Boland Bonsai Kai was founded at the beginning of 1992 and had its first meeting at the end of January of that year. The founding members were Glen Barkhuizen, Hendrik and Helen Visser, Karen Jacobs and Deon Arangies, supported by the late Wim Tijmens, who was an honorary member of the club ever since. Winfried Lüdemann was also present at that first meeting and is the only member who is still active in the club. The first chair was Glen Barkhuizen, of whom a number of trees are currently in the bonsai collection of Stellenbosch University’s botanical garden. He was succeeded by Hendrik Visser and then by Deon Arangies. Our monthly newsletter, the Literati, came into its own right from the outset, when it was still distributed by hand at our monthly meetings. (Those were the days before the internet and social media.) After Glen, Hendrik and Deon, the position of chair was occupied in more or less chronological order by the following members: Karen Jacobs, Andri Scheltema, Marianna Smith, Riaan Smit, Coenie Brandt, Fritz Joubert, Willem Pretorius, Jannie Hougaard and Henk van Graan. Winfried Lüdemann was chair from 2020 until 2024 and is now succeeded by Tammy de Kock.

Initially the meetings were held at the home of Hendrik and Helen Visser, subsequently at Blaauwklippen wine estate, at the house of Colin Welch and then for many years in the Botanical Garden at Stellenbosch University, where our members also became involved to an ever increasing extent with the care and development of the Garden’s bonsai trees, which then became known as the The Western Cape Bonsai Heritage Collection. Our members Fritz Joubert and Willem Pretorius were involved in the development of this project in a decisive manner. Now the club has its monthly meetings on the last Saturday of every month in the hall of the Lutheran church, in addition to monthly workshops at the homes of two of its club members.

Boland Bonsai Kai had its first show in 1993. It was held in the courtyard of the Stellenbosch Village Museum, which has now become part of the restaurant De Warenmarkt. The show was linked to the annual Stellenbosch Festival at the end of September. The latter festival came to an end when the Stellenbosch Woordfees was established. Our annual show was held at this venue and month for several years, until we decided to move the event to late November. This was done to allow our trees to be in a better state of readiness for display at a later stage in the growing season. Show venues we used subsequently included the Hofmeyr Saal, PJ Olivier Centre, the concert hall of the Old Conservatorium, the studio of the Botanical Garden (now part of the restaurant), the open area of the Botanical Garden, the Landbousaal, Fiore Garden Centre in Somerset West and the Rupert Museum. Our last show (2024) was held in conjunction with the African Bonsai Convention (ABC6) in the Stellenbosch Town Hall. Bonsai growers from all over the country joined in this show, which was arguably the largest and most spectacular bonsai show to have been presented in South Africa to date. More than 200 high quality trees were on display over a three day period.

Boland Bonsai Kai has become a participant in the activities of the Cape Regional Association of Bonsai (CRAB) and takes part in the annual bonsai festival in the Company Gardens, Cape Town. Our members have participated in that event’s competition for new talent with much success and our trees have been displayed there to much acclaim. 

Over the last 33 years the club has grown from humble beginnings to one of the leading clubs in the Western Cape. Membership has increased from the initial six or seven persons to approximately 30, while the quality of our trees has improved from beginner’s standard to specimens that can hold their own in the company of trees anywhere in the region.

Bonsai has become a widely recognised art form in South Africa. Together with many other bonsai growers in the country, members of Boland Bonsai Kai have participated in the indigenisation of the art form. This trend will help to keep our art relevant and attract new members who will ensure that our club goes from strength to strength.