Cape Town’s Leon Boyd, 80, unwilling to remain housebound for an extended period during Covid lockdown, came up with a wonderful idea that would allow him to enjoy the outdoors and keep him occupied during the uncertain days we faced in 2020.
The original concept has since expanded significantly, becoming an ongoing project that brings a great deal of pleasure to both him and other residents of Mouille Point.
Leon, a retired businessman who has always enjoyed gardening, explains that he cleared a small patch of municipal garden space on the pavement in Bay Road behind Mouille Sands, the block of flats where he and his wife, Glenda, live. “There was a flower bed but it had nothing planted in it, so I started digging a little patch and planting small pieces of plants. As these plants took, I added a few more, and I cleared the existing dead growth, and the area grew a little more.”
And the small patch has become much bigger over the years. As Leon explains, “Next to us is the building Vantage, and their chairperson approached me to continue the garden all the way to the end of their building, which I have done. And, on the other side of us, is Aquarius, and their chairperson also approached me to extend to the end of their building. So, the garden is now the length of three blocks of flats.”
Numerous passers by walking along the pavement in Bay Road appreciate the beauty of the garden. While the Cape Jewish Chronicle was there to take photographs, a tourist from the UK stopped to chat about it. She was thrilled to meet Leon, the man behind the whole concept.
Although Leon did not get formal authorisation for his project from the municipality, it’s clearly been accepted, since Parks and Gardens has responded positively to Leon’s requests to remove garden refuse from the project.
Beyond requesting Leon to extend the area under cultivation, neighbours from the other apartment blocks have been supportive, allowing him to use water from their buildings to water the garden. “Sometimes, residents from the blocks give me money towards the project – I use those funds to purchase plants. I also buy plants myself, and cultivate new plants from cuttings from existing plants.”
While Leon does the bulk of the work himself, he has been assisted for most of the time the project has been running by a homeless man named Rasta. Leon explains: “Right near the beginning, he walked past while I was busy working in the garden, and I asked him if he would like to work. He said that he wanted to help, and he has been with me ever since – for about five years now.”
And Rasta has benefited tremendously: he earns a small income, and receives food and other things from the Boyds and other residents. In addition, he has expanded his knowledge and skills.
Neighbours from the other buildings nearby are very appreciative of the work undertaken by Leon and Rasta. Reina Fabian, for instance, comments: “Leon’s garden is so beautiful and planted exquisitely – uplifting a large section of Bay Road. It’s a pleasure to walk by and enjoy the magnificent colours of the flowers!” For Merle Furman, what stands out is how the plants have flourished. “They’ve responded to real love and care,” she says. “The mix of different plants and shrubs makes such a gentle natural show.” Merle also comments on the fact that a retiree and a formerly homeless person have found greater purpose in their daily lives. “They are able to enjoy the dignity of work and the benefit of being occupied in meaningful activities,”
she says.
Leon encourages others to take a look at the garden. “It’s particularly beautiful at the moment,” he says, “so pop round to Bay Road to come and enjoy what we’ve created.” ●
Glenda recalls the day a car parked near to where Leon was working. A woman approached him aggressively, calling him out for not looking after the pavement garden near her apartment block. It turned out that she assumed Leon was doing the work on behalf of the Municipality!
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