Grassroots September 2016, Vol. 16, No. 3 | Page 38

Congress
The final stop was at Sizamele Indigenous Nursery ( also situated in Smutsville ) established in 1995 by Willy Pedro . Willy gained practical plant skills and knowledge when he joined the Department of Forestry . However , when the Department transformed the southern Cape plantations and forests into a private enterprise many workers , including Willy , were retrenched . Willy found a love and passion for indigenous trees and dedicated his life to creating an absolute indigenous nursery masterpiece . He kicked it off by planting one tree , which is now his pride and joy and standing strong and tall in the centre of his nursery . The nursery is embedded in the southern afro-temperate forest . Walking through the nursery , you can hear the sounds of the forest and feel the crisp and cold moist air surrounding you . The knowledge that Willy gained from his previous workplace played only a small part in the success of his nursery . It was
rather the knowledge that he gained from the surrounding forest that was the key to the success . Willy studies the growth habits of indigenous trees and mimics the forest processes . All of his trees are grown from seed . In my amazing because it requires mass amounts of care and maintenance to grow plants from seed . The nursery is a majestic sight which radiates life , and is managed using recycled sewerage water and homemade compost . Willy also grows fresh vegetables and popular garden ornamentals . This nursery is his income and assisted him in providing for his family . Willy is the keystone of the nursery and shows that patience and hard work can create a natural gem . The Community Projects and Restoration Tour left all who attended inspired and happy hearted . These projects support sustainable living and provide solutions to many problems .
Sizamele Indigenous Nursery , situated in Smutsville . Credits : Laetitia Piers
Grassroots September 2016 Vol . 16 No . 3

38