An attractive series of green, succulent plants is sprouting in the city

RELATED LINKS: The Foster Gang THE Foster Gang, consisting of William Foster, John Maxim and Carl Mezar, had evaded police for months during 1914. They were wanted for a string of robberies across the Reef, and the murder of three policemen and a passerby. Read more Kensington Castle ONE of the city's most impressive castles is in Kensington. Constructed in 1911 of stone, it has 10 rooms on four levels and is perched on the hill opposite Langermann's Kop, in Highland Road. Read more

A photograph of the land before the work of the serial planters

Serial planters add greenery to city CLEARING rubble and planting indigenous succulents is all in a Saturday's work for a serial planter. August 19, 2005 By Mamello Makgana AN ATTRACTIVE series of green, succulent plants is sprouting in the city - thanks to the Serial Planters. This small group of Kensington residents clears urban rubble on neglected municipal land to build islands of indigenous succulent flowers. The planters use aloes and other succulent plants that are able to survive under different kinds of environmental conditions. Rocks, the original foundation of the city, are used to reinforce the land and to protect the greenery. Saturday mornings are the days the Serial Planters dedicate to working the land, because of their demanding full time careers. Among them is a specialist from Anglo American. Funding for this venture comes from the planters' pockets. They buy the plants and use their own gardening tools, and enjoy what they create. One of the planters has turned to his love of golf and created a putt-putt course on North Street's extended opening. According to serial planter Patrick Cockrayne, what they do makes the city beautiful. His work can be seen on a significant patch of land on Langermann's Kop, where he has planted succulents around an historic walkway that was created by labourers who came from the south of the city to cross the kop into the Bertrams and Bezuidenhout Valley industrial areas. "This is a form of preserving an historic heritage that was buried under rubble from building materials," he says. Planters plants that are able to survive under different kinds of environmental conditions Early residents of the suburb, the Nelson brothers, started the trend of 'serial planting'. The brothers, Stanley and William, planted the trees that now gives Kensington its distinctive appearance. About Kensington Kensington lies on the south-eastern side of Johannesburg. It has a colourful history. Criminals and the rich walked the same streets in the suburb. The neighbourhood has friendly neighbours who often wave and smile at each other. There are reputable high schools in the area, such as Jeppe Boys School. Its landmarks include the imposing Kensington Castle in Highland Road opposite Langermann's Kop and an old tunnel, the scene of crime and tragedy in 1914. In one of the most remarkable criminal sagas in early Johannesburg history, the Foster Gang committed suicide after being cornered by the police. Nine other people also died, among them a distinguished South African War general. Guides are available to view the historical and architectural significance of these pioneer suburbs, and the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust guides take walking tours of the area. For more information, call 011 482 3349. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za