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PHOTO: Paying tribute to botanist, Prof Donovan Kirkwood

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4 Sep 2025

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Friends, colleagues and loved ones of Prof Donovan Kirkwood gathered at the lily pond in the Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens to pay tribute to the life of the conservationist, botanist and friend. Kirkwood fell while on an expedition looking for orhcids in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve looking for orchids last Wednesday ("Kurator sterf op berg", Eikestadnuus, 28 August). It was an emotional scene in the gardens on Tuesday (2 September) as colleagues, former interns and friends shared stories of Kirkwood's dogged determination and passion for conservation, and willingness to give advice, help and mentor others. Many young people spoke of the seeds he planted in them to take up the baton and become conservationists themselves, claiming the best way to honour Kirkwood is to build on his legacy and work. Wonga Ncise, senior horticulturist at the garden, shared an anecdote about working with Kirkwood in the gardens. Photo: Yaël Malgas — Friends, colleagues and loved ones of Prof Donovan Kirkwood gathered at the lily pond in the Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens to pay tribute to the life of the conservationist, botanist and friend. Kirkwood fell while on an expedition looking for orhcids in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve looking for orchids last Wednesday (“Kurator sterf op berg”, Eikestadnuus, 28 August). It was an emotional scene in the gardens on Tuesday (2 September) as colleagues, former interns and friends shared stories of Kirkwood’s dogged determination and passion for conservation, and willingness to give advice, help and mentor others. Many young people spoke of the seeds he planted in them to take up the baton and become conservationists themselves, claiming the best way to honour Kirkwood is to build on his legacy and work. Wonga Ncise, senior horticulturist at the garden, shared an anecdote about working with Kirkwood in the gardens. Photo: Yaël Malgas

Friends, colleagues and loved ones of Prof Donovan Kirkwood gathered at the lily pond in the Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens to pay tribute to the life of the conservationist, botanist and friend. Kirkwood fell while on an expedition looking for orhcids in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve looking for orchids last Wednesday ("Kurator sterf op berg", Eikestadnuus, 28 August). It was an emotional scene in the gardens on Tuesday (2 September) as colleagues, former interns and friends shared stories of Kirkwood's dogged determination and passion for conservation, and willingness to give advice, help and mentor others. Many young people spoke of the seeds he planted in them to take up the baton and become conservationists themselves, claiming the best way to honour Kirkwood is to build on his legacy and work. Wonga Ncise, senior horticulturist at the garden, shared an anecdote about working with Kirkwood in the gardens. Photo: Yaël Malgas — Friends, colleagues and loved ones of Prof Donovan Kirkwood gathered at the lily pond in the Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens to pay tribute to the life of the conservationist, botanist and friend. Kirkwood fell while on an expedition looking for orchids in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve looking for orchids on Wednesday 27 August (“Kurator sterf op berg“). It was an emotional scene in the gardens on Tuesday 2 September as colleagues, former interns and friends shared stories of Kirkwood’s dogged determination and passion for conservation, and willingness to give advice, help and mentor others. Many young people spoke of the seeds he planted in them to take up the baton and become conservationists themselves, claiming the best way to honour Kirkwood is to build on his legacy and work. Wonga Ncise, senior horticulturist at the garden, shared an anecdote about working with Kirkwood in the gardens. Photo: Yaël Malgas

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Categorised:News

Tagged:Botanist, Botantical Gardens, In Memoriam, Jonkershoek, Prof Donovan Kirkwood, Tribute

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