Walks and Talks 2025

Join co-author of ‘South African Indigenous Garden Plants’, Geoff Nichols, for an interactive talk outlining the background of the book, as well as speaking on all things indigenous gardening related.

Geoff, a well know horticulturist and natural historian, is author of several books including ‘Growing Rare Plants’, has been photographing plants for over 45 years, and is one of the principal contributors to the Flora Publications Trust KwaZulu-Natal field guides to trees and wildflowers.
He has become an expert on indigenous plant propagation and his knowledge and experience in the field of medicinal plants. He was instrumental in establishing South Africa’s first medicinal plant nursery, growing plants for use by traditional healers. His enthusiasm and dedication have earned him a commendable assortment of special awards.

Saturday 4 October, 09:30, ONS

R100/ticket limited to 40 tickets, book through Quicket from 1 September 2025.

Hear about Oasis Farm’s earliest origins as part of the historic Queekvallei, and first-hand about the rebuilding of the farm over the last five years. From the earliest beginnings during lockdown to embracing an organic way of growing fruit, vegetables and wine, to building dams and rearing animals, to overcoming drought, floods, locusts, fruit flies and other challenges, and many funny stories along the way.

Saturday 4 October, 10:30, Sunday 5 October, 10:30, Oasis Farm.

R100/ticket limited to 20 tickets per talk, book through Quicket from 1 September 2025.

Eleven years ago, Karin Sternberg thought bees lived in hives and made honey. That was the whole story, as far as she knew. Then one day, lying on the ground, she watched wild honeybees vanish into a rock crevice, an encounter that changed her life. She has never seen bees, or the world, the same way since.

This talk is about the wild honeybees and solitary bees of Wolwekraal Nature Reserve – about watching bees, and seeing what they build when we don’t interfere. From brood cells sealed in petals to resin-lined burrows and the diverse nesting sites of wild honeybees in cavities dug by aardvarks. It’s a world few people have ever seen. It’s also about how we can support and attract bees to our own gardens, and the importance of avoiding pesticides, which pose a serious threat to pollinators.

Saturday 4 October 11:00, Kraal Garden.

R100/ticket limited to 40 tickets, book through Quicket from 1 September 2025.

What if wellness could be grown, right where you live? In this practical and inspiring talk, Petrus Jansen from Grow Folk shares how true wellness starts with the soil beneath our feet and stretches all the way to the soul. Discover how high-density nutrition gardens can transform even the smallest spaces into powerful sources of nourishment and healing, with easy-to-grow plants that deliver essential vitamins, minerals, and natural medicines.

Perfect for anyone curious about holistic health, self-sufficiency, and living more consciously, this talk offers grounded tools and fresh inspiration to start growing a different kind of wealth: one rooted in nourishment, connection, and empowerment. After the session, you’ll be able to browse a curated selection of Grow Folk seed packs, heirloom varieties, and natural wellness products to help you begin (or deepen) your own journey of growing wellness as a way of life.

Saturday 4 October 12:00, ONS

R100/ticket limited to 40 tickets, book through Quicket from 1 September 2025.

There are over 1 000 bee species in South Africa. Flowering plants and their pollinators coevolved for flowers to have a better chance of being pollinated and pollinators to have a unique food source. Bees are particularly important pollinators making their conservation vital for all biodiversity. Connal has worked on the taxonomy of South African bees for over 50 years and although now retired, tirelessly encourages people to get to know bees and enjoy observing them in their gardens.

This interactive talk is designed to introduce people from all walks of life to use the literature to identify bees, it will be informal and proceed as the participants are comfortable.

Saturday 4 October 13:00, Sunday 5 October 10:00, Kraal Garden.

R100/ticket limited to 10 tickets per talk, book through Quicket from 1 September 2025.

Join Courtney Hundermark as he explores South Africa’s extensive Karoo region, well known as a hotspot for biodiversity and endemism. To the untrained eye, this arid semi-desert may seem stark and disinteresting – however, when one looks closer, incredible secrets reveal themselves, and the veld comes alive. In between the stones and tiny succulents, Karoo reptiles have carved out an astonishing niche for themselves in this land of extremes. This highly diverse group of animals, easily overlooked in such a vast landscape, exhibit phenomenal levels of diversity in both form and function. This presentation aims to inform the audience about some of the adaptations and ecological roles of Karoo reptiles, giving new insight into their secretive lives.

Signed copies of Courtney’s book will be on sale after his talk at R200 a copy.

Saturday 4 October 13:30, Sunday 5 October 09:30, ONS.

R100/ticket limited to 40 tickets per talk, book through Quicket from 1 September 2025.

For the last ten years, Liana Jansen has become acquainted with the Fynbos, Renosterveld, and Succulent Karoo medicinal species that grow on their farm in Montagu and the surrounding area. She is a professional Landscape Architect with 25 years of experience in conserving cultural landscapes. This year’s talk will continue last year’s presentation, where she explored the cultural and physiological “signs” that indicate when a plant may exhibit medicinal properties. Combining a graphic presentation and garden walk, Liana will share the most significant Klein Karoo and Karoo medicinal species she has come to know in formulating skincare and perfumes for Fijn Botanicals, discussing their traditional uses and some scientific research of their medicinal applications.

Fijn Botanicals products will be available for sale after Liana’s talk.

Saturday 4 October 15:00, Sunday 5 October 11:30, ONS.

R100/ticket limited to 20 tickets per talk, book through Quicket from 1 September 2025.

A walk on the Gordon Koppie with local artist and nature enthusiast, Collette Hurt. Experience the koppie’s fauna and flora, geology, and views of Prince Albert and surrounds.

Friday 3 October, 16:00, Saturday 4 October, 16:00 – meeting point at the Gordon Koppie Trail Start, corner of Bergsig Street and Klip Street.

R100/ticket limited to 10 tickets per walk, book through Quicket from 1 September 2025.

Learn about the geology, botany, natural and cultural history of the southern Karoo desert with Professor Sue Dean’s biodiversity walk in the spectacular Wolwekraal Nature Reserve.

Saturday 4 October 07:00, Sunday 5 October 07:00 – meeting point Prince Albert Police Station.

R200/ticket limited to 15 tickets per walk, book through Quicket from 1 September 2025.

Starting at the base of Swartberg, Professor Sue Dean will guide you through the spectacular folded quartzites and natural hanging gardens. Fragrant Pelargoniums, mint, and honeybells grow close to the water’s edge where Cape willows emerge among the boulders, there is change at every turn.

Saturday 4 October 14:30, Sunday 5 October 14:30 – meeting point Fransie Pienaar Museum.

R200/ticket limited to 20 tickets per walk, book through Quicket from 1 September 2025.