Meeting Margaret Roberts at the Herbal Centre.

A good question to start with, because it seems there are a global collection of famous ladies with the name Margaret Roberts.

Clever, dynamic and changing lives and circumstances, seem to be a life mission of these name bearers. We willhave a look at who they are.

Margaret Thatcher, needs no introduction. She was born as Margaret Hilda Roberts.

Margaret Jean Roberts, also known as Margherita Roberti, famous opera singer.

Margaret M. Roberts, well known landscape painter from Wilt-shire.

Dr. Margaret Roberts from Oak Lawn, Illinois, physical practitioner, and dedicated to rehabilitation.

Margaret D. Roberts, from New York, the senior vice president and chief human resources officer of Caver bairn.

We also find Margaret Roberts, the avid freelance journalist, very busy and prominent in reporting and interviews.

Just for interest sake, we have the famous doll, Babie. Her fictional mother's name was also Margaret Roberts.

Then, in South Africa, we have our very own Margaret Roberts, an iconic lady ever teaching and setting an living example. Well known and already a household name, this woman has one of the top ten herbal centres, built over a period of 26 years.

For the past 35 years she has made herbs part of life in South Africa. Unique ranges for chain stores, had been developed by her, from toiletries, textiles, stationary, kitchenware and gifts.

Spending time with Margaret reveals a kind, soft personality, readily available for anyone who require her attention. She has perfected multitasking, whilst empowering so many people whom has touched her via her lectures, books, dvds and seminars.

She is a rich source of information on health, longevity, healing naturally. She show how to use natural foods, natural treatments and natural insecticides.

We will visit her herbal centre and enjoy the fruit of her labour, she so willingly shares.

Deep in the Magalies mountain in North West, South Africa, exists an extraordinary farm. It is a place created by a very talented and clever woman. She has made it her life's mission to live a practical, clean and pure life, as intended by Mother nature. Being an example, she furthermore advocated this lifestyle with a passion an dedication rare to find.

She toiled for years to created, teach and write about her passion of life. On Wednesday's, she has an open day in her paradise, for the public to come see, learn and enjoy.

Her artistic nature and talents are shared by her daughter, Sandy. Together they have hand made the fairy gallery, created a wonderland of a fairy town, worked out a platform for spiritual healing and reflection in all possible areas. I will take you by the hand and show you this sanctuary.

In the golden days of long ago, the people lived at a slower pace. They had time to enjoy the gifts of nature and share knowledge verbally from generation to generation. In those days they made their own potpourri, and used the method of distilling to extract oils for use in cosmetics.

Almost every home had an apothecary for this purpose, and Margaret has recently added one on her farm. Most probably this is the only existing Apothecary in Africa, but only used as a showroom.

The old recipes are still used on the farm, and the products in the shop is based on those ingredients and recipies.

In front of the Apothecary, is a freestanding round foot piece, with a cement vase on top. It looks like ordinary garden ornamentation, until you take a closer look. A Bronze plate explain the existence of this " monument". On it is written:

"The Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre Seed Bank

Within this small vault are the precious seeds of South Africa's food plants and medicinal plants. A legacy of hope, a green heritage, held here for twenty years, safe from the storms of life.

The seed bank will be re-opened in May 2025, and the seeds will be planted, thus continuing, we hope, the promise of health and prosperity in this great land of ours.

14 May 2005."

Margaret's igniting imagination adds to her super mind and knowledgeable exact database of intelligence. Her fine balance between the right and left hemispheres of her brain, is what attracts people. One of her talents is making dolls. This passion is shared by her daughter, Sandy. Mother and daughter made delicate porcelain dolls and with it, created a fairy paradise, where young and old can get lost in.

Since 1982 they started exhibitions, and finally the fairies are in their home now. They are now behind walls of glass, and no pictures are allowed to be taken in the room. Different settings depict the rain fairies, the cloud fairies, the moon fairies, etc. A small entrance fee gets donated to the local hospice, giving the fairies a wonderful purpose in life.

