29 Apr 2026
This sold-out event addressed key questions about how our fire-driven fynbos ecosystems work and how to protect them
On Wednesday, 29 April 2026, SmallTalX® welcomed Dr Brian du Preez to the Franschhoek Theatre for a timely and important talk on fynbos as a fire-driven ecosystem.
Living within this unique floral kingdom, it is vital that we understand the complexities of fire — both for our own safety and for the long-term health of the ecosystems surrounding us. Dr du Preez helped audiences distinguish between healthy ecological fires, which are essential to fynbos regeneration, and destructive fires that threaten biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
A central focus of the discussion was the role of invasive alien vegetation, which can intensify fires beyond the temperatures that fynbos ecosystems are naturally adapted to withstand. The talk offered valuable insight into the delicate balance required to ensure the sustainable coexistence of people, fire, and one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots.
