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Cape Town’s botanical history
August 22, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
R400
NEW TOUR Lizzie Gaisford’s walk ranges from fynbos and fruit to architectural details and commerce. Plants play a significant role in Cape Town and, consequently, South Africa’s history.
Lizzie knows central Cape Town like the back of her hand. She led many walking tours here. During Covid, Lizzie moved to Zululand. Working on an avocado and macadamia nut farm, Lizzie runs farm and foraging tours. She is responsible for @forest_at_51 on Instagram about neighbourhood ecology, edible weeds and urban trees.
Our story starts with plants that turn the clouds into running water on Table Mountain. Over millennia people have relied on both the water and plants to survive and in time, prosper.
Exotic trees from far flung lands tell of the passing ships, European settlers and the fashion for botanical collections.
Seemingly arbitrary shrubs speak for the first botanists to describe South Africa’s flora to science.
Today’s urban biodiversity is seen in tiny life and intimate plant-animal relationships. Newer inhabitants have made their way uninvited in many places.
Our tour starts in the Company’s Garden. As we walk to the Trafalgar Place flower market, we stop at a fruit and veg stall, a chapter on South Africa’s diverse climates, agriculture (and imports).
At the flower market, off Adderley Street, we learn about its links with the abolition of enslaved labour, peri-urban smallholder community in Apartheid and the development of the city centre.
As we go to Greenmarket Square, we are likely to see Muthi being sold on pavements ie traditional medicine (some say poison). Ancient pharmacy presents conflicts between tradition and conservation.
We finish at the oldest known vine in Cape Town, 1771, in Heritage Square, just off Bree Street.
R400 or pay before 19 August, R300.
To book and get payment options: kate@cultureconnectsa.com WhatsApp +27 (0)72 377 8014
Meeting point
Company’s Garden
15 Queen Victoria Street
Cape Town, 8001
Ending at
Courtyard, Heritage Square
90 Bree Street
Cape Town 8000
Thursday 22 August
10am to noon
Do stay on for an optional lunch at a nearby cafe