Sleeping fairies can be ordered, and then only obtained with an adoption certificate.

A whole fairy garden was designed with little houses and mushroom statues. Each home was designed around an indigenous plant, like the Arum Lily house and the Pigs Ear Cotyledon.

Leaving the fairy home, and passing the elve and the pergola you reach the chapel. A non-denominational setting next to a free standing bell. In front of the chapel is a water feature with a close by acacia and a iron bench. Tranquility and peace and harmony meets the visitor, even before he come close to the front door.

Once inside, such a feeling of peace and calm fill the human mind, you wish to stay forever. Soft soothing music play whilst the sun play in the colours of the window Sandy has made on her own. Cherubims hangs on both sides to guard over the visitor, reading the prayers painted on the wall. Most of them are prayers written by Margaret, for animals. A recent publication of a book can now be obtained, with the prayers.

There she also tells how she came about praying for animals in specific, a virtue her grandma has tought her as a little girl.

A neatly paved walkway lead the wanderer past the chapel towards the labyrinth and the rose garden.

.On the way exist an arched covered walkway to the nursery, where a variety of indiginous plants can be bought.

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On the photograph below, the objective of the labyrinth can be seen. Margaret has decided it will be a good addition to the tranquility of the farm, and created one for the visitors to use and enjoy.

 In summertime the gazebo is a a rich source of heavenly aromas. Sitting in the shade of the enclosure, the visual stimulation of all the colour reflecting from the roses and lavender bushes, will make the senses cringe with ultimate pleasure.

A whole day can get lost, as the soul drinks the healing energy of the surroundings. For the less dreamy visitors, a challenge on the life size chess board can be fought out with another bored contestant.

 Who said a sandpit is only for toddlers? The zen culture has long since understood the calming effect of working with soil. At the herbal center, you have the opportunity to re-arange the zen garden, while meditating on sweet nothingness.

In the background of the picture, you can also see the pipe organ. A lot of fun for the kids, or if you want to try and compose a melody yourself, the trees and birds are a patient audience!

 A surprise fairy town were built, underneath the shade of the big old trees. Each miniature house was designed around a  indigenous plant. You will find a Arum lily house, the pigs ear cotyledon and the likes. Certainly a delight for young and old to wander the miniature streets between these buildings.

Next to the fairy town, the most amazing enclosure demands the attention. Entering the stone built enclave, you are transported to a world where stories are born.

 The smell of a forest invites you to a world filled with giant mountain ferns, over-shadowing seats for the visitor. Different species of ferns are planted everywhere, and even hang from the stone walls.

The silver sound of running water comes from the various water features. Sitting next to one will keep you enchanted, whilst staring at the ripples on the water surfaces, as the drops keep splashing to the bottom.

 Though Margaret's peers are long ago retired, this golden girl do not know how to stop.

She has her own lecture room, and regular seminars, exibitions and workshops are presented by her. Next to the lecture room is another gallery with beautiful hand made porcelain angels.

Anytime during your visit, the tea garden is open. Freshly made herb bread, flower salads, cheese and herb quiches are part of a mouthwatering menu. Herb infused delicate drinks can quench the mightiest thirst. No person will forgive himself if not taking a bite of the geranium scones, my personal favourite. I promise, it came straight from heaven! This can all be enjoyed in the shade of the jasmine canopy covering the tea garden.

 Against the northern slopes of the  the great Magaliesberg mountain, between Pretoria and Brits, you will find the Herbal Centre.

Travelling from Pretoria on the old road to Brits, called the Brits road, or R513, you will find after approximately 20 kilometers, a big sign board on the left side of the road, underneath enormous trees.

In the intro of the video, the sign is filmed. It is clearly visible. Follow the farm road, until reaching the Herbal Centre.

All photos and video material was taken by my son, Andre,   whom I dearly apreciate.