Homeless man cultivates community spirit
The Glenwood man says that although he knew nothing about plants before living on the streets, nothing has given him as much peace as seeing something he made blossom and bring a smile to people’s faces.
ARMED with a smile and hopes of cleaner, better neighbourhoods in Glenwood is André Van der Walt, a Johannesburg man who found himself homeless on the streets of Durban back in 2019. According to Van der Walt, his move to Durban was unplanned as it was only meant to be a holiday that turned into a nightmare as he was robbed of everything by someone he trusted.
“I thought I would stop in Durban on my way to Cape Town where I would see my daughters, but I never made it. Instead, I found myself here, homeless and trying to rebuild my life,” said Van der Walt. The 59-year-old father of two says he has found purpose in his life as he has made it his mission to brighten up the streets of Glenwood by planting succulents and indigenous plants along the open spaces by the roads.
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The community that helped give Van der Walt a second chance at life by hiring him to maintain their gardens have also come together to donate plants to him so he can continue his work of brightening up the streets. According to Van der Walt, he makes use of plants such as succulents as they are drought tolerant and wild garlic, which are native to South Africa and attract pollinators.
The avid gardener said he also uses mulches since they inhibit weed growth and retain moisture, to name a few benefits. He says that although he knew nothing about plants prior to living on the streets, nothing has given him as much peace as seeing something he made blossom and bring a smile to people’s faces. “My life lost its purpose when I found myself living on the streets, but now, I have something to look forward to, something that I am proud of. I am trying to make a lot of amends in my life, and this is only the beginning of rebuilding some of the things I have lost,” added Van der Walt.
“I wish to, one day, reunite with my daughters and make up for all the years I have lost with them, and I hope that this garden planting will not only repurpose my life but also make way for a better relationship with my daughters.”
Van der Walt, who now sleeps in a backroom of one of the residents’ homes, spends his days between Alan Paton Road and Princess Alice Avenue where he tends to the various garden patches around the suburb.
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The man with the green fingers said he starts his day volunteering at the Coffee Tree coffee shop in Glenwood. “I am happy to have been given a second chance, and it means so much to me.”
One of the community members who has extended a helping hand to Van der Walt is Caitlin Simmons, who has been instrumental in giving Van der Walt support and exposure by posting his work on social media groups and also encouraging people to donate plants to him so he can continue working. He even has plans to expand beyond the streets of Alan Paton and Princess Alice.
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