Story: KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDENS
Meeting Mr Mandela at Kirstenbosch National Botanical must be an exciting and special occasion for anyone in the world and it certainly was for me.
Kirstenbosch presented him with an illustration of a yellow Strelitzia reginae that had been renamed in his honour -- Mandela’s Gold. My research and development of this plant together with Kirstenbosch staff had taken about 20 years.
The artist, Jill Condy was present and I am sure that she also felt enormously honoured to have her excellent portrayal of the plant recognised in such a way. For this Strelitizia to be renamed after a man who has contributed more to South Africa than any other person, certainly added to the satisfaction of developing such a special plant.
Quote: "It certainly added to the satisfaction of developing such a special plant."