imhoff's gift

wildlife sanctuary estate

imhoff's gift

Where Tranquility and Biodiversity Unite

Our little haven nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of the protected Wildevoel Vlei, a sanctuary teeming with a vibrant tapestry of birds and wildlife. This remarkable gem is harmoniously intertwined with the Noordhoek Wetlands, an ecosystem of abundant fertility, reminiscent of its historical origins as lush vegetable gardens that once catered to ships in Simon’s Town.

our nature

Where Humans and Nature Coexist

We are so priviledged to live in this nature lover’s paradise, where tranquility and biodiversity converge! We all need to be respectful and appreciative of the precious gift that we are fortunate enough to witness daily. It is a privilege to wake up to the symphony of birdsong, to witness the vibrant hues of a sunrise painting the sky, and to stroll through pristine trails that showcase the wonders of our environment. With this privilege comes a responsibility—to be stewards of this sanctuary, to tread lightly on the Earth, and to safeguard the delicate ecosystems that make Imhoff’s Gift a haven for biodiversity. Let us be mindful of our impact, practicing sustainable habits and nurturing a deep appreciation for the interconnected web of life that surrounds us.

living here

Living here means being part of something greater than oneself, an interconnected web of kindness, passion, and shared purpose. In this truly amazing community, life takes on new meaning, and every day is an opportunity to build cherished memories and forge lifelong connections. Welcome home to a place where dreams take flight and hearts find their truest home.

HISTORY

Imhoff’s Gift is named in honour of Baron Gustav Wilhelm von Imhoff, who was in the Cape in 1743 as Commissioner Extraordinaire of the Dutch East India Company, on his way to Batavia (modern Indonesia) to take up office as the newly appointed Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. (The spelling of his name varies considerably – Gustav or Gustaaf, Wilhelm or Willem, and von Imhoff or van Imhoff. The reason is that although he was born in Germany, he worked most of his life for the Dutch East India Company, so the German and Dutch spellings of his name tend to be used inter-changeably). Imhoff was born in 1705 in the north-western German town of Leer, the son of a nobleman, Baron Wilhelm Heinrich von Imhoff. He joined the Dutch East India Company [the ‘Vereenigde Ostindische Compagnie’, or ‘VOC’] in 1725, when he was 20 years old, and served them until his death in 1750 at the young age of 45. During his time in the Cape, as a senior VOC official, he ordered the building of the refreshment station at Simons Bay to re-supply VOC ships that were now overwintering in that more sheltered harbour rather than risk the severe north-westerly gales that regularly battered Table Bay in winter.

ighoa

The Imhoff’s Gift Homeowners' Association

When Imhoff’s Gift was planned and developed as a residential estate back in the mid-1990s, the developers, Red Cliff Property CC, stipulated that there would be a Homeowners’ Association, and that all original purchasers of a plot, as well as their successors in title, would be obliged to be members of the association and to abide by its constitution.

In due course, the Imhoff’s Gift Homeowners’ Association (IGHOA) was constituted as a body corporate in terms of the provisions of Section 29 of the Land Use Planning Ordinance (LUPO) at the Inaugural Meeting of the IGHOA in 1995. Since then, all owners of properties in Imhoff’s Gift have automatically been members of IGHOA.

There have been periods when IGHOA was not as active as it should have been, but it has always existed as a legal entity, as has the obligation of property owners to belong to the association, to pay levies and to abide by its constitution.

IGHOA’s constitution mandates it to deal with two matters in particular: the security of everyone who lives in Imhoff’s Gift, and the maintenance of architectural standards according to the estate’s design manual. In addition, IGHOA has taken on responsibility for maintaining some of the common areas of the estate – the verges along Atlantic Drive, the play-park, and the vlei paths, foot bridges
and benches.

IGHOA has an annual general meeting, usually in February, at which every property has a single vote. The trustees are elected at the AGM and serve for the following year. Elected trustees are entitled to co-opt additional trustees if necessary.

The current trustees are: Mike Pothier (Chair); Willi Schalk (Vice-chair); Dorothy Summers (Finance); Kevin Mitchell (Architecture); Marleen de Klerk; and Wendy Stovold.