http://www.capegreenforum.co.za/

Cape Green Forum, Somersetwes (2026)

22/10/2026

This weeks Throwback Thursday ..... Cape Green Trade Day, August 2009 at the rather broken down horse barn in Joostenberg Vlakte. I remember loads of flies!!😃

20/10/2026

Join us in wishng Di a very Happy Birthday 🌸

Di, your radiant energy, enthusiasm, and passion light up every room you walk into. You continually inspire those around you with your dedication, positivity, and unwavering commitment to our industry. Your hard work and support do not go unnoticed, and we cannot thank you enough for everything you do.

We wish you a year filled with happiness and good health 🌷💚

15/10/2026

Throwback Thursday - March 2009, a Cape Green Forum Golf Day at The Riverclub in Observatory, which is now occupied by Amazon.

15/10/2026

TAKING A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE - on Thursdays we'll be sharing special moments from past Cape Green Forum events, the people we've met and connections made.
Join us in celebrating our industry, while revisiting some wonderful moments.

05/10/2026

And the last article from the 'Rooted in Africa' themed Cape Green Times Newsletter....

JAMES GREY: PUT DOWN ROOTS IN THE INDUSTRY AT THE TENDER AGE OF 16
James started working at Plants on 6" as a weekend casual at the tender age of sixteen and we are so pleased that he is still part of our team at the age of 26!
From day one James was very keen to learn more about plants and gardening to add to his person experience growing flowers and veggies for the family at home. So much so, that he didn't question Jennie when she encouraged him to taste a raw borage leaf, an experience that he learned a lot from!
Once James matriculated in 2017, he chose to study via correspondence with Intec College and continued working part-time, then full-time throughout his studies. After a few glitches and delays caused by a certain virus, he obtained his certificate in horticulture and gardening in 2024.
Regardless of any academic achievement, James has learnt so much on the job to the extent that his plant knowledge is comparable to many leading horticulturists, and because he has a personal interest in entomology, he is my go-to for pest id and management.
His role is now that of Assistant Manager and his responsibilities have grown with him. James has truly grown roots in our business and in the industry, dealing with suppliers, visiting growers, attending workshops and trade days wherever possible.
From an introverted youngster, he has grown into a confident self-assured man who our customers love and often request by name. On a happy personal note, James recently became engaged to his now fiancé Nicole, and they are happily planning a wedding for 2029!
We are very proud of James on all levels and look forward to many years of having him part of our business and we know that he will continue to grow in the green industry.
Plants on 6th Nursery

02/10/2026

The next article from the 'Rooted in Africa' themed Cape Green Times Newsletter...

A GROWING LEGACY ROOTED IN FAMILY, SOIL AND SOUTH AFRICAN SPIRIT.
Cape Garden is one of the Western Cape’s most recognisable horticultural brands, but its story begins far from the bustle of its retail branches. It begins in Vredendal, in a modest home surrounded by net houses, cuttings, and a family learning to grow both plants and a future.
At the centre of this story is Nona, whose love for business came from her father, and whose love for plants came from her mother. When the family arrived in Vredendal, there was no capital to buy stock. What she did have was determination, and a pair of hands that knew how to propagate. She began making cuttings, selling what she could, and slowly building a foundation that would support her family for generations.
Today, that same Vredendal farm produces close to 90% of the plants sold across Cape Garden’s retail floors. It is a remarkable achievement, not only in scale but in continuity: the farm still stands beside the family home, and it is run by her eldest son, Alan, whose life became intertwined with the nursery almost by accident.
Cape Garden did not grow through a conventional succession plan. It grew through family members returning home at moments of uncertainty and discovering purpose in the soil.
Alan joined the nursery after completing military service. His mother asked him to help, and he agreed, a simple decision that became a lifelong calling. His passion for growing is quiet but profound: each year, he aims to grow plants better, bigger, and more beautiful than the year before. Under his care, the farm has expanded steadily, adding net houses, staff, and logistical capacity.
Peter, now the CEO of Cape Garden, followed a similar path, finding his place in the growing operation and later in retail leadership. He remembers the early days not as a polished enterprise, but as childhood on a farm where the business evolved around them.
Another key figure in the Cape Garden story is Michael, whose contribution has been instrumental in shaping the physical identity of the business. While others focused on growing and retail, Michael became the quiet force behind the construction and development of every Cape Garden branch.
Cape Garden Centre’s evolution into the digital space was led by Lise, the sister, who joined the business after the Covid period. With a clear understanding of changing customer needs, she established and now runs the Cape Garden online store, a platform that has pioneered online plant shopping in Cape Town.
“We were just one big happy family,” Nona said. “Loving what we do and putting our souls and our hearts into it.”
That warmth still defines the organisation today.
Cape Garden’s success is often attributed to its staff, and visitors frequently comment on the team’s friendliness, knowledge, and consistency. Peter believes this is no coincidence. Instead, it is the result of creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and encouraged to take pride in their work.
New staff members learn from those who came before them, absorbing the culture of care and commitment that has become Cape Garden’s hallmark. This self reinforcing environment is one of the company’s greatest strengths, allowing it to maintain quality across multiple branches while preserving the family run feel that customers recognise.
Nona’s influence remains present in every part of the organisation. Her sons continue the work she began, and so do her grandchildren Nicola, Alex and Alan Jr.
Nicola runs the Cape Garden George Branch, Alex has joined the team at the Vredendal nursery and Alan has joined the business in the irrigation section, each of them carrying the legacy into a new generation.
Cape Garden Centre is no longer the small nursery it once was, but its heart has not changed. It remains a family business built on resilience, love for plants, and a deep connection to South African soil.
Their story is one of growth, but not only in the horticultural sense. It is a story of a family finding purpose, of a founder whose dream became a legacy, and of a business that continues to expand while staying grounded in the values that shaped it.
In an industry where quality, consistency, and authenticity matter, Cape Garden Centre stands as a reminder that the strongest enterprises are often those grown slowly, intentionally, and with heart.
Rooted in Africa.
Rooted in family.
Rooted in growth.
Cape Garden

