For all you Paul Kruger se agterplaas en richtersveldt liefhebbers

Finally I’ve actually got something to contribute

Here is a thank you letter we received today.....

Dear all.

The recent illegal trade in succulent plants have reached proportions unlike ever seen in the history of humans in the Succulent Karoo Biome of Southern Africa.  The demand from Asian markets have sky rocketed the value of critically endangered succulent plants over the past 15 months to the extended, that their value trade surpasses the trade value of rhino horn.  The Richtersveld National Park have been approached by SAPS to assist with protecting confiscated plants, rehabilitate and further use after court cases are done, and assist with avadavat reports for use in court.  In total we have done almost 60 avadavat reports for the district and regional court and received thousands of plants which are grown and kept safe at the Richtersveld National Park Nursery.

I herewith would like to share something amazing that happened recently.  In early September the police gave more than 4 000 poached bulbs to the nursery, we however had a major problem as there were no pots, and none of the Northern Cape suppliers had pots in stock in such quantity, and could get supplies only within 3-4 weeks for us.  It was an urgent matter, as the plants were aggressively uprooted by the poachers and stressed after being sealed in plastic bags of the police.  Without hope for the poached plants we just received, I saw a telephone number under one of the pots we have been using in the nursery.  I spoke to my manger, and we took a chance to phone the number and see if possible to arrange to buy pots as soon as possible.  We were friendly greeted by PC Plastics in Johannesburg.  After some discussion, they were not on the SANParks system yet as supplier and material is send only after payments.  Our HR started paper work to get them on the system, and we placed an order, however, my heart dropped in my shoes, when I was told by HR that it would probably take a month or longer to get the pots, as payments first needs to be done and they need to be approved on the system.  This was a major problem, as the plants would probably start to die by the time we finally can get pots.  I did not share what the pots are for, but that it is needed for the Richtersveld National Park Nursery to PC Plastics. The following day I received a phone call from Miss Madeleine (PC Plastics), she shared that the company is owned by her husband, and both of them are Honorary Rangers J and would like to donate all the pots we need!  I was shocked, what is the chance of randomly picking up a plastic pot in the Richtersveld National Park, with a number underneath it, and the person answering on the other side is a Honorary Ranger, and then makes such and amazing offer!

I would like to give great thanks to Miss Madeleine, her husband and their Honorary Ranger district/group for the super kind donation of pots and swift respond.  The pots were couriered within two days after contacting PC Plastics, without any problem or further questions.  Because of this we can now safe more than 4 000 poached plants from dying, and keep safe until further decision, after the court cases have been finished.  Also great thanks to Miss Theoline Farmer (assistant HR) at the Richtersveld National Park, for always being willing to help with arrangements, and getting all the other material needed for the plants.  Our Nursery, is in the furthest corner of our country, this getting material is not easy, but with people like Miss Madeleine and Miss Theoline, live is much better in the desert.

I am not sure who is Skukuza Nurseries’ suppliers of pots, but would definitely recommend them using PC Plastics, as their prices are the lowest I have found in SA yet and can save the Richtersveld and Kruger Nurseries between 20-60% on the expenses of buying pots from other suppliers we have been using, depending on the type of pots.

Blessings to all.