A memorial service was held for Friends of Arderne Gardens (FOTAG) committee member Hank Lith, at the gardens he loved and cherished.
The service, last Thursday, celebrated the life and legacy of Mr Lith who died of a heart attack on New Year’s Day while on holiday in Gauteng. He was visiting a garden at the time of his death.
Mr Lith was born on March 28 1939 in Johannesburg. He attended Durban High School where he developed a talent for swimming. He studied for a B.Com and then law at Stellenbosch University before attending Oxford University to read politics and economics.
In 1965, he returned to South Africa and worked as a personal assistant to Harry Oppenheimer before deciding to enrol at Pretoria University to study landscape architecture. In Pretoria, he met his life partner, Rod Clayton, and their relationship spanned close to 49 years.
Once qualified, Mr Lith worked at various places including Transvaal Nature Conservation, Sandton Municipality and the City of Cape Town. He was the trustee for Vergelegen Estate.
In 2014, he took Arderne Gardens under his wing and joined FOTAG. He launched the Renaissance Project, which included clearing the undergrowth, creating more lawns, tree planting, improved irrigation, creation of the wetland and the pond refurbishment.
Speaking at the ceremony, FOTAG patron Andrew Ovenstone said: “Today we are gathered at one of Hank’s favourite places, a place he loved and held dear to celebrate him. His handiwork can be seen across the city from the thousands of trees he planted while working for the City, to gardens across the city, his work at Arderne and Vergelegen. We loved Hank.”
Gardening friend Athol McLaggan spoke of his relationship with Rod, saying: “Theirs is a story that spans nearly 49 years and up until the end, Rod was there. We salute Hank and Rod and the love they shared.”
In a newsletter, FOTAG chairman Francois Krige said: “Hank was for many years the determined driving force behind much of the improvements in the garden at Arderne. He was always quiet and focused. Every committee member has fond memories of him and how he touched our hearts and lives in the course of creating his gift to all of the people of Cape Town who visited the Arderne.
“Hank has left us with a garden and arboretum that is surely the best legacy that a person can leave. We will continue with this work, maintaining the garden and improving where necessary and preserving this gem for the future. We mourn and celebrate him, we will miss him and cherish him.”