01/10/2026

Here's the 4th article from the 'Rooted in Africa' themed Cape Green Times Newsletter...
CELEBRATING SUPER PLANTS TOKAI AND THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP IT GROWING.
Super Plants Garden Centre Tokai opened its doors on 16 September 1999, and from that very first day, it has been a place built on passion, curiosity, and a genuine love for gardening. As a family owned business, they have always taken pride in offering quality plants and products, but more importantly, in creating a space where people feel inspired, welcomed, and connected to nature.
Over the years, Super Plants has grown into something truly special. What started as a garden centre for everyday gardeners and landscapers has evolved into a destination for anyone, especially those looking for something a little different - unusual plants, rare finds, and displays that spark joy.
This year’s Cape Green Forum theme, Rooted in Africa, feels especially meaningful. So much of what they do, from championing indigenous plants to promoting water wise gardening, is deeply connected to the land we call home.
One of the things they are most proud of is their incredibly low staff turnover. Their team is close knit, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping customers. Many of their staff have been there for years, some for decades, and that continuity has shaped the identity of Super Plants.
Two of those long standing team members, Namhla and Nicola, represent the heart of the garden centre. Their stories reflect exactly what it means to be Rooted in Africa.
Namhla has been part of the Super Plants Tokai family for 12 years. Originally from East London, she found a sense of belonging in Cape Town, and it is starting a family here that has kept her rooted here ever since.
Her days are spent watching the plants grow and change, something, she says, still surprises her every single day. Indoor plants can be sensitive, but over the years she has learned to “speak the language of the plants,” monitoring them closely and understanding what each species likes or dislikes.
One of her favourite moments is watering the plants after a dry period and seeing how happy they become. She has formed a special connection with the coffee plant (Coffea arabica); its new shoots remind her of praying hands slowly opening as the plant matures.
When asked what Rooted in Africa means to her, she says it’s about plants becoming part of the family, especially the indoor ones she cares for daily. Her favourite locally grown plant to work with is the Mother in law’s Tongue (Sansevieria), a hardy, iconic African species.

Nicola has been with Super Plants Tokai for an incredible 19 years. She says the beauty she is surrounded with every day is what has kept her rooted here for so long.
Having seen thousands of customers over the years, she believes Super Plants stands out because of its friendly, helpful staff and affordable prices. “We are all here to make sure they walk out happy,” she says, a sentiment that perfectly captures the spirit of the centre.
Nicola has watched the garden centre grow into a place that attracts customers from all over Cape Town, always offering something different from the rest. For her, Rooted in Africa means loving what you do, a value passed down from her parents and grandparents. They inspired her to always make her job fun.
From her front line view, the future of horticulture is bright. “More and more people are choosing gardening as a hobby,” she says, “and I am excited for what the future holds.”
At the end of the day, their hope is simple, that customers leave Super Plants with a smile. Whether they buy a plant, find inspiration, or simply enjoy walking through the aisles, they want their experience to feel uplifting.
Like the plants they care for, Super Plants will continue to grow. They are committed to learning, adapting, and staying ahead of trends, while also honouring the wisdom of those who came before them. Change is inevitable, but with strong roots and a passionate team, they will keep reaching outward and upward.
They are, and always will be, Rooted in Africa.
Super Plants Family Garden Centre

30/09/2026

The 3rd article in the 'Rooted in Africa' themed Cape Green Times Newsletter...

