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
A firewhirl. And an ember storm. Natures beasts. That's the post.
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
My son, the 2025 SA National Junior and u83kg champion, waiting for weigh-in in Tunisia at the African Classic Powerlifting Championships. Proud Papa.
Waiting in SA colours
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
After a call from the community, I had my first catch & release of a beautiful 1.2kg puff adder today. Really special, and pretty chuffed
Danger - snake tubeSafely releasing the puff adderThe puff adder all curled up away from pesky humans
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Stormy night in Cape Town
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
Stunning evening to end the weekend, and what's better than a braai.
A braai above the Mother City
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Goodnight Cape Town
Cape Town at sunset
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Haven't seen it - but have read a fair amount about them. I just have more respect for those who face the hardship with the aim of making SA a better place for all.
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
My family arrived in SA in 1683 and have been a part of the fabric of this country since. Much of it embarrasses me, but they had great strength & resilience. I try hard to make amends for the wrongs of my families past by helping build a strong future for all its people. I am because we are.
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
This is the second 'Great Tsek'. After the South African war a group of Afrikaaners fled to South America thinking they were going to driven into the sea by the Brits. This group will also be forgotten, they dont have the lion heart & resilience real Afrikaaners have. Tot siens!
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Stunning time in the Cederberg. Family, good food, incredible views, and lots of time to chill #beautifulsouthafrica
Leaving dust behind the LandyBeautiful Cederberg The Twee Riviere River playing mirror mirror Suikerbossie camping
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
It's another world below the surface in the kelp forests of the Capes cold Atlantic
Spearfishing in the kelp forestCold clear watersSunshine below the surface Sharing the beauty
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
After some wonderful late summer heat there is nothing better than some rain to cool the soil. But does a beach walk view get any better than this? #beautifulcapetown
A view of Table Mountain and Cape Town
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
Tried out some new flippers today, forgetting to walk backwards #clown
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Such incredible places along the west coast of the Cape. Cape Colombine, Tietiesbaai, Paternoster; as they say 'die weskus issie beskus' #beautifulsouthafrica
Camping on the beachNothing better than a beach braaiFriends around the fireWhat a view to wake up to
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Reposted by Rouvanne van den Berg
BC Wildfire Weekly - Wildfires + More @bcwildfirewkly.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
“No home can be wildfire-proof, but these steps can help” ktla.com/news/califor... - KTLA #CAFire #PalisadesFire #Wildfire #Wildfires
ktla.com
No home can be wildfire-proof, but these steps can help
No home is fireproof, but Steven and Nancy Girmant’s home in the hills of Topanga Canyon is close. “We just want everyone to know that you, as a homeowner, can do this,” Steven told KTLA News. “We …
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Reposted by Rouvanne van den Berg
God @skeetofgod.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Everything happens for a reason you make up afterward.
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Land of the free... Damn, America is sliding fast...
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Reposted by Rouvanne van den Berg
BC Wildfire Weekly - Wildfires + More @bcwildfirewkly.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
“More than 100 firefighters battle blazes on South Africa’s Table Mountain in Cape Town.” apnews.com/article/sout... - AP #CapeTown #SouthAfrica #Wildfires
apnews.com
More than 100 firefighters battle blazes on South Africa's Table Mountain in Cape Town
More than 100 firefighters are battling two blazes on the slopes of South Africa’s Table Mountain. National parks authorities said Wednesday they were starting to bring them under control after the fi...
