On November 18, 2001, students from Sinethemba Secondary School went to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Newlands as part of a training exercise led by members of the Wilderness Leadership School.
We were met at the Gardens by our guides and set off on a walk through the Gardens, stopping every now and then for the guides to talk to us about things such as alien vegetation and the importance of water conservation.
In groups, listening to the guides.
Walking through the gardens
Listening to our guides.
Unfortunately, due to the heavy rain, our walk was shortened and we returned to the centre earlier than planned to have further discussions that were intended to have been carried out on the walk. On the way back to the centre, we were split into groups of about ten; our guides told us about fynbos and showed us examples of the different plants that make up the fynbos biome. We were also invited to 'listen to the silence' and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Gardens, for the country, for tourists, and for the Cape Town population.
Back at the centre we continued what became an animated discussion about water conservation and alien vegetation. The abundance of alien vegetation in the Western Cape was noted. It was noted that some alien species, such as pine trees, use a lot of water, which is a big problem in a region that is short of water. The advantages of some alien species were also noted - for example, pine trees are used to make paper.
The problem of water management caught the imagination of the students from
Sinethemba who put forward several suggestions as to how the Western Cape might
conserve water. Several of the students saw the problem in political terms
and looked to a political solution, whereas the guides were placing more
emphasis on small changes in individual behaviour, such as using a mug of water
when brushing ones teeth rather than keeping the tap running.
Discussion, after the walk, on ways to conserve water.
One of the guides making a point
Following the discussion the guides had a debriefing meeting while the students had lunch and relaxed.
Having lunch and relaxing at the end of the trip.