On October 11, seven avid gardeners welcomed visitors to their home paradises as part of the fifth annual Boksburg Open Gardens 2026 – A Garden Affair.

Their aim? To inspire budding gardening enthusiasts while using their passion projects to raise funds for the Suid-Afrikaanse Vroue Federasie’s (SAVF) Kowa Pienaar Old Age Home in Elspark.

Tallying the final numbers and happily signing a cheque, Marisa McDonald, Yolanda Swanepoel, Marinda Hawthorn, Surieta Esterhuizen and Carin Mathee donated R60 000 to the facility.

“As gardeners, we tend to the spaces that bring us joy. Planting with faith, nurturing with patience and celebrating blooms with gratitude,” said Marinda.

“Through the open gardens tour, we approached the event with the same passion, working towards bringing gentle, loving care into the lives of others.

“The target was to raise enough money for the home to purchase much-needed wheelchairs; however, the community’s overwhelming support has enabled us to do so much more in the lives of the elderly residents.”

Overcome by emotion, Marinda continued by saying that this year’s event surpassed every expectation.

“We sow seeds, knowing that not every single one will bloom. Through faith we hoped to draw the Boksburg community into enjoying the event,” she said.

“Every one of the seven participating gardens was filled with ticket holders meandering across the stepping stones, taking the time to smell the roses, generously giving towards our cause.

“Our community bloomed on a sunny Sunday afternoon.”

Touched not only by the donation but also by the months of preparation work, the home’s manager, Emmie Herman, said that, having had the privilege of viewing the participating gardens, it was evident that the gardeners were people who give freely of themselves to make the world more beautiful.

“We are humbled by the donation as well as the investment in the comfort and care of our residents,” echoed chairperson of the board, Elna Lukan.

“As you use your green thumbs to grow magnificent gardens, so too will the donation be used to bring comfort to those in our care.”

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