Tokara’s Open Garden and Rare Plant Fair, set to be held on Saturday 8 November, is a day out celebrating renewal, community and the outdoors.
The annual initiative is hosted by owners GT and Anne-Marie Ferreira, who open their private grounds as a gesture of welcoming the local community.
Since 2018, with one pause during the Covid 19 pandemic, the day has continued the Helshoogte Pass estate’s ethos of giving back by supporting the Camphill Farm Community in Hermanus. This is an NGO-driven initiative in which all proceeds, together with the time dedicated by Tokara staff, are directed to Camphill, inviting visitors to enjoy a memorable day out while making a meaningful contribution.
Alongside specialist growers and Tokara’s immersive gardens, the fair features a contemplative Moss Garden installation by botanical artist Gert van Tonder.
Camphill will also host two garden-workshop locations on the estate, where residents and team members will share simple skills, stories from the farm, and offer home-grown goodies, including spices and teas, for purchase.
Cashless facilities at these points will be reinvested back in the community to help strengthen its sustainability.
“When the Ferreiras open their gardens, they’re really opening their hearts,” Van Tonder says. “Moss reminds us that renewal often begins with tiny threads binding the earth together until whole landscapes come alive again.
“This installation is a space to pause with family and friends, and a reminder that caring for plants, places and people is how landscapes and communities endure.”
Michelle van Zyl, fundraiser at Camphill, says Tokara’s support is a thread of giving back that runs through the years. “Every contribution helps transform the lives of adults with intellectual disabilities, ensuring they can live and work with dignity. At the fair visitors, experience a beautiful day outdoors and become part of a community that cares.”
The event will also feature various food stalls, pre-booked picnics and tastings. It runs from 08:00 until 16:00. Tickets at the gate cost R60 per person.
- Visit www.rareplantfair.co.za for more information.
