More than two years after floodwaters tore through his cherished garden Franschhoek herbalist and indigenous plant specialist Judah James said his beloved herbal haven is slowly but surely returning to its former glory.
His garden was one of the several casualties of the devestating floods of September 2023.
READ: Franschhoek herbalist still reeling September flood’s impact
Not only did James lose his plants but a wooden shed that served as storage and admin facility was also destroyed.
Through funding from both local and international samaritans Judah has over the past two years been able to replace what he had lost including the procurement of a brand new shed.
James, who was born and bred in the area, identified the piece of land in Franschhoek’s Main Road in the early 2000s.
He turned into it into what is known today as the Franschhoek Medicinal Plants Demonstration Garden.
Under the guidance of organisations such as CapeNature and the Botanical Society of South Africa James managed to lease the piece of land legally from the Department of Public Works for conservation purposes.
The garden attracts both local and international indigenous plant lovers, where one can feel, touch and taste a spectrum of natural medicinal plants on a guided tour offered by James himself.
“One of my biggest challenges was certainly to get rid of all the rubble and sand that came with the flood. Luckily I have a very reliable contact at the municipality’s community services department who have been key in helping me remove the rubble.
“Though it took several months of back and forward communication it was also the community services department that erected proper fencing around the property.”
James said he recently became concerned when a digger rocked up at the property and took soil samples from a stream adjacent his garden.
“My biggest fear was that they would expand the stream and this would ultimately have an impact on my activities. I was also more concerned that this had just happened without consulting me first.
“I have put so much effort into rebuilding this garden and restoring it to being the educational centre it once was. All I am asking is for protection for the work I am doing here.”
Stellenbosch municipal spokeperson Stuart Grobbelaar confirmed work the municipality had undertaken forms part of its ongoing efforts to “safeguard lives and property following the severe flooding experienced in September 2023.
“This very stream caused extensive damage to surrounding businesses, infrastructure and roads. Ground assessments and sampling are standard steps in planning flood-mitigation measures to ensure that future storms do not result in similar destruction.
“We will engage directly with Mr. James to provide clarity on the process and to ensure that he is fully informed as plans develop.
“All work is being carefully planned by qualified engineers to improve the safety and resilience of the area, while ensuring that his business and others are not negatively impacted.
“Our intention is to create a more effective system for safely channelling water without disrupting surrounding properties, infrastructure or economic activity.”
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