“I Call My Garden the Garden of Wonder Because It Is Continually Changing”

On a Personal Level

Jane Khoza is a founder and a director of Koki’s Garden Industry, a gardening company. She is an ambitious woman who is passionate about what she does.

Despite being of Zulu origin, Mrs. Khoza knows more about Vatsonga people and their history. She calls herself a proudly Mutsonga. Jane fell in love with the Tsonga culture ever since she was married to the late Hendrick Khoza and moved to Bushbackridge, a Tsongas dominated area 40 years back. She is a skillful self-taught creative landscape designer and gardener. Jane believes that her creative talent is a gift from God.

Passion and Driving Force

Mrs. Khoza used to collect and preserve old objects that were of significant value. However, she never predicted back then that she would one day own a garden business in the future. Jane drew her inspiration from her supportive late husband. Who came up with the idea of turning their backyard into a garden after spending so much money on laborers and seeds without any yield due to infertile land. Since then, she quickly realized potential and a platform to showcase her creative talent, and then she never looked back.

Although the yard was not productive over the past years, Jane never took it as an excuse to give up on her passion. Instead, she certainly attempted to make sure everything she planted blossoms and gives her garden exquisite beauty.

“Every morning I dedicate about an hour or two to taking care of the garden. Which includes watering plants that need to be watered frequently. At some instances, I even talk to my plants, and believe me, it does wonders. Not only does it keep them happy, but it is therapeutic for me as well,” she connects.

Challenges and Breakthroughs

Upon the initial stage of establishing the garden, Jane’s husband started planting palm trees. Unfortunately, she lost her husband who was the mastermind of the great idea. Consequently, Mrs. Khoza felt she owed it to her husband to honor his spirit by turning the idea into a success.

She also encountered challenges such as criticism. Lack of interest and support from people. Scarcity of water supply in the area. As well as difficulties in marketing the business. Jane, as a woman who believed in the success of her vision, remained determined and resilient, refusing to let obstacles stand in her way.

“Many times, after finishing the garden, there were no bookings. I tried to invite people to come and pay us a visit and even offered them to use it for free. But still, there was no outcome,” she discloses.

Despite all the challenges faced along her business journey; with a combination of her talent, hard work, dedication, and passion, Mrs. Khoza managed to make her business a success. “My late husband always said, regardless of how dark it is, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. I also believe that with all the challenges I faced in starting the garden, eventually I will reap the rewards,” she shared.

On Business and Relevance

It’s funny how the business name Koki’s Garden came up. Koki is drawn from the Tsonga word “kokwana,” which, when translated to English, means grandparent. Jane’s grandchildren struggled to pronounce the Tsonga word correctly and said Koki. As a proud grandmother, Jane decided to title her business Koki’s Garden. The meaning behind her business name and the themes she uses in the garden correlate. As it all promotes the Tsonga culture.

Koki’s Garden is not just a beautiful place invented for relaxing only. It is designed to cater to services such as picnics, photoshoots, and hosting a variety of functions. You name it. Furthermore, the premises also offer guests amazing affordable accommodation. It is a unique place that connects different people to the Tsonga culture. Regardless of their races and cultures, the place offers them a sense of belonging.

Koki’s Garden also acts as an information agent that tells heartwarming in-depth stories about Tsonga people. Their history. And life struggles. In addition to that, the garden is also therapeutic, and taking a walk around the garden brings healing, love, joy, and peace. Hence, she calls it a Garden of Wonders.

Innovative Ideas and Future Goals

Mrs. Khoza always has many ideas that she tries out in her garden, and each and every new idea she applies always amazes her clients and puts a sparkle on her face. She always works magic with her hands and prefers surprising people with her breathtaking craftwork. “When we have a booking for a photoshoot, we always assure our clients to trust us and not guide us a lot,” she says.

When asked about her business’s future goals, Jane mentioned that her long-term dreams for Koki’s Garden are to host visitors from all over the world. Furthermore, she is looking forward to working with clients of different cultural backgrounds who will have an opportunity to learn and create memorable memories in her Garden of Wonders.

Advice to Others

Mrs. Khoza’s advice to others is that, “Never doubt your creativity. Don’t be afraid to start something new and different. In the beginning, people won’t understand, but if you remain true to yourself, eventually they will.”