Bonsai First Became Popular in South Africa in the 1960'S, Mainly Through the Efforts Of

Becky Lucas

Bonsai first became popular in South Africa in the 1960's, mainly through the efforts of Mrs. Becky Lucas of St. James, Cape Town, who had already been growing trees for some years.

Becky Lucas went to Japan in 1957. She studied bonsai under a master in Japan for two months at least once. I have some evidence of at least one more visit to Japan in 1972, but do not know if she studied then. The note this comes from suggests that it was a trip to visit old friends. Because of her travels, she had tremendous insight into the eastern (Japanese) culture and tried to apply this culture here.

When she returned to South Africa she practiced the art of bonsai and started to teach other people. Shortly the South African Bonsai Society was founded, with Becky as the main driving force. Meetings were held at her home in Boyes Drive in St James. True to the Japanese culture she was very disciplined in her approach to bonsai and expected the same from all the members. Members were expected to attend all meetings (there was trouble if you missed one) and never be late (one member says it was like being in the army). I am told that the meetings were quite something. Tea would always be served during or after these meetings.

Boyes Drive is just to the east and south of the Muizenberg Mountains, the southern end of the wide crecent of mountains south of Cape Town. This is at the base of the Cape<a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Peninsula">Cape Peninsula</a>, which holds <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_Mountain_National_Park">Table Mountain National Park</a> on the southwest corner of the Cape. The road rises up to about 30m above sea level, and the land beyond it rises quickly to 200m and then to 400m+. St. James, Western Cape, is a small village on the coast about halfway down Boyes Drive, overlooking False Bay to the east and south. St. James, between <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muizenberg”>Muizenberg</a> and <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalk_Bay">Kalk Bay</a>, is about a 25 minute (not rush hour) drive down from Cape Town.

Mrs. Lucas’ house was right at the top of Boyes Drive, across from the unspoiled mountainside. Wim tells me there were some expeditions into the mountain to scout for indigenous species that were suitable for bonsai. They observed these trees but, I am told, they did not dig.

She founded the South African Bonsai Society in 1960, and interest grew from then.

Becky was a very generous and hospitable person. Becky apparently never sold a tree; she would rather give it to you. Her house was always open to people wanting advice and assistance with trees. People who knew Becky say she was a dignified and gracious lady.

Becky was not one for half measures. She soon traveled through the country, teaching bonsai and establishing clubs as far as she went. Many clubs have Becky to thank for their existence.

The summer of 1967 saw a visit to Kyuzo Murata's Omiya, Japan nursery Kyuka-en by Mrs. Becky Lucas of South Africa. Her article about it was published in BCI's Bonsai Magazine the following March ("A Summer in Japan," Vol. VII, No. 3, pp. 8-9). Becky had some contact with the American bonsai people and might even have visited America.

In the Sept 1970 issue of BCI Bonsai Magazine, pg. 15, she is listed as President of the Capetown club.

Mrs. Lucas was taken ill in 1972 and had to give up her trees. These she presented to <a href=” http://www.sun.ac.za/”>Stellenbosch University</a>, where they can still be seen in the Arboretum (officially known <a href=” http://www0.sun.ac.za/botaniesetuin/index_eng.php?skakel=Tuis”>Hortus botanicus</a>), in a bonsai-en specially constructed for them.Wim Tijmans was curator at the time and had some trouble to explain the significance of this gift to the powers-that-be at the university, which included the head of the Department of Botany. An en had to be built in the 1.8 hectare <a href=” http://www0.sun.ac.za/botaniesetuin/index_eng.php?skakel=tuin”>botanical garden</a>. The Japanese consul in Cape Town performed the official handing over and the opening of the en. The Japanese women who attended were in traditional dress.

