Grahamstown is home to a number of beautiful sights, many of which are as entrenched nationally as they are locally, in the heart of South African heritage. The Grahamstown Botanical Gardens, with their ethereal beauty and overwhelming majesty are the perfect example, with over 150 years of history to call their own.
Grahamstown is home to a number of beautiful sights, many of which are as entrenched nationally as they are locally, in the heart of South African heritage. The Grahamstown Botanical Gardens, with their ethereal beauty and overwhelming majesty are the perfect example, with over 150 years of history to call their own.
Originally founded in 1853 by the Deed of Grant, this was the second botanical garden to be established in the Cape Colony, placed along the slopes of Gun Fire Hill. George Jarvis and William Shaw were the gentlemen responsible for compiling the prospectus that would later see the growth of this small wonder. One of the main objectives in the early days of the gardens was to plant and cultivate trees, shrubs and flowers procured from England, which could add to the stocks of the Frontier Wars in the mid 19th century.
While officially governed by the Grahamstown Botanical Committee, the original curator was a man by the name of Thomas Draper, who tended the gardens from 1855 to 1860. Another two curators followed before 1870, when Edwin Tidmarsh took the office. Tidmarsh gave his life to the job, serving for over forty years, and is vastly responsible for the health and vitality that the gardens exude today.
Within its first five years, the gardens were providing fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs to almost every home in the frontier. The gardens theatrical roots extend back to its first decade when the 10th regiment’s band would play for the public on Saturday’s. That tradition is still being adhered today, with many societies making use of the garden’s features to host their events and shows. Over the years the curators managed to develop a major plant and seed exchange with some of the forerunning botanic societies, such as London, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The ownership of the gardens passed from the Botanical Committee to the Grahamstown Municipality in 1922, and in 1964 a rather significant event took place. A proposal for a Provincial Nature Reserve was put forward, which would include the gardens, and things began to change. Firstly, the gardens were donated by the municipality to form a part of the 1820 Settler’s Monument which was being erected on Gun Fire Hill as a part of the Reserve proposal. Secondly, a limitation was placed on cultivation on the flora, restricting the diversity to provincially indigenous plants. Furthermore, and in line with the practices of many other South African Botanical Gardens, the official policy was changed to replace all foreign florae with indigenous species. In 1994 the original tract of land that constitutes the gardens was declared a National Monument.
The gardens may be home to a diverse range of flora, but bird they are equally as hospitable to birds. In just one hour, bird-watchers can produce a list of up to 30 different species, and the changing seasons provide more than enough in terms of variety. The upper slopes of Gun Fire Hill sport colourful proteas which attract a large number of fantastic birds.
The gardens are now managed by the Grounds and Garden staff of Rhodes University Estates Division, under the careful care of Mark Hazell. Hazell says that his job is most rewarding, and that the gardens are a great place to bring together people of Afrocentric and Eurocentric backgrounds, as the plants reflect the two differing cultures. Renovations have taken place steadily in recent years, and the Botanical Gardens have become even more of a public friendly attraction. This slice of heavenly nature stands tall amongst the proud heritage of Makana and its 200th year celebrations.
