Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden held its Long Service Awards Retirees’ Function on 2 December 2024, where they paid tribute to four individuals, who have collectively dedicated over 150 years to the garden, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Natalie Fredericks, Nazeem Davids, Graham Duncan and Trevor Solomons were celebrated not just for their milestones but for their service, commitment and ‘unwavering love’ for the environment and their community.
Natalie Fredericks
Fredericks’s story at Kirstenbosch began in June 1984, which marked a return to the place her family had been removed from during the apartheid era.
‘It felt like being home again, surrounded by memories of my childhood playground,’ said Fredericks.
Over the years, Fredericks contributed to the growth of the garden, including the development of new facilities and the evolution of her career.
As the Head of Information, Natalie’s leadership philosophy consisted of teamwork.
‘A leader is as strong as the team, and the team is as strong as the leader,’ said Fredericks.
Her proudest moment came when she met former President Nelson Mandela.
‘It was a privilege to meet someone who embodied unity, much like Kirstenbosch brings people from all over the world together,’ said Fredericks.
As Fredericks stepped into retirement, she plans to travel the world, try new cuisines and ‘deepen her spiritual connection’.
The advice she left for her colleagues was to work together, motivate and support one another.
‘That’s how we build new heights,’ said Fredericks.
Nazeem Davids
With 33 years at Kirstenbosch, Davids’s journey at Kirstenbosch started in 1991, until he retired as a specialist plant propagator.
He was responsible for the cultivation of one of the most popular plant groups at Kirstenbosch, namely the Pelargoniums, which are sometimes incorrectly referred to as Geraniums.
As he climbed the ranks, Davids’s most cherished and recent project was his involvement in the care and long-term maintenance of confiscated plant collections.
The sanctuary of confiscated plant collections contained over 4 500 plants recovered from illegal trade.
‘Seeing these plants thrive under my care was incredibly rewarding,’ said Davids.
Nazeem’s advice for the next generation is to ‘work beyond your scope’.
‘Expose yourself to everything; that’s how you grow,’ Davids.
Davids’s retirement would mean that he would be able to give back to his community and teach gardening through an outreach program in Mitchells Plain.
As he leaves, Davids hopes to be remembered for his passion and dedication to protecting plants.
Graham Duncan
Duncan’s forty-five-and-a-half-year tenure at Kirstenbosch has been a ‘legacy of passion and precision’. He retired as a Specialist Horticulturist, but he started as a volunteer in 1979.
Since then, Duncan built the garden’s bulb collection into the largest in the world, which currently houses over 500 species. His contributions also extended beyond the garden.
‘Patience is key,’ said Duncan.
‘Some plants take over a decade to flower from seed, and the reward is worth the wait,’ Duncan added.
Reflecting on his career, he described it as ‘satisfying—immensely satisfying’.
Graham’s retirement plans include travelling to Morocco and Ethiopia and his continued love for Lachenalia bulbs, which inspired his ‘lifelong devotion to bulbs and plants’.
Trevor Solomons
Solomons joined Kirstenbosch in 1981 and has dedicated decades to ensuring the safety and well-being of visitors and staff.
A highlight of his career was taking on crime in the mountain areas surrounding Kirstenbosch, which has resulted in over 16 years of safety and peace in the region.
‘That accomplishment is one of my proudest,’ said Solomons.
Solomons’s advice to the younger colleagues of Kirstenbosch is to respect and listen to supervisors while taking pride in their work.
A retired Security Supervisor, Solomons plans to work with youth, by steering them away from crime and drugs and continue his service with the Rotary Club.
His vision for Kirstenbosch is a garden that remains a source of pride, safety and inspiration for many future generations.
‘To the retirees, we say thank you,’ said Werner Voigt, Kirstenbosch Garden Manager.
‘Your stories enrich the garden’s legacy and inspire us all to nurture not just plants but the connections that make our world bloom,’ Voigt added.
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Picture: Supplied
