My Profile

I studied horticulture (Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, 1976-80), worked briefly for National Parks & Wildlife Management at Sengwa in Zim, then back in South Africa, spent 33 years (1988-2021) on Buffelskloof Private Nature Reserve, in Mpumalanga as manager and botanist. Obtained an MSc Botany degree at UKZN in 1990. Travelled extensively through southern Africa researching and collecting plants, resulting in the publication of a number of books on botanical groups (see iconesbotanicum.co.za). One of my great influences was our A-Level Biology master, the late E.J. 'Ted' Marais to whom I owe much. One of our books was coincidentally published by an Old Falcon, Robin Stuart-Clark (Oates, ?1964-69) and his company Print Matters. Again, quite unbelievably, I was replaced after my retirement from Buffelskloof, by another Old Falcon, Leon van Wyk, son of our late maths master, 'Twik' van Wyk. My wife and I are now retired down to the village of Calitzdorp in the Little Karoo of South Africa.