Embracing the beauty of Africa’s oldest surviving Botanic garden- ‘The Durban Botanic Garden’

 By Hajira Langa

Durban Botanical garden, lake area
Durban Botanic Garden Lake area

Along with seeding plants and trees that have stood the test of time, the Durban Botanic Garden will celebrate its 174th anniversary in April 2023.

Since its founding in 1849, the garden rich in history has played a vital role in the city’s life.

The Durban Botanical Garden is situated in Durban Berea on the East coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The indigenous and exotic nature of collections such as cycads, palms, and orchids promote a very rich teaching and learning to better understand the world of plants.

The Botanic Garden was established by the Natal Agricultural and Horticultural society as early as 1849. The garden began as a vegetable, fruit, and other agricultural produce farming garden, and has since evolved into a significant botanical station, gaining local and international acclaim for its research, plant collection, educational outreach, and efforts to connect people with plants and nature.

The Garden displays views of natural scenery containing exotic trees and plants that were collected from around the world. The garden began as an agricultural research station for the trial of agricultural crops that included tea and coffee. However, it was sugar that proved to be the most successful and resulted in the development of sugar industry in KwaZulu-Natal.

Japanese garden with trees and plants only from Japan

The Durban Botanical Garden is renowned for its significant collection of the South African Cycad species as well as the original Cycad specimen, which is still considered as the rarest and oldest plants in the world dating back to Jurassic period, around 160 million years ago.

Cycad collection- which is one of the oldest and rarest species.




Botanic gardens has a series of activities and events that one can indulge in, and entrance to the Botanic Garden are free.

 Here are a few things that people can do at the Durban Botanic Gardens this Winter:

1. Picnics

·   Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to setting picnics at Botanical Garden, the lake area is popular spot to relax and admire the birdlife, the lake is fed by a natural spring and is home to many aquatic birds. If you are looking to unwind, try birdwatching at the lake.

·   The Sunken Garden is one of the most romantic spots in the garden are a great place for those seeking peace and relaxation.

·    Those seeking shade will appreciate a picnic under the tall trees that are scattered throughout the garden.

2. Golf cart tours

Tours take place every 30 minutes, and the Botanical Garden staff takes the guest on a tou r around the garden as they enlighten them on the history and the attraction sites of the garden. Tours are priced at R100 for 30 minutes and you can book for a golf cart tour at the information office at the garden, and discounted rates are offered for children and pensioners.

3. A walk around the historic trees and flowers

Several studies have proven that being in nature has a powerful positive effect on the mind, body and spirit. Therefore, if you are one that is looking to better your mental and physically health, a walk at the garden will do you good.


Beautiful, historic and diverse, the Durban Botanic Garden is the little piece of paradise that you need to get away from any adversities of the world.

 The garden is open from Monday- Sunday from 07:30 to 17:15.















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Being A Woman & A Street Vendor

Image
By Nothando Luthuli Research states that the informal economy provides a living, employment and an income for 2.5 million people in South Africa. It is estimated that one million people of this 2.5 million are street vendors, and 90% of them are women.  Reports such as the WIEGO's 2012 Informal Economy Monitoring Study (IEMS), stated that street vendors are a major contributor to the strengthening of their communities. They strengthen their communities by providing household incomes, by creating jobs for people who would otherwise not be able to get jobs in the formal economy, by sometimes contributing to the safety of their communities and by being a source of revenue for their cities. STREET VENDOR - JUDITH LANGA  Some of these street vendors are people like 73 year old Fikile Mnikathi who put her three children and her late daughters two children through school and university, with the money she maked from doing alterations, and selling bath salts and sweets.    “I put my three
Read more

ON THE ROCK: AN UNFORGETTABLE HIGH

Image
Brandon Lee Khan at uThongathi. Mawande Mzobe The youth of today has succumbed to the abuse of drugs and the hunger for money for a better lifestyle. The pressure within their generational spheres lays heavily on their shoulders, coupled with mental health issues which are hardly talked about within their social groups. They rely on escape methods that soon become addictions, which are hard to let go once hooked through a single blunt and blow. A young, intelligent, and multi-talented man stands isolated hustling for survival whilst battling his addiction. Those who pass him think less of him as the condition of his clothes have defined him without him having to say anything. The conditions of his shoes are worn-out, old and seem to tear, but they are still functional. In his baggy clothes he smiles, greets, and continues his day job in repudiation of the ugly stares and looks passed onto him. Brandon Lee Khan working during the day in uThongathi. Brandon Lee Khan (25) has been
Read more