The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department, together with seniors from Mitchells Plain, celebrated the flourishing success of the Westridge Rose Garden at their first rose show on Monday 11 November.
The event highlighted the remarkable contributions of the community, which participated in the “mini-pruning workshop” earlier this year, where they gained hands-on skills to care for the roses now blooming in vibrant displays throughout the garden.
The rose show gathered local residents and City officials to celebrate the results of the September workshop, which taught participants key techniques for rose care, from summer pruning to proper watering and fertilising.
Gardening skills
These practical skills shared by the City’s horticultural team have directly contributed to the garden’s breathtaking blooms, which reflect the dedication of both the seniors and the garden staff.
Each person attending the workshop also took a rose cutting home, with a view perhaps to sparking a passion for gardening in their own spaces, if the passion had not already taken hold.
“This garden is a cherished space for Westridge residents,” said Ward 81 councillor Ashley Potts, “and seeing it thrive is a testament to the hard work and love put in by both our residents and the City’s horticultural team. It’s wonderful to see our seniors lead the way in creating a beautiful, welcoming environment that encourages a lasting passion for gardening in the community.”
Zandiswa Qoma, head of horticulture for the area, said: “The roses are a symbol of what can be achieved when we work together to nurture and preserve our green spaces. It’s a privilege to see the results of our seniors’ hard work and we look forward to continuing our efforts in keeping the garden in bloom for all to enjoy.”
