Despite fervent efforts, the Rotary Anns of Benoni van Ryn have announced that the Beautiful Gardens of Benoni tour 2026 has been cancelled.

Since the beginning of June, the organising committee have been searching for seven magnificent gardens to form part of its 24th annual tour.

Diarised for January 31 and February 1, Sally Matthee, Rhoda Toker and Maria Pinho were able to secure participation from some homeowners but were unable to fulfil their quota.

“It is devastating that we will not be able to host this highly anticipated tour next year,” said Toker.

“Following the two-year hiatus in 2021 and 2022, due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, it has become more difficult to garner participation in one of our club’s key fundraising initiatives. It was not easy to reach this decision, but we needed to be realistic.”

Toker said that the Anns are not throwing in the towel completely.

“We are giving ourselves some time to regroup after which we will get to work to possibly source and secure gardens for 2027,” she said.

The Beautiful Gardens of Benoni tour is not a competition but a unique opportunity to showcase some of the city’s unique gardens.

To create a complete tour, seven gardens are needed, one of which would be selected to host the Anns hugely popular tea garden.

Money raised throughout the two-day event funds the organisations’ ongoing community outreach projects.

For more information about how you can get involved, contact Sally Matthee on 082 602 4272 or Rhoda Toker on 082 452 7795.

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