“ My grandfather employed a gardener in around 1920 called Moses Tladi,” she recalls.“ Not only was Tladi a great gardener but my grandfather also realised he had an amazing art talent – something he supported by buying him art supplies and encouraging him to paint.”
With Herbert Read’ s encouragement and the influential support of his neighbour, Howard Pim – who would later become mayor of Johannesburg – Moses Tladi became the first Black artist to hold a formal exhibition at the South African National Gallery in 1939.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability in infrastructure is often seen through the lens of green building materials and energy-efficient designs. But sometimes, it is also about respecting what came before – allowing the trees, the land and the history to shape the future. The PPS campus, completed in 1992, is a testament to this philosophy. While it may not be the original family estate, the vision of the past lives on in the shade of the century-old oaks.
Much like these oaks that still stand tall, PPS itself has deep roots and a legacy of strength. The organisation proudly celebrated its“ Oak Anniversary” – 80 years of shared success – in 2021, marking its enduring commitment to graduate professionals.
PPS embraces sustainability, ensuring that its campus respects the environment while serving the needs of today’ s professionals. Solar panels supply a notable portion of its electricity needs, boreholes provide some of its water supply and greenery is not just found outside – plants have been incorporated indoors, extending nature into workspaces and improving air quality for employees. Even the massive billboard that stands at the edge of the campus is repurposed: the large plastic sheets are transformed into school bags for underprivileged learners, turning what would have been waste into something meaningful.
A LEGACY THAT LIVES ON
The Read family’ s belief in recognising and nurturing potential continues to resonate in the work PPS does today. Through the PPS Foundation, the organisation supports students from under-resourced communities across South Africa, helping to grow the next generation of graduate professionals who can thrive and make a lasting impact.
Just as Herbert Read encouraged a young gardener’ s talent and opened doors to opportunity, PPS is committed to empowering individuals to build success that is shared – success that uplifts communities and contributes to a more equitable future. That legacy of investing in human potential endures not only in the deep roots of the garden but in the many lives transformed through education.
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Biddy Miller looking up at some of the oak trees in the PPS garden.