Durban Botanic Gardens: Lockdown to now

“AT last!” breathe residents of the city and its surrounds. The Berea’s much loved, landmark Durban Botanic Gardens (DBG) which has been in recess for the past months since the advent of the Covid-19 lockdown, is now open, with ‘terms and conditions’ (see info block below), to restricted numbers of members of the public.

According to an eThekwini Municipality website, “A wilder botanic garden awaits given that we have very few of our maintenance staff on site during lockdown… we encourage you to enjoy the more natural experience of the Gardens.”

Like the rest of the city’s parks, DBG had a skeleton staff on duty responsible for only very basic maintenance during levels five and four. Since the advent of level three however, the Gardens started getting ready to receive visitors.

A walk-about earlier in the month with members of the DBG team, revealed how the Gardens had fared during the extended phase of having no members of the public and limited workers, on site.

Martin Clement, Curator of the Gardens, inspecting the lie of the land around the Lily Pond, was enthusiastic about the impact a newly installed drainage project would have on the lawns and general maintenance of this area.

“We started laying the underground pipes and drains before lockdown, and it’s proving to be all in working order,” exclaimed Martin, as we heard the gurgling belch of water passing out through a discretely situated pipe into the lake, a central feature of the Gardens. Created in the late 1950s, the lake has a natural spring as its own water source, in addition to capturing runoff from the eastern slopes of the Berea. These factors contribute to a high water table in the lower reaches of Durban Botanic Gardens.

Prior to installation of the drainage system, visitors and staff would have to tread sodden grass on lawns the surrounding the Lily Pond in front of the Orchid House, whenever it rained. Now, it seems that the soggy shoes and muddy feet experienced in this part of the Gardens are going to be a thing of the past. “This drainage project, funded by the DBG Trust, is part of a larger picture,” explained Martin. “The ultimate intention is to have the Gardens using its own sourced water supply in the future.”

He said the aim is for the overflow that enters the lake, via the new drainage system and via the natural spring which feeds into it, to be pumped up to the 300,000 litre underground reservoir (completed in 1884) that is situated at the top level of DBG, just below Edith Benson Crescent. This water will be then be channelled to flow back down into the Gardens, using gravity, and be used to water the cultivated areas of the Gardens.

“Ultimately, the project will take us as a ‘water-wise’ botanical garden into a future where we shall not be using potable water for irrigation but our own naturally generated supply. This is in keeping with the need to conserve our natural resources in a time of climate change and drought and it?s in line with the policies which are part of eThekwini’s vision for Durban.”

Jennifer Rampersad, recently appointed Horticulturalist at the Durban Botanic Gardens, joined in on the walk. “During the levels five and four we operated with a small team of three that concentrated on essential, seasonal work and basic maintenance,” she said. “Heritage plant species, centenarian trees and our special collections like those displayed in the Orchid House which draw local and foreign visitors, needed ongoing care and attention throughout the stringent, early days of the lockdown.”

ALSO READ: Community saddened by Tea Garden closure

She said currently, they were working with three small teams, each comprising seven or so staff members that rotate on a three weekly cycle. This is in line with safe Covid-19 work-place practice. “It means that we had slowed down our impact on the now fairly unruly beds but we have started to make inroads. We had 1,000 square metres of grass laid just before the lockdown which has taken very well and is looking established already. We are looking forward to receiving visitors, abeit in limited numbers!” were Jennifer’s farewell words as I set off on my own, very aware that I was extremely privileged to be able to wander this beautiful Garden of many gardens at will, and alone.

A peaceful quiet had settled over the Gardens where the normally raucous Egyptian Geese are low in numbers and voice. Instead, large, stately spur winged geese were very much in evidence. I encountered Peter Cronje, who maintains the Butterfly Garden, where the beds are humming with bees and butterflies on this starkly sunny winter;s day. “There’s a lot of work to be done,” he observed ruefully as we survey the pulled weeds lying in neat heaps on the pathways, his morning’s harvest.

I wandered on, passing old favourites, the aging but still majestic Fever Tree, the ponytail palm whose base looks much like an elephant’s foot, and others as I made my way to the old Tea Garden entrance. Here lies another question – when will this much loved venue for cream scones, jam and tea, open again?  Before I find an answer, I came across a pair of workers.

Nadaratas Hlongwane, having tended the Gardens for the past 21 years, is a legend. “I love this place and I have seen a lot of changes in front of my eyes,” he said sagely. “Colleagues come and go, but I’m still here and I’m still strong!”

Working partner, Michelle Swartbooi, a relative newcomer to DBG having been part of the team for two years, says she has found her ‘second Garden of Eden’. “We are so fortunate to be here, working outdoors, especially at this time of the Coronavirus,” she said.

We go our ways – mine is headed back to the guard at the gate to sign out with a last call to clarify the next chapter in the Tea Garden story; word on the ground is that plans are awaiting Council approval. Hopefully sooner rather than later!

Meanwhile, enjoy Covid-19 style, the renowned Durban Botanic Gardens , Africa’s oldest surviving botanical garden – and it’s in our city.

Rules for visiting the Durban Botanic Gardens (DBG) during Lockdown Level 3

THE Durban Botanic Gardens, along with other City’s parks and nature reserves, opened to visitors on Monday, 27 July, for exercise only.

* DBG will be open to visitors between 7.30am and 2pm, Monday to Friday.

* DBG will be closed on weekends for the time being due to limited staff capacity.

* The Visitors Complex entrance (John Zikhali / Sydenham Road) will be the only entrance open to the public.

* Visitors are urged to be mindful of all the important Covid-19 prevention practices e.g. wearing a mask properly, sanitising and social distancing.

*Only 100 visitors will be allowed into the Gardens at any one time.

*All toilets will be closed.

*No picnics, social gatherings, use of benches, photoshoots, tour groups, group exercise and so on will be permitted.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

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