The Boland Bonsai Kai is situated in <a href=” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellenbosch”>Stellenbosch</a> (about 30 miles E of Cape Town and about as far NE of St. James) and its monthly meetings are held in the Botanical Garden of the university. The club members maintain the collection as there is no-one on the garden staff who has the knowledge. One of the members, Freda Mueller, looks after the trees for the Curator, Wim Tijmens, who is not a bonsai expert. The collection consists of some of the classic Japanese bonsai species, among them Japanese black pine and Acer palmatum, as well as some less traditional species. The "en" which includes the collection has recently (2010) been moved from a very shady place under the oaks to a more appropriate sunny area. The trees are now in much better shape and our members are slowly getting them back from the tall and lanky look they had acquired during the years of neglect in the shade. This move has been financed by donations from companies and foundations.

[In the Sept 1970 issue of BCI Bonsai Magazine, pg. 15: "South Africa reports problems which many will understand -- revolving around the merits of 'one strong society' with branches; versus a number of independent Bonsai groups by one name or another, usually made up of people like those of most arts, who do not agree on one or more phases of the art and the public image of the group... Reports of club activities indicate our Bonsai friends in Capetown are taking problems in stride and continue excellent programs."]

[In 1970 four members of the Bonsai Society, who were not satisfied with its "politics," broke away to form the Cape Bonsai Kai. On pg. 15 of the Feb. 71 issue of BCI's Bonsai Magazine, "Transvaal includes Braamfontein, Pretoria and Johannesburg in South Africa's Transvaal Province, not in Cape Province and not part of the Bonsai Society of South Africa headquartered in Cape Town..."

On pg. 15 of the April 71 issue of BCI's Bonsai Magazine, Robert Richards is listed as President (Chairman) of the Cape Kai.] ("The Cape Bonsai Kai" by Doreen Davis, Bonsai Journal, ABS, Vol. 12, No. 3, Fall 1978, pg. 59)

