Transforming Kenton’s Gateway: A New African Legacy Project with Alexandria Cycads
- Claude Renaud
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
Kenton-on-Sea, a coastal gem renowned for its stunning beauty, is getting a vibrant upgrade at the turn into Kenton Road, our village’s main artery. This area, once a bit underwhelming, is being transformed into a breathtaking garden featuring rare Alexandria Cycads, thanks to the generosity of Ed Brotherton. Alongside this, we’re planning a new pathway from the main parking lot alongside the Methodist Church, and we’re thrilled to announce that Justin Wilmot, a cornerstone of our community, has agreed to take on the path construction. Today, as we celebrate Justin’s 60th birthday, we wish him a day as incredible as his contributions to our village—a birthday he truly deserves!
A Vision Takes Root
Our goal is to craft a striking garden with the critically endangered Alexandria Cycad (Encephalartos arenarius) as the centrepiece. With only 850–1,500 mature specimens left in the wild, these ancient plants will create a dramatic backdrop, showcasing Kenton’s commitment to preserving natural heritage. The new pathway will also make the area more accessible and inviting.
Clearing the Way
The project began with some serious groundwork. A massive thank you to Adrian Purdon and the Kenton Beautification Initiative for cutting back a giant Common Wild Fig (Ficus burkei) and Coastal Coral Tree (Erythrina afra) to allow truck and TLB access, and for removing a huge invasive Inkberry (Cestrum laevigatum). After the site was cleared of grass and weeds, our team dug holes to prepare for the arrival of the star attraction: the Alexandria Cycads.
The Great Cycad Transplant
Transplanting these rare cycads was a monumental task. These ancient, heavy, and spiky plants required many days of effort preparing them for the move. Thanks to Ed Brotherton and Alan Brotherton, who provided a TLB, truck, and their skilled crew, we headed to a farm near Alexandria to retrieve the cycads. Our team—Tove (my fearless wife), Jim Davies, Eric, and I—worked alongside Alan’s drivers and operators to carefully extract these beauties.
Despite the cycads’ prickly resistance, we successfully transported some of the finest Alexandria Cycads back to Kenton, with most roots intact and minimal damage. It was a crash course in handling these living fossils, and we’re proud of the result.
A Team Effort
This project is a true community triumph. Heartfelt thanks to:
- Adrian Purdon and the Kenton Beautification Initiative for labour, compost, tools, and logistical genius. Adrian’s planning kept us all on track.
- Ed Brotherton for donating these rare cycads, making this vision possible.
- Dale Cunningham and The Seagull Regatta for financial contributions.
- Alan Brotherton for his expertise and coordination on the farm.
- Jim Davies for digging in (and surviving a truck tumble—story for another day!).
- Vuyani and Welcome for their skillful TLB and truck work.
- Frans Kruger and his team for helping with off-loading and planting in Kenton.
- Justin Wilmot, who’s stepping up to build the new pathway. Happy 60th, Justin! Your dedication to Kenton deserves a celebration as grand as this milestone.
- And my wife, Tove, whose passion and resilience (despite the scratches!) are the heartbeat of this project.
A Bright Future for Kenton Road
With the cycads now rooted in their new home, the garden is shaping up to be a stunning tribute to Kenton’s beauty. Justin Wilmot’s upcoming work on the pathway will elevate this space into a welcoming gateway for all. We can’t wait to see it come together!
Follow Our Journey
Stay in the loop with this project and other African Legacy initiatives by following us on Facebook or Instagram. We’ll share updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and more from Kenton-on-Sea. Your support fuels our mission to make our town even more beautiful!
Slideshow: A Glimpse of the Journey
Thank you to everyone for helping us create a legacy for Kenton. Here’s to a garden that will inspire for generations!
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