From the Editor's Desk
As the year draws to a close, December invites us to pause, look back, and take stock. For IFLA Africa, this has been a year of movement, growth, and collective effort.
A Year of Collective Growth; For IFLA Africa, 2025 has been a year of momentum. From our gathering in Pretoria to the expansion of our community through new national associations and strategic MOUs, we have seen the power of collaboration. We celebrated the brilliance of our professionals and students alike, affirming that the talent shaping African landscapes is deeper than ever.
Stewards of the Land; Our work continues to ripple beyond drawings and into the realms of policy, memory, and climate action. We remain committed to centering African priorities through the African Journal of Landscape Architecture and the African Landscape Network, ensuring our voices lead the conversation on resilient, people-centered futures.
A Seasonal Gift; As we transition into a period of rest, we invite you to enjoy this year's seasonal greeting card, contributed by Marike Franklin. It stands as a tribute to the landscapes we serve and the community we have built together.
Looking Ahead; Thank you to every member and volunteer who forms the backbone of IFLA Africa. May your holidays be filled with reflection, and may the new year find us ready to keep shaping the continent with boldness and care.
Tobiloba Akibo
from the President's Desk
Updates
IFLA Africa Greeting Card
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This year's greeting card entry by Marike Franklin, builds on last years winning entry.
In Marike's words,
"Last year, IFLA Africa’s logo was reinterpreted as a woven basket. The hatching was derived from Africa’s five regions - North, East, West, South and Central Africa. Points where the hatch lines intersect represented Africans living abroad and non-Africans residing in Africa, while intersections closer to the centre symbolised Africans living in other African countries. From the circle, 54 lines radiated outward, each ending in a ‘Christmas ball’ carrying the flag of a member country. Together, these elements formed a star representing unity, hope and shared aspirations, celebrating diversity and a collective future.
This year, the greeting builds on that collective spirit. The weave and the star remain, now transformed through a kaleidoscope effect. The shifting patterns reflect many hands working together towards the same goal, coming into alignment in moments of clarity and celebration. The design offers a festive expression of hope, connection and continuity, looking ahead to a shared and collaborative future."
Marike Franklin is a registered Landscape Architect (SACLAP) with a master's degree in landscape architecture from the University of Pretoria (2015). Her dissertation, Wupperthal: The Preservation of Absence , examined the complexities of development and conservation in the historic town of Wupperthal. Since joining the Cape Winelands Professional Practices in Association (CWPPA) in 2017, she contributed to compiling a heritage inventory for the Stellenbosch Municipality. Marike is an expert member of the ICOMOS-IFLA Scientific Committee for Cultural Landscapes. She and her husband co-founded Franklin Photography, where she uses photography as a tool to explore landscape architecture. She was also part of the core team that developed the African Landscape Network (ALN), a collaborative online mapping platform.
A Legacy of African Landscapes
We are excited to announce the release of A Legacy of African Landscapes: Reflections from the African Journal of Landscape Architecture, edited by Bernard Oberholzer and Graham A. Young.
This important publication brings together extracts from the African Journal of Landscape Architecture (AJLA), offering a rich collection of perspectives and projects from across the continent. The volume highlights the diverse ways in which landscape architecture is practiced in Africa—illuminating regional nuances, cultural contexts, environmental challenges, and innovative design approaches shaping the discipline today.
As Gareth Doherty, Associate Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Design, notes:
“The editors … have done a tremendous service to the field by providing a platform for writing about African landscapes and making texts openly accessible as a resource for designing, teaching and learning about African landscapes.”
• Post-Conference Rate: R350.00 (US$25.00)
This is an essential addition to every landscape architect’s library and a valuable resource for anyone passionate about Africa’s landscapes and the future of the profession.
