A garden fit for a poet
James Matthews, 93, middle, front, is surrounded by the team from the South African National Biodiversity Institute and pupils and teachers from four schools, who all helped to transform his garden.
Struggle poet James Matthews has been presented with an indigenous garden for his 93rd birthday.
On Saturday May 21, children from environmental clubs at Athlone High, South Peninsula High, Windermere High and Silverlea Primary schools, joined the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) to plant a water-wise indigenous garden at Mr Matthews’s Bridgetown home.
The idea for this gift was born when Mr Matthews’s long-time friend, Fadli Wagiet, and the poet’s daughter, Terry Matthews-Grove, discussed what they could give him for his birthday on Tuesday May 24.
Mr Wagiet, who has been involved with environmental education for decades, said they had decided to spruce up Mr Matthews’s garden so that it would give him joy when he looked out on it.
“Terry then coordinated it, and I implemented it. I used my network to ask for assistance with this project, and Sanbi, as well as some schools came on board. The bench, concrete slabs, compost, and plants, among other things, were all donated. Trafalgar High School, which is Mr Matthews’s alma mater, donated all the slabs, for example. Most plants were sponsored by Sanbi.
“There is an African saying that one needs a village to raise a child, and I’d like to say that we need a community to plant a garden for James Matthews.”
The garden will be done in three phases, with phase one being completed now. A wall of remembrance, honouring those who fought against apartheid, will also be painted on the side of Mr Matthews’s house.
Mr Wagiet hopes the children involved in the project will go to their communities to take back the skills they’ve learnt and grow gardens there.
“We need to beautify our areas. We can’t wait for the government to do it for us,” he said.
On Saturday, Mr Matthews said he was already filled with tranquillity just looking at the progress made in the garden.
“My spirit is at peace. I know that I am safe in this space. Who would have thought that something as beautiful as this could happen to me? I am overwhelmed by the beauty. I am so grateful to the children who came out to help.I visited Kirstenbosch for the first time last year, and I was so happy to be there that I wrote a poem in dedication to Zane Matthews (no relation) from Sanbi whom I met there,” Mr Matthews said.
Zane Matthews, an outreach greening programme coordinator for Sanbi, also helped with the gardening project at Mr Matthews’s house.
“Today we are planting mostly succulent plants. All of the plants are indigenous, and there are multiple garden beds. Part of what we do is that we go out to communities and think about how we can conserve. Being part of this project is an opportunity to move into the community to teach about conservation. It is such an honour that Mr Matthews penned a poem about me, and I am so grateful for that,” he said.
