A blooming good idea

FIFTY years after the Mothflora flower sales stall was established at Stellawood Cemetery, the fundraising project is still going strong.

In 1965, finding that funds needed to be raised for his shellhole, the then Old Bill of Long Distance Snipers, MOTH Don Sandison, hit on the idea of selling flowers.

This was a daunting task so he called on the assistance of Miss Betsie Kruger of Glory Bang Shellhole. And that, as they say in the classics, is where the story really begins.

Together, these two individuals negotiated with the city council for an area within Stellawood Cemetery, and with the Ram family florists for the supply of flowers.

One of the Ram brothers, “Lucky” took them under his wing, negotiating a very good deal on the cost of flowers and also donating buckets.

The Old Bill admitted some years later that he thought the project might have a five year life span, never dreaming that 50 years later they would still be operating.

From the humble beginnings of a capital outlay of 200 pounds for a canvas shelter and a trough for flowers, this enterprise has continued to grow in popularity with the Durban public. The proceeds of the flower sales are used for charitable purposes through the MOTH organisation.

Mothflora is run entirely by volunteers, among whom the group is proud to have Mrs Lou Richmond who has worked tirelessly for 42 years. Being a resident of Red Hill she would take two buses to and from the cemetery every time she worked there.

Currently, the majority of the volunteers are residents of the MOTH cottages, and do four hour shifts every Saturday, Sunday and on public holidays, selling flowers at the cemetery entrance.

Mothflora also provides a service for all occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and Mothers' Day.