M-Net’s riveting drama Desert Rose takes place in the glorious Namaqualand, a region rich in history, culture, flora, and fauna, and home to the famous Namaqualand daisies. Here’s more on this endemic plant that has added to South Africa's eye-catching sights and thriving tourism industry.
Namaqualand's heart
Namaqualand daisies are Nothern Cape's most popular flower. It goes by a variety of other names such as African daisy, gousblom, jakkalsblom, botterblom, namakwalandse, Cape marigold, sun marigold, and madeliefie. The most popular colours they bloom in are bright yellow and orange, but they bloom in other colours too, such as purple, white, pink, and blue. These flowers can survive harsh, dry desert conditions. They provide a food source to butterflies, bees, and other creatures that inhabit the desert, thus keeping the landscape of Namaqualand rich and thriving.
Photo credit: Getty images
Tourism
Many people who visit the Nothern Cape flock to view the Namaqualand daisies. This attraction draws close to 10 000 visitors per season, as they also get to enjoy the other sights of this magnificent place. The vast stretch of these gorgeous flowers runs about 800km, crossing several towns, offering tourists a worthwhile road trip that boasts a magical floral experience. The flowering season is quite short, taking place during August and September – so that is the best time to visit to view them.
Photo credit: Getty images
Symbolism
South African poet Ingrid Jonker wrote a poem called Madeliefies in Namakwaland. In the poem, she describes the daisies as representing peace and prosperity in a post-war-torn society.
Photo credit: Getty images
Here is the full poem, translated into English, for you to enjoy:
Daisies in Namaqualand
Why do we still listen
to the answers given by the daisies
to the wind to the sun
what has become of the little kokkewiets
Behind the closed forehead
where perhaps a twig still tumbles
from a drowned springtime
Behind my word killed in action
Behind our divided home
Behind the heart locked against itself
Behind wire fences, camps, locations
Behind the silence where foreign languages
fall like bells at a funeral
Behind our land torn apart
sits the green mantis of the veld
and dazed we still hear
small blue Namaqualand daisy
answering something, believing something, knowing something.
- Ingrid Jonker
Watch creator, writer, and producer Rohan Dickson talk about what's it like filming in the beautiful Namaqualand.
Have you visited the Namaqualand daisies? Share your photos with us using the hashtag #DesertRose. Drama with the Greylings keeps blooming on Desert Rose on Thursdays at 20:30 on M-Net 101.