Homeowners in Johannesburg and East London will showcase beautiful gardens to raise money for charities.
This attractive small garden owned by Mrs Maggie Connor is on display during the Pam Golding Properties Gardens of East London competition this weekend.
The Houghton Heritage Weekend on the 22 and 23 September will host Gardens of the Golden City showcasing nine gardens of some unique heritage homes in Upper Houghton.
Lynne Ludolph of the of the Gardens of the Golden City, in Upper Houghton was declared a heritage area a couple of years back and the area was developed from 1902 for iconic South African entrepreneurs – the likes of the Barlows, Margos and Kentridges among others.
“Over 100 years has allowed this area to become the home of huge Jacarandas and Oaks but has reserved the panoramic scenery over the northern suburbs,” she says.
The earliest homes and schools in the area date back to the early 1900s and scant 15 years after Johannesburg was formally established in 1886.
The tour start at 26 St Patrick Road and KES will give a historical tour lasting 45 minutes of the school including the new library and museum.
Funds raised will be donated to Gerald Fitzpatrick (Home for the Aged), Headway, Johannesburg Welfare and Jukskei River Project.
Opening times on both days will be from 10am to 5pm and entrance fee is R50.
Visit www.gardensofthegoldencity.co.za or call Lynne Ludolph on 082 689 0930
The Houghton Heritage Weekend on the 22 and 23 September will host Gardens of the Golden City showcasing nine gardens of some unique heritage homes in Upper Houghton.
Selected beautiful gardens in East London will be on display this weekend aimed at raising money for charities.
According to Pam Golding Properties (PGP) East London, in 2011, more than R60 000 was raised from the Gardens of East London competition and the agency expects a good turnout this year.
PGP East London principal Hanlie Bassingthwaighte explains that from 10am till 5pm over the two day weekend, 15 of the most beautiful gardens will be on display to the public.
Each garden is ‘attached’ to a charity and these include: Child Welfare, Meals on Wheels, Petpals, SPCA, Greansleaves, Reach for a Dream, Salem Baby Centre, Breath of Life, CANSA, Hospice, Women’s Prison and Uthixo Ulungile.
She says each garden is manned by its relevant, associated charity and those visiting the garden are encouraged to make a donation in lieu of an entry fee.
“We have 14 entries from township gardens, which are all judged on their food gardens.”
This year an incentive of the Buffalo Child Care and Development Association was to utilise the PGP Garden competition to teach crèche owners how to cultivate a vegetable garden in order to help provide food resources, she says.
The Step Ahead Crèche in Amalinda, East London - On the far left (holding the cabbage) is Ann Mpitipiti of Step Ahead Crèche and on the far right is Gloria Lemani of Nobuntu Crèche –both of whom are involved in the Buffalo Child Care and Development Association.
Earlier in the year PGP purchased a garden fork for each of the 100 crèches in the local community, while seedlings were donated by Lone Oak Seedlings.
During the year local garden enthusiast and a former winner in the garden competition, Irene Erasmus taught the crèche owners gardening skills.
Bassingthwaighte says being involved in the property industry, they know it’s a fact that an attractive and well-cared for garden can not only provide a relaxing and tranquil haven for a family, it can also enhance the value of a property.
“When the time comes to sell the property, it creates a favourable impression for buyers.”
She says while they initiated and sponsored the Gardens of East London competition mainly in order to inspire homeowners to create beautiful gardens and promote water-wise gardening through the use of indigenous plants, they are delighted that this is also helping boost support for charities in our local community.
“This weekend provides an ideal opportunity to gain inspiration and ideas for your own garden or simply enjoy visiting and viewing these beautiful gardens – while at the same time helping local charities,” she adds.
Information brochures and maps will be available from any of the show gardens.
For further information, visit the office located at 34 Pearce Street or call 043 705 400 or email: eastlondon@pamgolding.co.za – Denise Mhlanga
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