Page 8 - Landscape-Issue151

FEATURE

REFLECTIONS ON THE 2025

SAGIC CONVENTION

By Dr Jonathan Foley, SALI National Judge

South African Landscapers Institute (SALI) delegates from around the country
converged at the Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensburg in June for the
annual SAGIC Convention. The convention theme was “Fire and Ice”.

F ollowing the opening by SAGIC ceremonies Paul Vonk (SAGIC) and
celebrity gardener Tanya Visser (SANA)
Kay
Montgomery,
chairperson
delegates enjoyed an inspirational
presentation on UK horticultural took centre stage, with Paul giving
delegates information on the real stories
gardening. behind the famous opera, baroque and
Marcus Chilton-Jones, curator of the contemporary pieces to be performed by
newest Royal Horticultural Garden at soprano soloist Brittany Smith and pianist
Bridgewater, shared the inspiring story performer Rocco de Villiers. He delivered
behind the creation of this breathtaking a spectacular rendition of ‘Chariots of Fire’,
63-hectare landscape developed on a dedicated to all the Comrades runners in
once-derelict Victorian estate in Greater the audience – a fitting finale!
Manchester, UK. His presentation took us
behind the scenes of this extraordinary Judge’s Journey
landscaping project – from building a SALI National Judge Dr.Jonathan Foley
team of expert gardeners, to integrating presented a brief show reel depicting his
sustainability, biodiversity and community. ‘Judge’s Journey’ dedicated to all award
RHS Bridgewater now welcomes over entrants. Below are his comments.
500,000 visitors a year. Chilton-Jones “It was a pleasure to review and
curates 3,500 plant taxa and adopts a adjudicate the top landscapes in the
unique blend of aesthetic, cultural heritage country! A high standard of work was
and ecological approaches to managing observed, from lush riverside residential
designs and collections. properties in the Eastern Cape to
Developed over a four-year period, RHS mountain-hugging master pieces in
Bridgewater comprises a suite of individual Muizenberg, with its impressive array of
but linked garden spaces, including themed outdoor rooms. In Pretoria and
an innovative Chinese fusion garden Joburg, stunning residential gardens
combining the best of British native plants displayed a vast array of plant material,
with authentic oriental structures and Dr Jonathan Foley, SALI National Judge outdoor sculptures and ceramics and in
ornamental planting. Pushing horticultural KZN, estates displayed the best of coastal
boundaries, the opening of the Yangzhou gardening.
Scholar’s Garden is planned for 2026. leaders. He explained how the centrality School entries were a notable highlight
Other projects include an arboretum and of our individual identity governs our – a pre-school in Durban North and a
a working wood of 20 acres. Community perception of reality. In his own words, Montessori School at Lourensford Estate.
outreach has engaged some 36 000 local “appreciating the composition of my The former showed great innovation
school children over a four-year period. own identity through self-reflection can in early childhood development,
Volunteers are welcome but the waiting provide a sense of how others perceive the focussing on outdoor play in a safe urban
list currently stands at 250! world.” environment, while the latter led the way
An information session hosted by Dr Dr Leslie Hoy from Rand Water, one of with an organic landscape maintenance
Di Goodwin, who heads up the training the major sponsors of the conference, programme, also supplying herbs and
portfolio of SAGIC, briefed delegates then led delegates through a snap, on- vegetables grown by the pupils to the
on the latest available short courses line survey on their perceptions of water estate’s restaurant.
that have recently been accredited by use on project sites. Members were Discussions I had with both principals
AGRISETA. Following this talk, delegates reminded of the significant role of the and their respective landscapers showed
moved to the pecan forest, where the green industry in conserving this precious the importance of more outdoor play,
‘build-a-burger’ tables were waiting. Plant resource. establishing tangible connections with
prizes, sponsored by The Aloe Farm, were Guests then engaged with the serious nature and above all, creating a culture
awarded. business of the SALI AGM, with the of growing. This starts with the very
Veteran comedian and performer John chairperson’s report from Laurel Cadle- little ones, and continues right up until
Vlismas, now reinvented as a motivational Barber and individual portfolio reports Grade 12. It is here that the seeds of future
speaker and MBA researcher, regaled from Marcus Govender (training), horticulturists and landscape designers
delegates with his clever humour and Dominique Lamour (marketing and are planted!”
social commentary, wrapping valuable industry liaison) and Mikki Roxmouth The June issue of Landscape SA,
life lessons in his inimitable wit as he (finance). No. 150, featured a four-page article on
presented his ‘player-zero’ gameplay for For the gala dinner, master of the trophy and gold award winners. n

6 Landscape SA • Issue 151 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za