Township Gardens
GPS: 32°41’12” S 26°05’47”
Since the start of the Bedford Garden Festival in 2004 years ago, residents of the township have slowly but surely joined in until today, when there are at least 20 gardens, mostly vegetables but some with flowers in the front and vegetables at the back of the plot.
The gardeners have become good friends and often get together to exchange gardening tips.
WELCOME SIGN: Edith Williams placed a huge welcome sign outside her house.
GARDEN FLAMINGO: Christine Stemele's garden was pretty strong on South African motiffs, from the stork down to the colourful flower containers.
SMALL BUT NEAT: Christine Stemele in the small but neat and attractive garden.
COLOURFUL CONTAINER: One of the colourful South African-themed flower containers in Christine's garden.
PROUD GARDENER: Antoon Lungile proudly shows his beautiful blooms in the front of his house.
BETTER VIEW: Antoon Lungile admires the flowers growing in his garden.
HARD WORK: The hours of work put into Antoon Lungile's garden have paid off for him.
NEWCOMER: Nonthutuzelo Ngetu was disappointed in 2013 because the hot weather came too late and her garden was not yet in bloom.. It was her first flower show..
FLOWER BOWL: Pamela Matikeza laughs as she shows off her novel flower container.
BED OF FLOWERS: Margaret Lupuwana admires the blooms in her garden.
FESTIVE TIME: Seeing 2013 was a late blooming time Margaret Lupuwana decided to to brighten up the her festival garden by adding her own touch of colour.
WILD GARDEN: Kiewiet Rex decided to bring some of South Africa's animals into his garden by making a cement leopard.
POWERFUL BIRD: Kiewiet and Evelyn Rex admire the cement eagle he made for his township garden.
PRACTICAL GARDENER: Noluvo Mnqamisa and the vegetable garden at her home. Many township gardeners grow vegetables as they say you cannot eat flowers like roses.
LATE BLOOMS: Many Bedford gardeners were disapointed when their flowers bloomed too late for the festival.
TIME TO PRAY: Rita Zahela was getting ready to go to church but she first took time to show festinos around her garden.
VEGETABLE PATCH: Eddie Mene prefers to grow vegetables to supplement his meagre income.
THRIVING ROSE BUSH: Lilian Nkomo besides the beautiful rambling rose which is growing in her front garden.