GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route Botanical Garden (GRBG) in George is receiving expertise and help from as far as Germany in Western Europe. 

The first steps in this process were realised last week with the arrival of Jörn Bernhardt, a retired economist with more than 40 years' experience in NPOs (non-profit organisations).

Finn Rautenbach, manager of the GRBG, told the George Herald they are excited about the new development. "We have recently received support from the German government in the form of their Senior Expert Service (SES). This is a skills development programme where skilled professionals are sent to NPOs in developing countries in order to assist with pertinent issues such as fundraising."

It is hoped that the GRBG, which is regarded as a jewel of George and the Garden Route, will be optimised to even bigger potential. A number of things are already in the pipeline, one of them the opening of a new restaurant. The former restaurant was closed earlier this year and an announcement will be made shortly about the new restaurant.

According to Rautenbach, Bernhardt is a fund-raising expert who has successfully developed numerous NPOs throughout Africa to become success stories. This includes Swaziland and Ethiopia. He has also been an advisor to the Indonesian government.

The SES programme makes provision that the sponsors (Germany) pay for the travel and accommodation costs of the advisor. Some of the main focuses of the programme are climate change and biodiversity.

Bernhardt had the opportunity to observe during the first days of his visit and will make a presentation to stakeholders on 17 October before leaving on the 20th. He says he noticed a few gaps during his first walks around the garden. One of them is the lack of signage to the entrance ticket booths.

Bernhardt, who celebrated his 72nd birthday on Tuesday 1 October, said he had been in the Garden Route before and always wanted to come back. "I love the people and would like to help."

In a programme like this, he says, he does not just hand out advice; he also "receives" by listening and learning, building his own experience. So far he is impressed by what he has seen. He says it is important that all the stakeholders in the city understand that the GRBG has big potential that they can benefit from it.

Finn Rautenbach (left), manager of the Garden Route Botanical Garden, with Jörn Bernhardt, a retired economist from Germany who is sharing his expertise with the garden as part of the Senior Expert Service (SES), a German initiative. Photos: Eugene Gunning

The community must also be proud of the GRBG. "If people consider the garden as an island in the ocean, it will fail." He says the community must get involved, especially younger people and learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

Although the GRBG is learning from other botanical gardens all over the world, he stressed that it is not another Kirstenbosch. The GRGB is unique. "We need to develop a niche and a unique garden."

If all goes to plan, he would like to see the GRBG being integrated more into the society of George. Attracting more people could lead to attracting money that can be used to the benefits of the garden. He is prepared to help again after this visit, if asked.

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