From: / Coenie <>
To: / <>
Subject: / RE: Becky Lucas Bonsai Trees in Stellenbosch
Date: / Thu, 9 Dec 2010 22:14:39 +0200
Robert
You may try Lionel Theron of Bishopsford Bonsai Nursery in Hout Bay, Cape
Town. Apparently he knew Becky and was member of the Bonsai Society of
South Africa.
The BSSA still exists, but is very low key and has very few, less than 5,
members. Cape Bonsai Kai, Oyama Bonsai Kai, Tygerberg Bonsai Kai,
Blaauwberg Bonsai Kai and Boland Bonsai Kai are the established clubs in the
Western Cape. A new club, Kat River has been founded in George about 400 km
from Cape Town.
Most belong to the South African Bonsai Association (SABA).
Regards
Coenie
-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:
Sent: 09 December 2010 19:28
To:
Subject: RE: Becky Lucas Bonsai Trees in Stellenbosch
Coenie,
Thank-you very much for the information.
The following is basically the little I've been able to gather up so far:
======
Becky Lucas
Bonsai first became popular in South Africa in the 1960's, mainly through
the efforts of Mrs. Becky Lucas of St. James, Cape Town, who had already
been growing trees for some years. She founded the South African Bonsai
Society in 1960, and interest grew from then.
The summer of 1967 saw a visit to Kyuzo Murata's Omiya, Japan nursery
Kyuka-en by Mrs. Becky Lucas of South Africa. (Lucas, Becky "A Summer in
Japan," Bonsai Magaine, BCI, Vol. VII, No. 3, March 1968, pp. 8-9)
In the Sept 1970 issue of BCI Bonsai Magazine, pg. 15, she is listed as
President of the Capetown club. (That same page notes: "South Africa
reports problems which many will understand -- revolving around the merits
of 'one strong society' with branches; versus a number of independent Bonsai
groups by one name or another, usually made up of people like those of most
arts, who do not agree on one or more phases of the art and the public image
of the group... Reports of club activities indicate our Bonsai friends in
Capetown are taking problems in stride and continue excellent programs.")
Mrs. Lucas was taken ill in 1972 and had to give up her trees, which she
presented to Stellenbosch University, where they can still be seen in the
Arboretum, in a bonsai-en specially constructed for them. One of our
members, Freda Mueller, looks after them for the Curator, Wim Tijmens, who
is not a bonsai expert.
[In 1970 four members of the Bonsai Society, who were not satisfied with its
"politics," broke away to form the Cape Bonsai Kai. On pg. 15 of the Feb.
71 issue of BCI's Bonsai Magazine, "Transvaal includes Braamfontein,
Pretoria and Johannesburg in South Africa's Transvaal Province, not in Cape
Province and not part of the Bonsai Society of South Africa headquartered in
Cape Town..."
On pg. 15 of the April 71 issue of BCI's Bonsai Magazine, Robert Richards
is listed as President (Chairman) of the Cape Kai.] ("The Cape Bonsai Kai"
by Doreen Davis, Bonsai Journal, ABS, Vol. 12, No. 3, Fall 1978, pg. 59)
======
I look forward to additional info and dates if possible from your various
contacts over the course of time. A photo(s) would be absolutely wonderful
for this long-term project. I will see about tracking down [something on]
Mr. Coetzee.
Thank-you again, and Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Cordially,
Robert J. Baran
Original Message:
------
From: Coenie
Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2010 21:36:21 +0200
To:
Subject: RE: Becky Lucas Bonsai Trees in Stellenbosch
Good day Robert
Attached is a piece I wrote for a regional association newsletter in 2003.
I was the most inappropriate person to write about Becky because I never
knew her, but I was prepared to try and therefore I was given the task.
I am presently chair (president if you would) of the Boland Bonsai Kai
situated in Stellenbosch. We have our monthly meetings in the Botanical
Garden of the university and our club members maintain the collection as
there is no-one on the garden staff who has the knowledge. I would prefer
to have a more structured approach and will be working towards that in the
next few months.
The "en" which includes the collection has recently been moved from a very
shady place under the oaks to a more appropriate sunny area. The trees are
now in much better shape and our members are slowly getting them back from
the tall and lanky look they had acquired during the years of neglect in the
shade. This move has been financed by donations from companies and
foundations.
I have given your details to the curator of the garden. He may be able to
give you some pictures.
I have also asked some of the senior bonsaiists in the Western Cape to send
you any information or contacts they may still be aware of. I believe Miss
Jean has died.
The documents I gained my information from belong to SABA, South African
Bonsai Association, the national body of which I was president at the time,
and had access to the documents. These are now with the present committee
in Gauteng.
Bernard Coetzee may be able to give more information, I believe he knew
Becky, but he now lives in Australia and I have no contact with him.
I wish you all the best in your research.
Regards
Coenie Brand
-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:
Sent: 05 December 2010 00:46
To:
Subject: Becky Lucas Bonsai Trees in Stellenbosch
Good day from Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.
I am interested in learning any information you might be able to provide
about Becky Lucas and her bonsai trees which were given to the Arboretum at
Stellenbosch University back in the 1970s.
Any assistance or further contacts would be most appreciated.
Cordially,
Robert J. Baran
Bonsai Researcher and Historian
http://www.phoenixbonsai.com/Days/Days.html et al

Personality: Becky Lucas

Being a member of the Boland Bonsai Kai, I am aware of the Becky Lucas collection at Stellenbosch University’s botanical garden, or as it is officially known Hortus botanicus. The Kai has been given the responsibility to maintain the collection. The collection consists of some of the classic Japanese bonsai species, among them Japanese black pines and acer palmatums, as well as some less traditional species.

When we had Wim Tijmans as a speaker during this year, he handed us some old bonsai literature and pots he had, some of which had belonged to Becky. This set my mind thinking. Who was this woman?

After speaking to some people I still only have small bits of information and therefore do not have much to write.

Becky Lucas went to Japan in 1957. I do not know whether this was her first trip. She studied bonsai under a master in Japan for two months at least once. I have some evidence of at least one more visit to Japan in 1972, but do not know if she studied then. The note this comes from suggests that it was a trip to visit old friends. Because of her travels, she had tremendous insight into the eastern (Japanese) culture and tried to apply this culture here.