Plant expert’s dreams in full bloom
Giba Gorge welcomes new nursery and conservancy, initiated by well known plant expert Wilbur Mahlamvu.
WELL known plant expert and conservationist, Wilbur Mahlamvu, has finally achieved his lifelong dream of opening his own nursery.
Mahlamvu grew up on his father’s farm in the Transkei and worked as a cattle and sheep herder until 1991.
In 1992 he started working with Jonathan Foley, a landscape artist. “I helped him grow exotic, indigenous plant and alien plants, while learning a great deal about landscaping,” said Mahlamvu. Foley is currently a landscaping lecturer at DUT.
In 1993 Mahlamvu was employed by Dr Ian Whitton at his indigenous nursery called Afroflora. “I was taught to run the nursery, identify various plants and how to propagate plants, so that Dr Whitton could retire. I would go to forests and grasslands to collect seeds,” said Mahlamvu.
It was during this time that Mahlamvu grew popular among residents in the area. His vast knowledge and passion for plants as well as his enthusiasm to share his knowledge encouraged residents to come to him with their plant related issues and questions. While working at Afroflora, Mahlamvu also completed an environmental education course on professional development at the Umgeni Nature Reserve in Howick.
Currently, Mahlamvu runs his nursery at the Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park in Pinetown. “I opened the nursery to propagate plants to sell and to assist Chris Harburn, the owner of the bike park with the development of Giba Gorge. Alien plants are being removed,” said Mahlamvu.
He also hosts guides walks in Giba Gorge, providing residents with information on the fauna and flora, and has initiated his own conservancy, the Giba Gorge Conservancy in 2013. “The aim of the conservancy is to conserve the fauna and flora for future generations,” added Mahlamvu.
The Hillcrest Conservancy has also asked Mahlamvu to share his knowledge during the guided walks held at the Glenholme Nature Reserve in Kloof.
