Sisulu Circle Garden tribute to an icon
THE Sisulu Circle Garden, a landscaped feature paying tribute to the Struggle icon Walter Sisulu, has been unveiled by Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom.
The statue was built at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort, west of Joburg.
The garden, which includes a bust sculpture of Sisulu, a water feature with aquatic plants, information and interpretation points, showcases a range of tourism and marketing initiatives funded by the Department of Tourism.
Speaking at the official unveiling this week, Molewa said this was the third most mega-diverse country in the world, with millions of people annually experiencing the beauty and bounty of the magnificent country through visits to places such as the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden.
In the 2017/2018 financial year, visitor numbers totalled 2 156 894 – an increase of 3% from the previous year – which is also the highest visitors number ever received by the SA National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) network.
One of the gardens showing a marked increase in visitor numbers was this one.
It was visited by 301 965 people in the 2017/18 financial year, according to a joint statement by the departments.
“Our natural heritage remains one of the most popular attractions for South Africans, some of whom enjoy brief sojourns to the botanical gardens – found in eight of our provinces – to reconnect with nature and to relax,” said Molewa.
“The introduction of the Sisulu Circle here is an ideal opportunity for the public, and in particular the youth, to reconnect with our country’s heritage.
“It is an opportunity to not only honour a great man, but to learn more about the role played by Walter Sisulu in the attainment of the democracy and freedom we have enjoyed since 1994,” she said.
The 276ha Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden was established in 1982, and is one of SANBI’s network of national botanical gardens spread across seven provinces.
Formerly known as the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden, the garden was renamed the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in 2004 through an initiative taken by the then minister of environmental affairs and tourism, Valli Moosa, to honour the life and work of Sisulu.
The garden plays a crucial conservation role, including protection of one of the few remaining populations of the Endangered Albertina Sisulu Orchid in Gauteng that is being threatened by housing develop- ments and uncontrolled recreational vehicle activities.
The garden also has a breeding pair of Verreaux’s eagles.
Nearly 250 bird species have been recorded there.