10/2012 – CMA Award for “most sustainable installation”

Installed by Terraforce approved contractors, Dassenberg Retaining and Decorton Retaining Systems, the blocks are plantable and permeable, allowing the landscapers free reign.” The result is a balance of large trees, mainly indigenous shrubs, perennials and groundcovers that swathe and run alongside the retaining walls, roads and paddocks.

The planted Rock Face blocks blend with the natural environment

The planted Rock Face blocks blend with the natural environment

Mainly indigenous shrubs, perennials and groundcovers swathe the retaining walls

Mainly indigenous shrubs, perennials and groundcovers swathe the retaining walls


According to Keith Kirsten Horticulture International (Pty) Ltd, a leading horticultural company, the overall feel of the landscaping is very natural and fresh: “No expense was spared to remodel the indigenous terrain; a lot of the indigenous plants were chosen to meld in with the endemic vegetation and seed harvested from the prevalent species pool to be incorporated into hydro-seeding new planting areas.

The main background planting consists of carefully constructed fynbos groups – colour coordinated with particular detail to texture and variety. The existing fynbos lands are interspersed between the working vineyards, dams and waterways, farmland, paddocks and abound with a large diversity of wild flowers, wildlife and atmosphere.”

Terracrete hard lawn pavers were installed between the paddocks for water absorption

Terracrete hard lawn pavers were installed between the paddocks for water absorption

The entire estate have strategically placed Terrracrete blocks installed

The entire estate has strategically placed Terrracrete blocks installed


Between the paddocks, permeable Terracrete hardlawn pavers were installed by the main civil contractor, Power Construction. These pavers, manufactured and supplied by Mobicast in George, are designed to handle storm water runoff and add a park-like or pastoral feel to areas normally needing hard paving or tar.

 Says John Mellish of Mellish Paving: “Because the construction of impermeable barriers on the surface reduce the rate of groundwater replenishment, permeable hard lawn pavers were installed between the paddocks, to return storm-water back to the ground and to prevent the grass becoming a mud bath at each gate. In this case, the pavers are placed on 150 mm layer of sub base with coredrains at strategic locations. Topsoil in the Terracrete blocks allows for easy establishment of grasses and plants.”

The estate committed to planting thousands of plants

The estate committed to planting thousands of plants

Large diversity of wild flowers, wildlife and atmosphere

Large diversity of wild flowers, wildlife and atmosphere


This, and a commitment to planting thousands of species which will attract and feed more wildlife species endemic to the Cape Region and Floral Kingdom, make Cavalli a leading example of an estate willing to contribute to a sustained future of the Botanic Biosphere of the area.

Taco Voogt, CMA president and acting director, presented the awards: “The CMA has always advocated the maintenance of high standards in the manufacture and application of precast concrete products and our Awards for Excellence competition reflects this.”