‘Flowers have taught me patience’: Lawyer turns home into thriving nursery

Thandeka Moyo Ndlovu, [email protected]

BULAWAYO lawyer, Mrs Jennifer Nkomo fell in love with flowers at a tender age during which she would pick every colourful plant in the bush and take it to her homestead in Kezi, Matabeleland South province.

Of course, goats would disrupt her exterior décor progress, but she never gave up. More than 60 years later she now owns a thriving nursery created inside her yard in Ilanda suburb of Bulawayo.

Before establishing what she calls Halala Succulent Paradise, Mrs Nkomo, a mother of three, had to relocate to the United Kingdom and eventually spend most of her productive years between Africa and Europe.

Although she is trained as a lawyer, Mrs Nkomo didn’t practice due to an accident, a development which helped her slowly revert to her first love of flowers before relocating to Zimbabwe.

More than 30 species of succulents are seen scattered neatly all over her yard, a testimony of her passion for the plants, which are popularly known for their ability to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions.

By definition, succulent plants are drought-resistant plants whose leaves, stem, or roots have become more than usually fleshy due to the development of water-storing tissue.

The word succulent comes from the Latin word sulcus, meaning “juice” or “sap” and these plants may store water in various structures, such as leaves and stems whose content can get up to 90–95 percent.
“Naturally, I love flowers and from the time I was a baby, I would decorate and plant flowers at home and it was concluded that I had green fingers. After relocating I took some time nursing my children,” said Mrs Nkomo.

“Eventually, I found myself creating flower gardens and landscaping homes that we lived in during our productive years with my husband.

“He would complain and say I was investing so much in houses that we were renting, but caring for flowers had become a source of strength for me.”

Mrs Nkomo said daily she visits her nursery at 5AM and the greeting she gets from the colourful plants is all she needs to brighten the day.

“You know plants are amazing, I don’t even know how many I have in this yard, but I am certain I have more than 30 different types of succulents.

” Besides the peace I get from nursing succulents I have also learned to blossom during trials like succulents because once subjected to stress, they bring out different colours which add life to this necessity,” she said.

“As humans whenever we lack anything we are bound to complain or get weary, but flowers have taught me patience and to remain hopeful even in difficult situations.”

Mrs Nkomo said her love for succulents keeps growing as she is a member of a South African group that specialises in succulent plants.

“I used to struggle to sell these flowers due to the bond that has developed over the years, but I eventually realised that I had to commercialise my love for plants just to ensure they always have water and enough input,” she said.

“Through this, I have made friends with people from all over who order for their families back home and that is how I managed to start the business.”

Mrs Nkomo said she prays for her flowers and her favourite is called Old Queeny.
“I have since dedicated this flower to God, and whatever I make of that plant goes to the Creator in whatever way and I also buy it myself when I do some landscaping within the yard,” she said.

“My plants range from a dollar and I also take time to share knowledge with my clients as I understand that not all of us have green fingers.

“Some have had to bring back their plants for nursing and I find joy in knowing that some of my clients have since learned to plant and take care of flowers.”

Besides the beauty, Mrs Nkomo said she loves succulents which include Aloe Vera for their medicinal properties.

“Succulents are also my favourite as they have medicinal uses to treat cuts, burns, and stomach aches. Aloe is also known for its wonder of reducing inflammation and restoring skin and hair. It can also be used as a sunscreen and has anti-aging properties,” she said.