October-December 2019

THE magnificent gardens of Mulligatawny
Farm will be open to the public on the
weekend of 12-13 October 2019 from 0900
until 1700.
Situated on a private estate near to
Skeerpoort in the Cradle of Humankind, the gardens
were last open in 2017. This year’s open garden is once
again in aid of St George’s Turning Point Foundation,
which helps young people obtain vocational training.
Clubs and special-interest groups can also visit the
gardens on Friday 11 October.
“These gardens are rarely open to the public, so we
advise people to take advantage of the opportunity to
see one of Gauteng’s most original - and beautiful -
gardens, while supporting a good cause,” says Marianne
MacRobert, Chair of the St George’s Turning Point
Foundation.
“Because of the distances involved, and the extent of
the grounds, people should plan to spend several hours
there. Food and drink will be on sale, and there are
plenty of places to sit and drink in the beauty, and chat
to friends.”
About a 70 minute drive north of Johannesburg,
and 40 minutes from Lanseria Airport, this 16-hectare
garden is the brainchild of its owner, Michael Hogan,
who drew his inspiration from European landscapes
and Monet’s Water Gardens at Giverny, France. A keen
gardener all his life, Hogan is also an interior decorator
and artist, and he has created a garden full of surprises
and eccentricities, with an air of whimsy and romance.
“My garden is a place where fantasy becomes reality,
so it’s constantly evolving,” he says. “There is always
something new being planned.”
It features a matchless collection of waterlilies,
thousands of roses and irises, a lakeside folly, a garden
cathedral, an orchid house and much else. Other
highlights include sculptures, murals and a potager
(walled vegetable or kitchen garden) with hand-painted
tiles depicting exotic birds.
And talking of birds the garden is exceptionally
rich in birdlife - blue cranes and Cape vultures visit
regularly.
This year, a flower meadow stretching down to
the Skeerpoort River will be on view for the first time,
while the thatched structure alongside the lake has
been converted into an Indian pavilion, featuring a
magnificent peacock mural made by Hogan.
The garden offers many hours of exploration:
visitors are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes,
and to bring a hat and sunscreen. One only needs to be
moderately fit, and there are benches throughout the
garden for rest and contemplation. Much of the garden
is also wheelchair-friendly. Keep in mind that with
many lakes and streams children must be under adult
supervision at all times.
Plants, food and drink will be on sale at the venue.
All proceeds will go to the St George’s Turning Point
Foundation, which was established to assist young
people from disadvantaged backgrounds to obtain
marketable skills through vocational training.
Venue: Farm S86, Skeerpoort, Cradle of Humankind;
GPS coordinates: 25°49’03.7”S 27°46’09.3”E;
Dates: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October 2019
- 09h00 to 17h00 (Friday 11 October for groups,
clubs only - no food, drinks and plants will be on
sale; pre-bookings only); Tickets: R200 / R100
- children and students / R150 - groups of four or
more; Booking: Webtickets - webtickets.co.za or at
the gate; Safe parking with a shuttle service to the
farm gate is provided. For more info: call James on
083 326 4493 / info@turningpointfoundation.org.
za; https://www.facebook.com/MulligatawnyFarm;
www.turningpointfoundation.org.za; Twitter: @
TPFOpenGarden
About St George’s Turning Point Foundation
The St George’s Turning Point Foundation (TPF) began as a
home for vulnerable children. After running for more than
a decade the house was sold and a foundation established
to provide funding to help disadvantaged young people
acquire the skills they need to obtain jobs. The focus is
on vocational training to produce artisan and other skills
needed by business and industry, and that are within the
reach of the majority. Our belief is that without the realistic
prospect of a job, our young people are condemned to a
life of frustration. We are currently funding students at
Sparrow FET College and St Anthony’s Education Centre in
Boksburg.
For more information, please visit
www.turningpointfoundation.org.za
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