Durban - “Although there wasn’t a position available, I said I’d do anything to work near plants, pick up litter, whatever.”
That was Amanda Maphumulo, who while studying for her National Diploma in Horticulture at Durban University of Technology (DUT) between 2012 to 2015, never envisioned working alongside the author of ‘Wild Flowers in KZN’ – a reference book that was instrumental in achieving her diploma.
But in 2016, Amanda was invited to work with the renowned horticulturalist and landscaper, Elsa Pooley, landscaping and establishing the indigenous gardens at the mature lifestyle village, Renishaw Hills.
“In high school I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I knew it was something to do with plants and nature.
"I was excited to get to DUT and actually view plant cells through a microscope. We didn’t have a science lab or microscopes at school so I’d just learnt about them in books,” said Amanda.
On completing her studies, the 28-year-old Magabeni resident didn’t have any leads on a job, so she started researching nurseries around the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast area.
“I found Izinyoni Indigenous Nursery which I thought would be perfect, even if I could get a volunteer position, it was close enough to travel. I arrived there with my CV and diploma and said I had studied horticulture. Although there wasn’t a position available, I said I’d do anything to work near plants, pick up litter, whatever.”
Her determination paid off and she started working in a part-time capacity in 2015. The following year she was introduced to Elsa Pooley.
“I had been learning from her book at university, and now I was getting to meet her. It was such an honour.”
Maphumulo was invited to join the Renishaw Hills’ team in 2016, working as a Garden Installation and Maintenance Supervisor - and she works closely with Pooley, establishing indigenous gardens at each residence on the lush estate. Elsa draws up the landscape designs and Amanda will work from these, planting the gardens and often, using her own creativity to design the gardens herself.
“I’ve learnt so much from Mrs Pooley, she’s passionate and knows what she wants. One day, I hope to be like her. Wherever you go, people know who she is and ask her advice. She is respected and this makes her a great mentor.”
Describing her apprentice as a ‘skilled plantswoman’, Pooley said Maphumulo has taken to her role with a fervent desire to learn, showing an inherent understanding for horticulture.
“She is highly intelligent. Amanda knows all the indigenous plants by their scientific names which is important for this project. Not everyone who trains in horticulture has a real feel for plants, but Amanda has this - and excellent people skills too. She is completely focused on the work and the people with whom she is working,” said Elsa, adding that horticulture offers many job opportunities for young women, as long as they’re prepared for ‘hard work, both physical and mental”.
Maphumulo said she has relished the role of working alongside a female mentor who has shown her exactly what can be achieved. Sharing her experience with other women, Maphumulo said, “My advice to young women is that you need to be proactive. As my lecturer said, ‘be a self-starter’. If you study, don’t think that’s enough. Go out, volunteer if you can’t find a paying job, don’t sit around waiting. If you’re lucky enough to get a job then learn, humble yourself and grow.”