Fynbos fans can experience the very first Cape Town FynbosLIFE fair, showcasing all things fynbos – from its beauty to its conservation value – on Garden Day.
Local NPO FynbosLIFE (Locally Indigenous Flora Education) based on the Muizenberg vlei, will be hosting the first FynbosLIFE fair on Sunday October 9 at Zandvlei Lookout in Lakeside. Entry to the event is free.
Fair organisers Dr Caitlin von Witt and Genie Vittu said the event, which is run on a volunteer basis, will feature a wide range of fynbos artisans and conservation organisations, with over 30 stands educating the public on all things fynbos.
“With fynbos as the feature of the event, visitors can expect to see and enjoy fynbos-related and-inspired wares; foraged fynbos feasts; beverages ranging from fynbos-distilled or -infused gin and rum, fynbos cocktail/mocktail creations and tastings by Kurt Schlecter, barman extraordinaire,” Ms Vittu said.
In addition, there will also be botanical fynbos artwork including photography and ceramics, buchu-scented candles, flower crowns, children’s activities environmental groups and hacking gurus.
Informal discussions on all things fynbos will start at 10am and end at 4pm in 30-minute slots.
Guest speakers on the day will include author Loubie Rusch (fynbos food), Stellenbosch University PhD student Kaylan Reddy (fynbos medicine), Dr Caitlin von Witt (FynbosLIFE and fynbos restoration), Dr Jeremy Shelton (fynbos freshwater conservation), and Patrick Dowling with Helena Atkinson (WESSA).
According to Dr Von Witt, the fair is an excellent opportunity for like-minded fynbos fanatics to meet.
“Networking for fynbos strengthens our ability to take conservation action – what better place to do this than the FynbosLIFE fair,” she said.
Dr Shelton, who will talk on fynbos fish conservation, said this fair is all about celebrating fynbos.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to take people on a journey into the hidden freshwater wonderland beneath the surface of our fynbos rivers and streams,” he said.
Local musicians Wren Hinds, Monwabisi “Soulitude” Dasi, Grant van Rooyen and Mariana del Carmen, among other artists, will be providing entertainment on the day with a rich combination of jazz, funk, storytelling, rhythm, soul and poetry in English, Isixhosa and Afrikaans.
Dr Peter Carrick, ecologist and entrepreneur, will also be talking about his book on Namaqualand restoration, which will be launched at the fair.
There will also be two film screenings on the day, Ours not Mine on Namaqualand, produced by Ana-Filipa Domingues and directed by Bryan Little who will be on hand to introduce the film, and the highly anticipated Ghosts of Table Mountain, the new film on the critically endangered Table Mountain ghost frog.
Kids are welcome to explore the FUNBOS play area for a fun fynbos art led by FUNDAFynbos and KuruFynbos artists and a performance by The Jungle Theatre and more.
For more information visit the FynbosLIFE website at https://www.fynboslife.com/
