Durban Botanic Gardens get lit for festive event

Preparation has been done and planting of beds has started for this annual event.

Durban Botanic Gardens staff by one of the areas they are working on landscaping for the event: (back) Thembi Jumba, Innocent Dlamini, Jennifer Rampersad, Richard Shange, Hugz Naicker, (front) Hlengiwe Ndlovu, Venita Khamal and Michael Njabulo.

STAFF at Durban Botanic Gardens have been hard at work preparing the gardens for the upcoming annual Trail of Lights event.

Jennifer Rampersad from Durban Botanic Gardens said they were currently landscaping and designing beds in preparation for the event, which will run from 12 to 30 December.

Lights have been installed in the gardens by Magic Lighting, ready for the big opening night next Thursday, and Francois Lenferna from the Production and Design unit within the Parks Department has started to add the decorative Trail of Lights elements such as structures and displays.

Working hard at the Sunken Gardens site are Richard Shange, Jennifer Rampersad, Wandile Nzuza and Michael Njabulo.

“It is our responsibility to landscape and design the beds and the gardens’ staff have had a month to transform the different beds and areas. Preparation has been done and planting of beds has started for this annual event, with help from Parks and Nurseries. More plants will arrive soon for us to add to the Sunken Gardens and gazebo area,” said Jennifer.

ALSO READ: Tour the Durban Botanic Gardens

Now in its third year, the Durban Botanic Gardens Trail of Lights has become a must-do on the city’s festive season calendar. The gardens will be festooned with millions of lights and themed areas will include an African village, the garden of stars, a mini Jurassic park, pathways of romance, a butterfly sanctuary, a magic lighting digital experience, a large 2019 motif and a kids’ themed display.

Situated near the lake, the food garden will feature 30 vendors and the festive market offers visitors the chance to do some last-minute gift shopping.

This year’s entertainment will feature various students from Glenwood’s Rock Academy and CODA in the Bluff.

Tickets are available from www.webtickets.co.za or Pick ‘n Pay for R65 per person and there are limited tickets for R80 per person available at the door.

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