Behind every award-winning garden lies not just the expertise of its gardeners, but the dedication and leadership that drive their success. At Brahman Hills situated in the KZN Midlands, this success story is embodied by Abongile Majola, who started his journey as a casual worker in 2019. He has subsequently risen to become the Head of Gardens for Brahman Hills, leading a team of 12 in managing an impressive 1000 hectares of property and 26 garden rooms.
Abongile’s story is one of determination, passion, and remarkable growth. When he first joined Brahman Hills, he began building rock walls and garden features. However, his genuine curiosity about plants led him to ask questions about planting techniques and plant varieties. Recognising his passion, his then-manager encouraged him to apply for a gardening role. Once Abongile transitioned into a full-time position, his manager gifted him books to nurture his passion for plants. Abongile’s insatiable curiosity led him to discuss his newfound knowledge with his team daily. He also attended several short courses, and before long, he was demonstrating techniques and best practices to team members who had been there longer than he had.
During COVID-19, the team was left without a manager for two weeks. Recognising the need for leadership, Abongile chose to step up and lead the team during this time. His initiative earned him the admiration of the Brahman Hills Leadership Team.
Two years later, his exceptional work ethic, passion and ability to lead others, saw him being promoted to Head of Gardens in November 2022. And, under his leadership, the Brahman Hills gardens were named the Overseas Region Winner in the esteemed Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Partner Garden of the Year Competition in 2023.
According to Orrin Cottle, CEO of Brahman Hills, while the award-winning gardens were designed by the legendary landscaper Tim Steyn, it is Abongile and his team who have been crucial in maintaining them. “The truth is, you can design the most magnificent gardens, but if they are not well maintained, they will never look the way they were designed to. What you see today is the result of Abongile and his team’s unwavering commitment and passion. Their daily efforts have earned us an international award, and hopefully, many more to come.”
Abongile believes that the beauty of these gardens – and any garden, for that matter – lies in its maintenance. He says, “We follow four simple guidelines that all aspiring gardeners can also adopt in their gardens.”
Abongile shares these four garden maintenance principles:
1. Irrigate: Weekly irrigation is crucial. Do not go one week without watering your garden (except if there is rain)! We use grey water to irrigate our gardens twice a week.
2. Weed: Weeds are removed daily (yes daily!) This is to ensure that no guest encounters a weed, ever! For aspiring gardeners, I would suggest you weed your garden at least once a week (regardless of the season).
3. Trim: Proper trimming at the right blade height and right time is essential for beautiful lawn. In summer, we trim twice a week, while in winter, it’s reduced to every two weeks. Remember, the correct blade height is very important for protecting the roots.
4. Prune: Regular pruning, including weekly ‘deadheading’ in summer (removing faded flowers from plants) and one winter cutback (trimming back old, dead, or overgrown branches) in August, is essential for encouraging healthy growth and maintaining the garden’s beauty.
“At Brahman Hills, we believe that ‘leadership is taken.’ From the moment Abongile walked onto our property, he took ownership of his role and led with purpose and passion. He exemplified consciousness, courage, and vulnerability – qualities we believe define great leaders. We couldn’t be prouder!”
For more information about Brahman Hills and their award-winning gardens, please visit https://www.brahmanhills.co.za/
Brahman Hills is entering the RHS Partner Garden of the Year competition again. To vote, go to: https://www.rhs.org.uk/…/rhs-partner-garden-of-the…/vote