- July 27, 2026
Fairway Orchid and Rare Plant Fair takes place in Durban North. Thirteen years on the event founded by Melanie Van Greunen is still going strong. The Fair was created to fulfil the city’s need for an outdoor market dedicated to the local flora. The fair invites local plant enthusiasts, gardeners and their families who are looking for a relaxing day out. The annual Fairway Orchid and Rare Plant fair at Fairway in Durban North begins on Saturday, on the 1st August 2026.
With its 13th Anniversary, the fair has become a much-enjoyed event on the local gardening calendar, attracting visitors from across Durban Metro, KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of the nation. Van Greunen said the event was created because the city needed a plant fair, and it has continued to grow each year.
“When we started about 13 years ago, Durban needed something like this. Over the years it’s grown into the Fairway Orchid and Rare Plant Fair, and we’ve introduced a wide range of exotic plants. It’s become quite a highlight for plant lovers,” she said.
Customers can browse an extensive selection of plants, including orchids, cycads, Venus flytraps, cacti and South African bulbs, while a variety of vendors will showcase their collections and garden-related products.
The fair is an opportunity to provide greenery to the municipality and raise awareness about the value of flora and the plant kingdom in bringing beauty and plant scenery to Durban’s grey areas. The Fair will shed a light over Durban metro and municipal region’s dull aspects. The event is open to everyone far and wide, bringing South Africans of all walks of life together over a passion for nature and the beauty of plants. Fairway Orchid and the Rare Plant Fair is at the heart of bringing the environment to eThekwini residents and being an educational platform for those interested in botany and gardening.
The Durban North Plant Fair is a great opportunity for those interested in the scent of flowers or prefer experiencing the fresh air plants in general bring to come and buy a pot plant of their own. This is provided they are able to look after them, by providing them with the necessary amount of water and food. It is also convenient to grow plants from scratch, by purchasing seeds from the fair.
Trading hours 09h00:16h00, Adults and those above twelve pay thirty Rand while minors under twelve are free. The Fair is hosting two potting demonstrations that will take place at 11:30 and 13:00 respectively by the Natal Orchid Society. Locations will be at Fairway Guesthouse, Durban North; Plantae Orchids, Brits, North West; the Red Roman Shed, Emperor’s Palace.
Also taking place in Durban is the International Plastic Modellers’ Society (IPMS), is the ongoing annual Modelcon Exhibition in Westville, a different kind of hobby event which showcases all forms of vehicles, planes and buildings in miniature. Glen Anil resident Eric Prinsloo, expresses his passion and hobby for models, which he plans to share at the exhibition at the German Club in Westville that started on July 25 2026.
Prinsloo’s interest was reignited while studying and working in Johannesburg after he attended an air show at Waterkloof Air Base and discovered an IPMS display of intricately built aircraft models. “I was hooked,” he said, adding that he soon joined the IPMS Johannesburg branch and has been building models ever since. For Prinsloo, scale modelling offers both a creative outlet and a rewarding challenge.
Prinsloo believes the hobby teaches patience, perseverance, and focus. The enthusiast described designing the miniature models as a “zen-like pursuit” that allows people to relax while focusing on steadily placing their efforts towards a finished project. Over the years, the Glen Anil resident has accomplished winning numerous awards at national modelling competitions but says the greatest reward is learning from his fellow enthusiasts and being inspired by their own work.
This year’s Modelcon will feature displays from clubs and individual builders across Durban, the north and south coasts, with motorcycles, civilian and military vehicles, aircraft, ships, and detailed dioramas being showcased.
The event runs on week days from 09h00PM and ends at 04h00 PM, entry fees cost about R10. Donations will go to Proudly supporting Lost Souls Animal Rescue KZN.
Events such as Fairway Orchid and the IPMS endorse Durban’s potential as a cultural hub of both nature and manmade craft. The city is a pillar of progressive skills in both gardening and the development of hobbies such as the plastic Modellers’ development that inspire the younger generation.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
