THE Kloof Project bid farewell to their chairman, Christopher Dalzell. The well-known horticulturist and landscaper has accepted a three-year contract at the Singapore Gardens.
The organisation hosted a farewell party for Dalzell as they applauded him for his contribution, not only to the organisation but to Durban.

Dalzell has been a qualified horticulturist for 35 years and has been to different countries. For over 20 years, he travelled to 76 countries where he helped raise funds, lectured, sourced various plants and built relationships with over 300 various botanical gardens around the world. He was appointed as the Curator for the Durban Botanical Gardens from 1996 to 2010.

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During this period, he started the Friends of the Botanical Gardens and the famous Music at the Lake concerts that raised money – over R40m – for the development and plant collections in the gardens.

Some of his other achievements also include:
– serving as president of the Natal Orchid Society on two occasions;
– starting the African Botanical Gardens Network that connected all the gardens in Africa as one organisation, which Durban was proud to host in 1992;
– in 2007, serving as the chairperson of the World Botanic Gardens Education Conference which was held at Durban Botanical Gardens.

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Dalzell was chairperson of the Kloof Project from 2015 where the organisation said he served with unrivalled energy and dynamism.

“He has made his mark with his vision of Kloof being known as ‘a village in a garden’ by actioning many garden improvements and networking with local businesses for sponsorship. His leadership and drive were critical in the growth of the volunteer group’s work. Seeing the growth of several hundred indigenous trees planted by the community in the CBD, all instigated by him in the annual Arbour Day drives, is one of his contributions to be most proud of,” they said.

The organisation said his disposition and willingness to assist in any possible way will be missed.

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