28/05/2026
~ Our Floral Kingdom Took Its Place On The World Stage~
Last week I had the incredible privilege of assisting with a fynbos installation at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in collaboration with the Grootbos Foundation and it is difficult to put into words just how meaningful the experience was for me.
To be entrusted by a foundation whose conservation work and vision I admire so deeply felt like such an honour. Standing side by side with their team, working with some of the most breathtaking fynbos material sourced from our region, reminded me once again how extraordinary our natural heritage truly is.
Fynbos is not simply beautiful, it tells the story of place, resilience, biodiversity and identity. Every stem, texture and botanical detail carried the spirit of the landscape we call home.
What made this year feel especially significant is the continued global rise of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon as it moves closer to becoming Africa’s first Abbott World Marathon Major, a monumental moment not only for Cape Town, but for South Africa and the African continent as a whole.
As an official charity partner of the marathon, Grootbos Foundation’s involvement extends far beyond the race itself. Their mission is rooted in conserving the globally unique Cape Floral Kingdom while uplifting local communities through conservation, education, skills development and environmental stewardship.
The marathon created a powerful platform to introduce thousands of local and international visitors to the beauty and ecological importance of our fynbos landscapes, landscapes found nowhere else on earth.
What moved me most deeply was that the flowers and natural materials from our region could become part of something so much bigger, a global event carrying stories of conservation,
community, heritage and hope.
It was incredibly meaningful to play a part in Grootbos Foundation’s vision and mission during such an important moment for South African sport, conservation and identity.
I am so proud of what our floral kingdom represents to the world.