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
I fight fire. I teach, learn about, work on, prepare for fire. Wildfire is my life. But its kinda different when it's heading towards your neighbourhood #wildfireready #fireiseveryonesfight
Newlands fire crested Table Mountain and came down the slope towards the cityResources got a back burn going to meet itOne flank crept towards the saddle of Devil's Peak Thankfully the wind died down
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
This Friday I will be talking to the community of Greyton about how to make communities and homes more wildfire resilient #wildfireready #fireiseveryonesfight
WildfireReady talk in Greyton about how to make communities more wildfire resilient
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
What a day for walk on the beach with my darling and the dogs, and even getting in a little dip in the cold Atlantic. Sorry if you don't live in Cape Town, you're missing out on paradise... #beautifulcapetown #beautifulsouthafrica
Devils Peak, Table Mountain, Lions Head and Signal Hill from Sunset Beach
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Reposted by Rouvanne van den Berg
GroundUp News @groundup.org.za · 21/02/2025
South Africa’s icebreaker ship, the SA Agulhas II, returned to Cape Town on Monday after taking supplies and a relief crew to South Africa’s Antarctic base, but the results the scientists on board brought back are alarming. Read groundup.org.za/article/iceb... by Steve Kretzmann
groundup.org.za
Icebreaker returns from Antarctica with alarming news
Scientists aboard the SA Agulhas II have been tracking ocean health
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Reposted by Rouvanne van den Berg
Lee Klinger PhD @suddenoaklife.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Fire clearance (aka #FireMimicry) around oaks has some significant, unexpected consequences. This medley of time-lapse videos, each if which shows several hours of work per oak, when sped up, reveals a noticeable uplifting of the lower canopies, thus presumably aiding photosynthetic gains. 🌎🌲🔥🍁🌳
youtu.be
A positive unintended consequence of fire mimicry
YouTube video by Lee Klinger
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
You've bled enough! Its up to the rest of us to continue and aim to emulate you sir!
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Ahh it wasn't too bad. Was painless going in and coming out. It's the cause that is more important anyway
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
First donation of the year, and every 56 days here after. Having a O Negative blood group means it's vital I share #westerncapebloodservice #donatebloodsavelives
With O Neg blood its my duty to share it
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
A Southern Double-collared Sunbird brightened my morning as it popped onto my balcony for a treat.
Southern Double-collared Sunbird
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
Good to get to a prescribed burn in the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve with VWS crews. It was hot, tough, and the 21ha of critically endangered 40 yr + Swartland Shale Renosterveld was stubborn! But we'll be back next week for round six! #volunteers #wildlandfirefighters
VWS crews taking in the view of Table Mountain from Blaauwberg Nature Reserve
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
This is why its called the Cape Doctor. The south easter wind has been battering us, but at the same time cleaning the air across the peninsula #beautifulcapetown
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Had a good standby yesterday. Took crews through some extra training, got an ice cream on Signal Hill while on patrol, and then dealt with a small flare up above Hangberg Hout Bay. Volunteer Wildfire Services have got your back #wildfireready
Standby training with VWSA patrol sometimes involves ice creamDealt with a small flare up above Hangberg, Hout BayPrevious burn scar
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Reposted by Rouvanne van den Berg
Must love 🐶 @rojorurba002.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
How Trump’s Funding Freeze Undermines Wildfire Season Preparation www.propublica.org/article/trum... Good job Trump, just let everything burn 🔥
propublica.org
How Trump’s Federal Funding and Hiring Freezes Are Leaving America Vulnerable to Catastrophic Wildfire
Uncertainty over funding and hiring stemming from the president’s executive orders has limited wildfire training and postponed work to reduce flammable vegetation. It has also led some firefighters to...
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
I buy my darling proteas often, so today I asked the Gardens Centre flower lady for just one for her desk - which she offered for free. So technically the flower lady gave my darling a Valentines protea...
A single Valentines protea
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
The world may feel like its going to sh1t, but at least I got to see a Cape Grey Mongoose in my driveway
A Cape Grey Mongoose
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Listened to only the first 30min of SONA, and yes, we have so much that is wrong in SA, but the colours, the songs, the words of 'cupcake' felt like a light in an ever darkening world. I felt pride. We still have hope.
