Green thumbed resident wins verge comp
The 69-year-old’s green thumb not only made her the perfect candidate but also won her the top spot of overall winner in the city.
NURTURING lush green plants and bright blooms comes naturally to Jeanne Buitendag, who was announced the winner of the eThekwini Municipality verge competition recently.
The 69-year-old’s green thumb not only made her the perfect candidate but also won her the top spot of overall winner in the city. Her prize-worthy verge on Lighthouse Road on the Bluff boasts beautiful indigenous plants and flowers to which she gives meticulous attention.
Asked what this recognition meant to her, she said, “I am so excited, I’m praising the Lord. I’ve always loved gardening. My daughter learnt about the competition and shared it with me and I entered. There’s just something that happens to me when I get in the garden. I see the lizards, birds and butterflies and it just brings me joy. I spend most of my days tending to my plants, gardening is a great passion of mine, I can’t explain it. I’ve had it since I was a young girl. I can’t wait to put my new gardening tools to good use,” said Jean who has lived on the Bluff for eight years.
One of the verge competition organisers, Thami Mbhele from Botanic Gardens said, “Upon visiting Jean’s house, it is evident that she is a plant’s person and a nature lover. I’d love for other residents to learn from her. We acknowledge Jean’s passion and her efforts.
“Through this competition, we aim to promote the love of verges to the public. In them taking the initiative to care for the verges, we, in turn, compensate them with prizes for the efforts towards maintaining these public spaces. There are different categories for example; schools, residents and corporates. This municipal initiative run by the parks department throughout the city,” he said.
District seven parks department’s horticulturist for the Bluff, Setsoana Lekau said, “I encourage residents to take care of their verges because it’s very important to have a verge that is clean and full of indigenous flowers. It makes the area beautiful and neat,” said Setsoana who acknowledged ward 66 councillors, Zoe Solomon’s support and contribution to the initiative.
