Centre for Conservation Education

04/09/2026

And so we come to the end of another week at school in the year 1845 in Wynberg, Cape Town.

04/09/2026

Our visiting school group this morning is International School of Cape Town.

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

From slave to farm owner: Anna de Koningh

Anna de Koningh, the daughter of Angela of Bengal (1638–1720), was born into bo***ge around 1656 in Batavia. In 1666, Angela and her three children were set free by their owner, Abraham Gabbema.

In 1677, Anna married Olof Bergh, who was employed by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Together, they had eleven children and owned several properties. From 1714, Olof and Anna farmed at Groot Constantia. When Olof died in 1721, Anna inherited the estate, becoming the first female owner of Groot Constantia.

Anna continued to live an influential and respectable life until her death in 1734. Her portrait symbolises her high standing in Cape colonial society.

Step back in time and discover her legacy in person.

📍 Plan your visit to the Iziko Groot Constantia Manor House Museum: https://www.iziko.org.za/

📸 Image courtesy of the Cape Town Archives Repository (CAR)

28/08/2026

Celebrating 50 Years of the Mitchell’s Plain Community + Growing the Future

This year Mitchell’s Plain celebrates 50 years since the first residents moved into the community in 1976. As part of these 50th anniversary celebrations, Centre for Conservation Education with the support of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE) is proud to link this milestone with Arbor Week 2026 by giving back to the schools that grow our children.

As part of Arbor Week and our community’s 50-year celebration, we are donating indigenous and fruit trees to schools in Mitchell’s Plain. The goal is to help schools create greener learning spaces, teach environmental care, and leave a living legacy for the next 50 years of Mitchell’s Plain.

28/08/2026

Celebrating Arbor Week in the Arderne Gardens.

The following schools will be joining us next week: Ridgeville PS, Goodhope Seminary Junior School, Homeschool Group, Oakhurst Girls' Primary, and International School of Cape Town.

Teaching Aspects Linked to CAPS Curriculum
Foundation Phase (Gr 1-3) - Life Skills:

Plants and our senses: touch and smell the Moreton Bay Fig roots, Camphor tree leaves, waterlilies in ponds.
Backyard safari: Observe ducks, khoi fish, squirrels, guinea fowl - food chains.

Intermediate Phase (Gr 4-6) - Natural Sciences & Social Sciences:
Plant Kingdoms & Habitats: Compare exotic vs indigenous trees - Arderne Gardens focus on exotics, identify origins of trees: Norfolk Island, Australia, China, Mediterranean Champion Trees: 6 Champion Trees - Why should we protect old trees? Age, biodiversity and heritage

History (Grade 5): In 1845 the garden was establishment by Ralph Arderne.

27/08/2026

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

Our first flowers in the Fynbos Garden. We are so excited.