His green fingers wins him prestigious award

Jan de Waal is a man who experiences his days in colour – no two days ever look the same at Garden World in Muldersdrift.

When Jan attended Bekker Landbouskool in Magaliesburg, he was attracted to horticulture and landscape planning and soon started planning his career in that field.

Money for further studies was lacking, but Jan kept searching for a bursary and eventually secured one. On completion of his studies in 1989, he was awarded the title of Best Horticultural Student of the Year in South Africa at the Tshwane University of Technology.

Jan was an active member of the Institute of Parks and Recreation Administration, and Chairperson of the Old Transvaal Region. He was also Chairperson for the IPRA Training Committee and Chairperson of the International Eisteddfod’s Horticultural Committee that was in charge of the Roodepoort Eisteddfod’s Stage and Village Décor.

Being an enthusiastic plant lover, especially of trees, Jan and his team endeavoured to plant as many trees as possible in the city during his time on the Roodepoort City Council, and received the Arbor City Award in 1991, for their efforts.

Jan took over Garden World in 1994 and as Managing Director of one of the largest and most popular garden centres in Gauteng has received numerous awards, including the Grand Raptor Award in 1999 for the best use of sponsorship monies, and a Platinum Award for his Garden Centre from Mogale City’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Knowing that success is not something that comes overnight, Jan decided quite early in life that mediocrity has never been worth anything to anyone. This attitude is reflected in the fact that he became Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation of the then Roodepoort Municipality at the age of 27.

Jan attributes his success to very hard work, leading by example, a passion for what he does, the right qualifications, drive, and healthy business principles.

“At Garden World,” he said, “we are always available to the public. Whenever advice is needed, we will always go the extra mile to please”.

He has been the driving force behind Garden World’s Spring Festival for the past 21 years, promoting the environment and featuring designer landscaped gardens, helping university students gain practical experience during this time, and hosting children’s environmental exhibits, floral displays, talks, demonstrations, exhibitions, media reader days, and South Africa’s very own Chelsea Flower Show exhibit.

Jan has been involved with students from Unisa and the Tshwane University of Technology for many years and, through AgriSETA, has helped to obtain bursaries and internships for students wanting to gain experience in a working nursery. Many of these students have appeared on national television with their landscape designs and a number of them are now employed in the green industry.

Jan’s involvement in horticulture in South Africa is not limited to Garden World. Sarel Myburgh of the radio station RSG asked him to become involved in the first Afrikaans gardening radio programme as he wanted an expert for the job. Over the last few years, Garden World’s General Manager, JJ van Rensburg has taken over this popular gardening programme with Derrich Gardener.

“If one considers that man’s known world started in a garden, with flowers, trees and a rich display of colours, there will always be a place for nurseries, garden centres and open-air recreation centres where people come to enjoy life and be in tune with nature,” said Jan.