JOHN F Kennedy’s famous words, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” remain as relevant today as they were decades ago.
They speak to citizenship, service, and the belief that meaningful change often begins with one person deciding to act.
While South Africa remains mired in shock at the ongoing revelations before the Madlanga Commission unravelling corruption and greed, the 1860 Heritage Centre in Derby Street, Durban, echoes that Kennedy-type spirit, which has found expression in the work of the unassuming and unheralded Kaveri Reddy.
In early December 2025, while attending an event at the centre, Kaveri walked through the grounds and noticed something many others may have seen but chosen to overlook. A neglected garden stood as a symbol of decline. Scattered pipes, stagnant water, overgrown vegetation, and a general sense of neglect had stripped the space of the dignity befitting a site dedicated to preserving the history of South Africa’s indentured labourers and passengers.
She could have walked away. Instead, she chose to become part of the solution. Drawing on her passion for gardening, particularly indigenous gardening, Kaveri approached the leadership of the centre and volunteered her services.
What began as a simple act of stewardship quickly evolved into a transformative vision. She envisaged a living heritage space that would not only beautify the grounds but also tell the story of those who arrived on South African shores from 1860 onwards.
With the support of Nirode Bramdaw, a board member of the 1860 Heritage Centre, and the backing of an increasingly enthusiastic community, that vision is steadily becoming reality.
Today, what was once derelict is becoming dignified.
The project is being developed in phases.
One section celebrates the indigenous flora that early arrivals would have encountered when they first stepped onto South African soil. Another section recreates a heritage garden showcasing plants, herbs, and crops brought by indentured labourers and passengers from India, reflecting the agricultural knowledge, culinary traditions, and cultural practices that continue to shape South African society today.
But this project is about far more than plants. It is about memory. It is about honour. It is about restoring a sense of dignity to a place that serves as a custodian of an important chapter in South African history. More than these, it is about one person showing courage to make a difference – and till the soil with her little hands.
At the heart of the Heritage Garden will stand a circular grove of moringa trees forming a shaded gathering space symbolising resilience and community. A central fountain will represent the great ocean crossing undertaken by thousands of indentured labourers. Benches surrounding the fountain will create a contemplative space where visitors can reflect on sacrifice, endurance, and hope.
Traditional grinding stones donated by community members will surround this focal point, ensuring that everyday objects once used in homes become part of a collective heritage installation. Nearby, a mural dedicated to the women of indenture will give recognition to generations of women whose labour, strength, and perseverance laid the foundations of family and cultural life, often without acknowledgement.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the project is that it has not been driven by institutional funding or grand budgets. It has been fuelled by volunteerism, generosity, and a shared belief that heritage matters.
Every flower planted, every bed restored, every seed sown represents an act of service.
Kaveri herself captures this spirit perfectly when she says: “This garden is growing because people care. Every plant that goes into the ground carries a sense of contribution.”
The public response has been overwhelming. Friends, community members, heritage activists, and visitors have praised both the physical transformation and the vision behind it. They have spoken of her dedication, her “golden touch,” her passion, and her unwavering commitment to preserving heritage for future generations.
Former Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo perhaps summed it up best when he noted that Kaveri had undertaken this work “in her own time and at her own cost,” transforming the grounds into a serene and welcoming environment for all who visit.
That is the essence of active citizenship. Too often, we wait for governments, organisations, or someone else to solve problems. We ask why spaces have deteriorated, why heritage sites struggle, or why communities seem disconnected. Yet genuine change frequently begins with an individual willing to step forward and take responsibility.
Kaveri did not wait for permission to care. She cared enough to act. In doing so, she has reminded us that preserving our heritage is not solely the responsibility of institutions. It belongs to all of us. Every generation inherits the duty to protect, nurture, and pass forward the stories that define who we are.
The emerging 1860 Heritage Garden is therefore much more than a landscaping project. It is a living lesson in community service, heritage preservation, and collective responsibility. It is proof that one person’s vision can inspire an entire community to participate in something meaningful.
As marigolds bloom where weeds once grew and new life replaces neglect, the garden stands as a powerful metaphor for what can happen when individuals choose action over apathy.
Kaveri’s work reminds us that heritage is not preserved by monuments alone. It is preserved by people. And perhaps that is the greatest lesson of all.
Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do to make a difference.
The 1860 Heritage Garden is growing because one woman answered that question. Her name is Kaveri Reddy – aka Greenfingers.
@Higher Education Media Services