I've always believed that a Tourist Guide, over time, becomes part of a community in which tours are conducted.
Through the years in my dealing with Soweto, I've helped on a number of occasions and in various areas.
This latest project was at the Hector Pieterson Museum.Â
My focus was the long, narrow 'flower bed' outside the museum, which originally contained indigenous veld grass and marks a historical feature.
Foot traffic and environmental factors degraded the grass over time, leaving the bed bare.
I took an initiative during the past year, to restore the 'flower bed'.
I grew 200 Anthericum saundersiae plants in pots - giving them time to ‘take’ and ensuring they were well-established before transplanting.
I chose this specie, as it's a perennial, evergreen, grass-like plant that is native to South Africa. It is very attractive, has small, white flowers that grow on tall stalks that arch or ‘weep’ towards the outside of the plant.
It is fast-growing and clump-forming, requiring little maintenance. In addition, it is frost and drought hardy, can grow in sun or shade and is also wildlife friendly. It also provides excellent structure, contrast and texture to landscapes.
Yesterday (Wednesday 5th March 2025), I, with Johan van Biljon, and our Institute Of Professional Tourist Guides Of Southern Africa (IPTGSA) branding, were joined by Maxwell Thwala and another helper from the museum, to plant up the new arrivals.
Thanks to the extra hands, the planting took far less time than expected, and the site’s original line of 'grass' was restored — albeit with immature plants!
These plants thrive on neglect, but with appropriate care, the Anthericum's should establish well and add to the museum’s historical landscape.
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