Africa Region
Bonsai in South Africa is very active with some 700 members country wide,
with new clubs being established all the time.
Bonsai was first introduced to South Africa in the mid '50's by Bekky Lucas
of Cape Town. She travelled to Japan to study the art. Her collection is
now housed at the Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens and the Boland Bonsai Kai
care for it there. I must say though, it was really only after John Naka's
visit in the early 80's that bonsai really took off here. He was and is
still, a real inspiration to most of us.
We are indeed very proud of our own authors, many of whom have published
articles in European Bonsai Magazines and several books & booklets here.
Probably the best known is Charles Ceronio who published his book - Bonsai
Styles of the World in 1999.
With regard to material used for bonsai, I would have to say that we tend
to use mostly our own indigenous trees such as the Olea Europeae: africana,
Buddleja Saligna, Grewia Occidentalis, Commiphora Harveyii, Celtis Africana
and of course the Acacias and Baobab's which make awesome bonsai's ! We
do also use the more 'traditional' species such as Junipers & Elms,
but it is extremely difficult to import any trees.
There are some 40 clubs who have annual or bi-annual shows and then there
is an annual National Convention. Over the years we have invited many of
the international Masters - John Naka, Roy Nagatoshi, Harry Tomlinson, Ben
Oki, Deborah & Dorothy Koreshoff, Craig Coussins, Guy Guidry, Mr Cheng
& Mr Su to name but a few.
In 2002, we hosted the 1st African International Bonsai & Suiseki Convention
in Pretoria. We were very excited to have Salvatore Liporace and Walter
Pall demonstrating and holding workshops at the convention. Delegates to
the convention came from all over the world and African continent.
With regard to the administration of Bonsai in Africa, we are in the process
of changing this organisation to meet with the requirements of the World
Bonsai Friendship Federation as requested at the convention in Munich.
Heather Pfister.
Secretary - African Bonsai Association.