Mpho Chinowe

Growing up in Zimbabwe, Mpho Chinowe, her family and all her neighbours grew their own food.  “There were many different varieties and lots of fruit trees that we do not find here in South Africa. We had a big garden and would exchange crops with our neighbours if they had something interesting,” she recalls.  After…

Boston Dargle Impendle

The iconic Inhlosane ridge, visible from across the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, rises to 2026m from the surrounding settlements of Impendle, Boston and Dargle.   From the peak, the views of countryside and the Drakensberg are incredible. In this area, you are likely to spot the Cape Parrot flying between patches of indigenous forest, Wattled Crane foraging in…

Senecio polyodon

Zulu name: ihubo Many marshy areas in the Midlands are a mass of mauve right now as this dainty Senecio blooms.  Clearly the early rains this season suit the plant, as I have never seen it flowering quite so profusely. There are two species of this purple-headed Senecio growing together, so it is a little…

Thandiwe Sokhela

A kind, committed, caring teacher is the best sort of teacher. For 37 years Thandiwe Sokhela worked to create an excellent learning environment for the pupils under her guidance at Shea O’Çonnor School in Nottingham Road.  It may have been ‘just a farm school’ in 1983 but determined to make a difference in the lives…

River Lily

Crinum bulbispermum Common name: Orange River Lily, Afrikaans name: Vleilielie, Sotho Name: lelutla, Zulu name: umnduze Found naturally on river banks, in wetlands and seasonal pans, this large bulb produces big pink and white striped flowers in springtime. Up to 16 trumpet-shaped flowers form one inflorescence on the tall stalk, opening in succession to reveal…

Kath Fourie

The Midlands hills might be dotted with dairy farmers but tucked away in Curry’s Post is a delicious surprise.  Kath Fourie is our local tofu goddess.   With more and more people concerned about the impact their food choices have on climate change and their personal health, the plant-based sector of the food industry is growing…

Natal crocus

Apodolirion buchananii, icukudwane. This enchanting little bulb (part of the Amaryllidaceae family) is one of the first grassland flowers to bloom in Spring.  Usually, it is very obvious when fields have been burnt, but the small, solitary, white flowers are also easy to spot in dry, unburnt grass, as in the picture – the little…

Muzi Ndlela

When Muzi was growing up in kwaPata his job was to look after the family goats.  This was quite a responsibility for a young boy, one he took seriously even though it meant he had to stop playing with his friends to fetch them in for the night. “If anything happened to the goats while…

Prince Ababio

While assisting with the clean up in the aftermath of the recent chaos in Howick, Prince Ababio overheard many people complaining about having no food, and stressed because there was no bread to buy. “What can I do?” he wondered, “I have good spinach growing behind my shop, so best I gift people who need…

An Impendle Summer

Plant enthusiasts find floral treasures wherever they wander. Sharp eyes spot interesting things along roadsides, on working farms and in residential areas – often in unexpected places.   The Impendle area is rich in special flora. Kniphofia laxiflora are particularly spectacular, Plenty of Kniphofia buchananii . The altitude in Impendle is much higher than the surrounding midlands, so it…