GEORGE NEWS - November marks the 25th anniversary of the Garden Route Botanical Garden after it was officially opened in November 1998 by the then mayor. Melford Ntshokovu.
Converting an untidy jungle of black wattle trees, an area used by vagrants and illegal waste dumpers, into a recognised and magnificent botanical garden is a story of vision, hope, determination and hard work by a group of dedicated volunteers.
Seed planted
The idea of establishing a wildflower garden or nature reserve to preserve the rare flora of our region germinated 60 years ago.
In June 1963, Prof H Rycraft, director of the National Botanical Institute, addressed about 40 locals at the George Arts Theatre about the importance of preserving our natural heritage which was fast disappearing because of urban expansion.
The very next month, the Garden Club of 20 was established and an area between the Witfontein forest station and the Malgas River along Montagu Pass was mooted as the ideal site. However, the landownership hurdle was too complicated and after three years no finality had been reached.
Fortunately, in 1968, a 12-hectare stretch of land between today's Van Riebeeck Garden up to the railway line in Caledon Street was declared a nature reserve by Administrator Nico Malan.
However, the land lay fallow for 19 years and was totally overgrown with black wattle trees and other alien plants. Urban crawl accelerated in the early 1990s and developers were pressurising the George Municipality to sell the vacant land for development.
This triggered the municipality to publish, via a newsletter, a report about the importance of the historical furrow and old dams in the reserve and how it could become a major tourist attraction in future.
Botanical Society of South Africa (Botsoc) steps in
A dedicated group of volunteers responded by establishing a Garden Route branch of Botsoc in 1992. This group was spearheaded by Prof Adré Boshoff, the late Prof John Reid, Mandy Fick and Dr Charles Deacon who fought relentlessly to secure the land for a botanical garden.
The municipality finally agreed in principle to make the alien-infested land available for establishing a botanical garden, but insisted that a trust must be formed to manage the land.
Three years later, in 1995, a trust was established, all the members of which were Botsoc members. The trust consisted of Prof Adré Boshoff, Mandy Fick, Clare Wallace, Di Grant, Pat Gillespie, Yvette van Wyk, Jan Vlok and Dudley King.
The forming of the trust allowed for the garden to be officially called the Garden Route Botanical Garden, which carried the blessing of the municipality when it opened in November 1998.
Work commences
Botsoc members took on the task with great commitment and enthusiasm. Under the guidance of landscaper Di Grant, the garden's layout and paths were established. Margaret Addinal, who lived in Belvedere (Knysna), travelled to George several times per week whenever the need arose.
Addinal devoted her energies to the removal of alien vegetation while indigenous plants were collected from developments in Hartenbos and Knysna.
The Botsoc Garden Route branch played a major role in establishing this magnificent facility. Apart from physically becoming involved, the academic and scientific knowledge and practical experience of the members formed the bedrock of this most successful project which, until 2007, was the primary focus of the Garden Route branch of Botsoc.
The garden is a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle. Photo: Karla Grobler
Finances and donations
Between 1998 and 2013, Botsoc provided R300 000 or more for establishing the garden and contributing towards running costs. They financed the marketing and plant purchases for the regular plant sales that were the main source of income for the garden.
Newplant Indigenous Nursery near Victoria Bay was owned by Paul and Mandy Fick, who supplied plants at 50% below their wholesale prices and also donated many thousands of plants.
Indigenous plants are flourishing in the garden. Photo: Karla Grobler
Becoming independent
The Botsoc Garden Route Branch had to refocus their activities post 2007. The GRBG Trust had registered as an NPO (non-profit organisation) in their own right and by then boasted a paying membership base.
In the next article, stories will be shared about the Southern Cape Herbarium, Audrey Moriarty Centre and the propagation nursery which all contributed to the success of the garden.
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