29 YEARS, ONE REMARKABLE JOURNEY - DOC'S STORY
Twenty-nine years ago, a 23-year-old security guard arrived at Ferndale Nurseries to do his job. He wasn't employed by Ferndale, he knew virtually nothing about plants, and becoming one of the nursery's most experienced and successful salespeople certainly wasn't part of the plan.
His name was Doctor Mhlongo.
At the time, Ferndale used an outsourced security company, and Doc was one of the guards stationed at the nursery. But it wasn't long before Errol began noticing him, Doc was always willing to help, interested in what was happening around him and keen to lend a hand wherever he could.
Errol saw something in the young man and eventually asked him a question that would completely change the direction of his life: Would he like to come and work for Ferndale selling plants?
It was an unlikely career move. Doc had been a security guard and now he was expected to advise customers and sell something he admittedly knew absolutely nothing about.
He remembers being excited, but nervous. It was a huge change, and at the time, he couldn't quite believe that he had been given the opportunity. His new role would involve selling plants, although there was the small matter of first learning something about them!
So that is exactly what he did.
Doc listened. He watched. He asked questions. He learnt from Errol and from the experienced salespeople around him, often listening carefully as they spoke to customers so that the next time, he could do it himself. Little by little, the nervous new salesman began finding his feet.
And then he began to flourish.
What started as an opportunity to sell plants became a career spanning almost three decades.
Today, at a young age of 52, he is consistently Ferndale's top salesperson, but his role has grown into far more than sales. Assistant Manager, Pot Buyer and Large Specimen Plant Buyer in addition he assists with HR translations and counselling. He has become one of the people Ferndale turns to when new sales staff need to be trained and guided.
There is something wonderfully full circle about that last part.
The man who once stood listening to experienced salespeople because he didn't know enough about plants to confidently advise a customer, is now the person teaching others how to do exactly that. Doc takes enormous pride in seeing new staff members develop and succeed because he understands better than most that becoming the best at one’s job doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, knowledge, patience and a lot of hard work.
Perhaps the greatest measure of Doc's success, however, isn't found in a job title.
It can be seen every day in his relationships with his customers.
After 29 years, countless customers know Doc, trust him and specifically look for him when they come to Ferndale. Those relationships have been built by one conversation, one plant and one garden at a time. His knowledge matters, of course, but so does the way he treats people. It is something that has earned him tremendous respect and affection from customers and colleagues alike.
Twenty-nine years later, that chance encounter has become one of Ferndale's great long-service stories. It is a story of opportunity, loyalty and what can happen when natural ability is matched with years of hard work. Doc has grown enormously during his time at Ferndale, taking on responsibilities and achieving things that his 23-year-old self never imagined possible.
From security guard to top salesperson. From knowing almost nothing about plants to buying them, selling them, teaching others about them and helping manage the nursery in which his career began.
Quite a journey for someone who was originally only meant to be guarding the gate.
And after 29 years, Ferndale is incredibly fortunate that he walked through it. Ferndale Nurseries

29/09/2026

The 2nd article in the "Rooted in Africa" themed Cape Green Times Newsletter....
THE INCREDIBLE 24-YEAR EVOLUTION OF LENNOX AND EARTHWORX
Back in 2002, when Earthworx first opened & was merely a garden maintenance company with big dreams, a dedicated young worker named Lennox joined our team. Armed with a spade, a tireless work ethic, and a natural passion for green spaces, Lennox spent his early days on the ground. He dug trenches, mowed lawns, and planted the literal foundations of our company. Over the next 24 years, Earthworx underwent an incredible evolution. We expanded from a hands-on maintenance crew into a full-scale landscaping powerhouse, eventually branching out to open our very own Garden Centre. Through every single milestone, pivot, and season of growth, Lennox was right there with us. He didn't just witness our evolution—he helped drive it. As our services grew, Lennox grew too, mastering new skills, embracing retail dynamics, and anchoring our team with his deep operational knowledge.Today, we are thrilled to celebrate Lennox in his well-deserved role as our Landscaping Manager. Running the entire Landscaping Division, the man who once took direction on the field now directs our largest projects, oversees operations, and inspires our crews. Lennox is the living heart of Earthworx. His 24-year journey proves that when you plant deep roots of loyalty and dedication, there is no limit to how high you can grow. Thank you, Lennox, for cultivating success with us for nearly a quarter of a century!
Earthworx Garden World

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