Beauty on main street

KNYSNA NEWS - Ten years ago, "after hearing too many opinions about the degradation of Main Road", Knysna resident Stella Sohn decided to line the road with pots containing flowers, shrubs and trees.

"I set about raising sponsorship from the community and getting permission from the town engineer and landscaper, and Knysna in Bloom was born," she says.

'We're still here'

"I have faced many challenges over the years - theft, vandalism, damage (to pots) from vehicle accidents, people who view them (pots) as either seats or bins, but I haven't let any of this get me down, and we're still here, 10 years on. "

'Tranquillity'

Her "mad idea" has resulted in 70 pots being placed on either side of Main Road, beautifying it and bringing a welcome degree of tranquillity to the buzzing main thoroughfare.

The pot plants 'cheer people up and enhance the street.

For the past five years, it has cost Sohn R3 000 a month to run the initiative.

'Shouldering all costs'

"I know the residents of Knysna value and appreciate the project and would be horrified if I closed it down, but it simply isn't sustainable for one person to shoulder the costs," she says.

"For the first five years Knysna municipality funded the project to the tune of R12 000 a year, which covered Randall the car guard's wages - yes, he's still with us!

Touch of colour.

"Three times a week he waters, weeds and collects litter from all 70 pots. He has proved invaluable, and what lovely chap!

"Twice a week my gardener, Timothy Nyirenda, helps him and replants when I need him to."

'Get no help from owners'

Pots have been placed outside the Knysna Mall, at the Woodmill Lane Shopping Centre, Demar Centre, Post Office, Shell garage, police station, and at many other buildings, including Oaks on Main.