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Ivan Zhakata Lifestyle Correspondent
It started as a dumpsite, but now it is a place where everyone in one of Harare’s oldest suburbs, Highfield, want to go and chill out, while others are having photoshoots in now what is called Wonderland Gardens.
Like in the Bible where Adam and Eve were given charge of the Garden of Eden, Spencer Tom (36) and Genius Chiringa (37), who survived on making bangles and necklaces out of beads, decided to trade their business by establishing a flora garden, taking charge of it.
Situated behind Gwanzura Stadium, the place once known as an illegal dumpsite, has been converted into a flower nature reserve.
If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a flower garden and the aroma it produces is second to none.
The two have since transformed the dumpsite into a haven of flowers, not just a haven, but a sanctuary that houses more than 60 species of flowers.
Among the flowers found in the garden are Aloe Vera, Red and White Roses, Heart of Jesus, Maple Trees, Copper Leaf, Elephant, Spider Plants, Firestorm, California Sunset, Fox Fail, Rock Weed, Jade Plant, Mother-in-law’s Tongue, Elephant Bush, Rosemary, Codeline, Madagascar, Perivinga, Zulu Giant and the Chinese Cabbage.
They all provide pleasant fragrance such that one would not want to leave the garden.
The flowers are complemented by trees, both indigenous and exotic, to provide a shed for the visitors and herbs that cure different illnesses which have attracted a lot of people from the community and the surroundings.
As if that is not enough, there are well-decorated stools and tables made out of tyres and sand designed to fit different types of crowds.
Besides the garden, which has become one of the most attractive places in their high-density suburb, the duo also does painting, house decoration and landscaping.
Spencer said they hoped to have a bigger space where they could fully utilise their skills and contribute to domestic tourism.
“After we started this garden, we never thought that it would attract a lot of people such that the place is now becoming too small to host them,” he said. “Some people are coming just to chill in the garden, while others are having photoshoots, with others requesting to have parties in the garden.
“In the first days, entry was on free admission, but with the pressure and number of people who are coming to the garden we are looking at putting a small entrance fee which will cater for the maintenance of the garden and other costs such as water and more land.”
Spencer said they were also looking at engaging the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) and participating in local festivals so that they lift the country’s flag high.
“We would want to contribute to the growth of the tourism industry in our country through participating in local festivals,” he said. “We want people to visit Highfield and leave with a lasting impression on how recyclable materials can be used to create a beautiful garden like Wonderland Gardens.”
Genius said it was their wish that the council could provide them with more land, even islands in the city centre so that they can showcase their talent while beautifying the city.
“Our wish is to have more space so that we can recycle more materials while promoting local tourism in the country,” he said. “The number of people visiting this garden is growing each day and we will not be able to handle them.
“The other challenge that we are facing is water challenges. We need to keep the garden attractive and to do that it must be watered regularly so that we do not deviate from our thrust of promoting domestic tourism in our country.”
The two buy plants, potting soil, and a window box at different nurseries ride the bus to the garden, and put together a colourful garden which is now used as a park by residents.
Rhyming verse carries the brief story, while wonderful, warm, full-colour illustrations present scenes from innovative angles, and depict a duo with a sense of intimacy, sincerity and joy.
Spencer and Genius use old tyres, dumped pots, cups, bottles and air filters from cars, among anything that can be planted flowers into thereby recycling refuse and putting it to good use.
Asked where they get their tyres and flowers from, Spencer said they collected tyres that have been condemned in garages and tyre repair outlets and then used them to create vases for flowers.
“It is all about recycling and as you know tyres are not bio-digestible so we take those tyres that have been condemned and recycle them by making beautiful vases for our flowers,” he said.
“We also collect some of the tyres on dumpsites where we also collect other recycable materials such as bottles and plastic containers for use. As of flowers we get them from the community, some offer us for free and we also buy others.
“The community has been very helpful in providing flowers as well as tyres because days some people can come to the garden offering us tyres or flowers to use to transform the garden.”
Spencer said they have not yet encountered any challenges with allergies and hope that the situation will remain the same.
He said the idea started while they were making beads for sale close to the dump site.
“It was when Genius and I were making beads for sale close to the dumpsite and a lot of people were dumping their refuse at the place making it a health hazard then we approached the council which gave us the green light to create the garden,” said Spencer.
“Our vision is to promote local tourism through creating such gardens in different suburbs across the city so that people do not have to travel outside the city to see wonders.
“We also want to work with the tourism authorities so that we can showcase our talent outside the country.”
Online Reporter