I’ve been dreadfully uninspired lately, struggling to think of anything I want to blog about despite having a long list of great ideas (many of which you, my readers, provided in September). I’m finding it hard to feel positive about life at the moment. But on Saturday Thorsten and I got the chance to visit Indwe Park, an indigenous garden and sculpture park in Braamfontein, and I knew I had my topic for today.
Indwe Park — Indwe is the isiXhosa word for blue crane, South Africa’s national bird — is on the Braamfontein campus of Liberty, a South African insurance and investment company. Despite having been around for a couple of years, Indwe is not yet open to the public; so far the park is only available to Liberty employees and visitors by invitation only. This makes me sad and also a bit hesitant to blog about the park, which could be (and hopefully will be, eventually) a fantastic Joburg tourist attraction.
But Indwe looks beautiful right now, with thousands of exploding wildflower blossoms, and it was so peaceful there on Saturday. There were tons of birds (including my favorite Joburg bird, the hadeda) enjoying the space; it was very relaxing to wander around listening to birdsong and the indigenous grasses blowing in the breeze. It was late in the afternoon and a summer thunderstorm was brewing — the best time to be outside in Joburg — and being in Indwe Park made me feel a little less anxious. Here are some pictures.
Indwe Park: A Photo Story
If you’re interested in Indwe Park and potential ways to visit, I recommend following Friends of the Wilds on Facebook. Artist James Delaney, who spearheaded the rebirth of the Wilds (another beautiful Joburg park), was also intimately involved in the design and planning of Indwe Park. A post from James on Friends of the Wilds led to our visit to Indwe. UPDATE: Please join the newly created Friends of Indwe Park Facebook group for more information on how you can visit the park.
What a shame it’s not (yet) open to the public. And how amazing it could be if thru could replicate this model to some of the other derelict parks like Joubert Park
I know. I do empathize with the challenges they face in opening up the park but it’s very sad.
I’ve been there a couple of months ago and it is a truly beautiful space. The mind boggles why it not open to the public as was originally intended – Designed by the architect Desmond Batley – it was intended as a gateway between lower Braamies – Wits & The Johannesburg Theatre –
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-02-14-a-new-public-art-sculpture-and-wellness-park-soon-to-launch-in-braamfontein/
“He (Batley) believes the park has the potential to attract thousands of people and that its strategic location will also be attractive to tourists. “It is on top of a koppie, a natural lookout point, which is part of the Witwatersrand ridges, which are part of the gold-bearing reef upon which the city is built.”
He also hopes that the Braamfontein park will be a safe space for all to enjoy: “We are taking quite a progressive approach. There won’t be any walls around it, it will stay open till late at night and will be well lit, and there will be security and cameras and visible security, but it is a low-key approach.”
James Delaney did a lot of work on the design of the park’s indigenous gardens and is highly irritated about the fact that is is not open to the general public AT ALL. I had to go to Liberty’s reception, and wait for the grounds manager to come down from his office to get permission to go into the park. It is Liberty’s property I suppose, but the fact that its not utilized as intended makes no sense – Drew Lindsay (RIP) was a great promoter of art in public spaces and its such a pity that the beautiful mosaic – completed after his passing and also that powerful arch by Kagiso Pat Mautloa constructed from all kinds of discarded steel objects that depicts the mining history of this old whore of a city is hidden away to a large extent
I also read somewhere that Johnny Clegg and Savuka recorded parts of either Osiyaza or Scatterings of Africa on that Koppies. That space is steeped in Johannesburg’s fabric and it’s a great shame that it’s not easily accessible.
Yes to all that! And yes, there is a plaque inside about Johnny Clegg – apparently he and Savuka rehearsed there.
What is the reason that it’s not open to the public? Security? Or since it’s on private property is there all sorts of risk and indemnity issues to sort out if a member of the public is injured / harmed on the premises?
I haven’t spoken to anyone about this. But I’m assuming all of the above.
Thanks Heather, I didn’t know this existed, so it reads as a very positive story to me. Hopefully it will have better access in future but in the meantime, what a fantastic space for the people who work there.
The flowers you asked about look like Guara, also called the butterfly bush for the way they dance in the wind. It is a non-invasive North American perennial and waterwise once established. It is popular with landscape designers because it makes people smile. Much needed at the present.
Thanks for making the extra effort. Appreciated.
I also think it’s a positive story overall, and I’m also very envious of the people who work there! (Although I certainly don’t miss working 9-5, haha.) Thanks for the tip on the flowers.
Pink Gaura is stunning…so had to get some for my garden 🙂
https://images.app.goo.gl/Xo2xt64CwiwofUXu5
If i had a garden I totally would too.
Thanks for enabling me to rediscover the city I grew up in and then left fifty years ago. How it’s changed, yet the spirit remains. In this precinct I used to run from police batons and teargas whenever Wits students were protesting along Jan Smuts Ave.
Those memories must feel very surreal now!
what a beautiful post. almost makes me miss joburg a little bit. almost. a little bit.
Hahaha. I know what you mean.
Hi Heather, Didn’t know about this place in Braam. Hope they are going to open it for the public, but safety issues will be the main issues to keep the park beautiful as it is. I heard about the plaquette for Johnny Clegg but couldn’t remember where they put it. Your “not happy with life” mood sounds like an early Christmas down mood; the end of the year is coming down mood. Hope that you will have a wonderful Christmas break with Thorsten to get new energy and creativity for the year to come.
Thanks Maarten! You too.
Beautiful space. It looks so empty, though!
Yup. Just one security guard and us (and a few passing Liberty employees). Presumably there are more employees during the week.
Loved reading your story and your beautiful images. Have been dying to visit – so great to know that now we finally can. Many thanks, Heather, as always… xx
You’re welcome!
Wow ! a real gem in the city..
Thank you Heather for sharing.your experience and photos.Love the diversity,and credit to all that have
contributed in whichever way.
I,m a novice mosaic enthusiast.,and a nature lover.
I would love to be a part of this