Lemon Tree gardener gets recognised for his exceptional work

Lemon Tree Shopping Centre’s gardens came to the attention of many a bypasser and as a result, the Alberton Record took some time and chatted to Longlife Bangwa, the gardener.

Bangwa is a 74-year-old gardener at the centre and has been working as a gardener for more than 15 years and he is still going strong.

Bangwa’s love and passion for gardening were recognised by his former manager at Sasol Garage in Alberton in 2009.

Bangwa worked as a cleaner at Sasol Garage but he also got himself involved in his manager’s garden.

According to Bangwa, after some time, his manager told him to stop working as a cleaner and got him a job at Lemon Tree to tend to the gardens.

This was a happy moment for him as he loves and lives gardening.

“What made me start working in gardens was the passion that I have for it and also because of struggling financially,” said Bangwa.

One of the Lemon Tree shopping centre’s regular shoppers mentioned that she always sees Bangwa busy in the garden and always smiling.

“He hardly misses a day at work. He is there from seven in the morning until seven in the evening. His garden is his pride. When you talk to him there is always a smile on his face. He never complains,” said Leone Frey, a local shopper at Lemon Tree Shopping Center.

Bangwa passed his heartfelt gratitude to his managers who are making sure that he is well taken care of.
He is also the father of two “handsome boys”.

Bangwa loves going to church in his spare time and he mentioned that there is nothing that keeps him busy except for his job.

One of Longlife’s wishes is to buy a car one day.