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Damn. Was going to get up for the fight on Sunday, but now I'd rather just sleep in #fucktrump #elonsemase
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Got away for a few days of mountains, river swims, braais, 4x4ing, and the most incredible night skies at New Moon. There are few places as majestic as the Cederberg
Cederberg - mountains and blue skiesVisarend camp at Suikerbossie Guest Farm Just the two of us Cederberg beauty
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Best part of long dusty roads is how few people you have to deal with along the way.
Kicking up dust in the CederbergEnjo Nature Farm, Biedouw Valley with a sexy Land Rover Long roads to take your time onCederberg and blue skies
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Was truly flabbergasted to have our dinner interrupted by these single brain cell fools at the V&A Waterfront over the weekend. Why would you parade your support here? They got a solid "F*ck Trump" and middle fingers from our table...
Trump supporters in Cape Town!
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
Great mini road trip with my boys in the Cederberg. Piketberg, Clanwilliam, Enjo Nature Farm in the Biedouw Valley, Wupperthal to Ceres, and home. Mountains and skies. Memories are made like this.
San paintings in the Cederberg The Bergie Boys chilling in a San art cave in the Cederberg A cool off swim at Enjo Nature Farm in the Biedouw Valley, Cederberg Beautiful Cederberg mountains
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Reposted by Rouvanne van den Berg
latimesphotos @latimesphotos.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Los Angeles Times photographer Wally Skalij spent the night along Pacific Coast Highway documenting the tragedy. www.latimes.com/california/l...
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
Fires season is well and truly here. The VWS Newlands standby crews that assisted on the Table Mountain Front Face Fire, as well as the medical evac of an injured firefighter (he's good), during our Sunday shift. Passionate volunteers only funded by the public vws.org.za
VWS Newlands standby crewAMS airlifted an injured firefighter from the steep face if Table Mountain
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 28/12/2024
I volunteer at vws.org.za and work with vulcantraining.co.za - we do the Basic Wildfire Suppression, IMS, and position specific courses for the VWS.
vws.org.za
Volunteer Wildfire Services
Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) has been combating wildfires in the Western Cape since 1999. It has over 350 volunteers across four stations (Newlands, Stellenbosch, South Peninsula and Heldeberg). ...
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 28/12/2024
We do quite a bit of direct and parallel attack, having far less trees, and our fires are mostly in mountainous areas which require hiking in, which makes all training very important. We're only about 300+ volunteers over 4 bases - but we set a high safety standard in the Western Cape.
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 28/12/2024
I didn't like seeing that. The intention seemed clear: arm tucked away, diving straight into the leg/knee. Even if it was a plane 'going down'. He wasn't clearing, he wanted it to be eina
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 28/12/2024
Interested in the type and range of training volunteers get? We work within ICS/IMS structures, and our volunteers have to requalify every year after completing winter refreshers and training - skills, fitness, 10s & 18s, and basic wildfire
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 26/12/2024
So good to get out on the sea kayak in Table Bay this morning to watch pods of Heaviside Dolphins jump, tumble and generally put on a good show for us #beautifulcapetown #beautifulsouthafrica
Table Mountain from Table Bay, with the sea playing mirror mirrorWatching dolphins tumble and play in Table Bay
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
Beautiful walk with the dogs in Newlands Forest up to the contour path. We ar so lucky to live in such an amazing part of the world. #capetown #mothercity #tablemountainnationalpark
Lush trees and good paths in Newlands Forest. Happy dogs taking in 1000s of smellsHappy humans on a cool day They didn't need to break, but this picnic spot is meant to be enjoyed
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
Stunning Sunday mountain walk in the rain with my darling and the dogs #tablemountainnationalpark
Soggy, muddy dogs running through the grass on the slopes of Devils Peak Sunday walk with my darling Looking over the city and Lion's Head Walking along the closed section of Tafelberg Road
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Rouvanne van den Berg @rouvanne.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
It was good having a quiet VWS standby duty yesterday, as we were able to learn about the Canadian services from visiting BC firefighter James v Sacken, and then got to take the crews out for some hydrant and pumps training. So many people giving so much, just out of sight #volunteers
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