Growing Together

Last month, I wrote about the burden of being a pioneer in a profession that is still finding its place across much of Africa. This month, that thought stayed with me as I read Graham Young's May article on the late Sheikh Abdoulaye Dièye of Senegal, the first president of IFLA Africa.

A few years ago, I spent time researching the history of landscape architecture in Nigeria, tracing how the profession first took root. One thing became abundantly clear: professions are often built on the shoulders of a handful of committed individuals. People who choose to advocate, organise, teach, and persist, often with very little recognition. Without their conviction and selfless commitment, many professions would simply fade away before they ever had the chance to grow.

Sheikh Abdoulaye Dièye was one of those people. Although he is sadly no longer with us, his work laid the foundations for landscape architecture in Senegal, and his legacy serves as an inspiration to us all. My hope is that more landscape architects in Senegal, and indeed across West Africa, will continue the important work he began and build upon the foundations he established.

This is also at the heart of IFLA Africa's mission. One of our long-term goals is to see thriving national associations in all 54 African countries. While we have made encouraging progress over the years, our attention is increasingly turning towards West Africa, where there remains enormous potential for the profession to grow. We know that establishing a national association takes courage, perseverance, and people willing to carry that pioneering burden. If you are practising in a country where one does not yet exist, perhaps this is your invitation to help shape the future of landscape architecture in your country.

In this month's newsletter, our Education and Academic Affairs Chair reflects on the future of landscape architecture education in Africa and challenges us to think about how we prepare the next generation of professionals. We also travel to Brazil with Thozama as she shares her admiration for the work of the legendary Roberto Burle Marx and the inspiration his landscapes continue to offer.

As we close out June, I will also be at the Collision in West Africa: Encountering Climate Change on the Gulf of Guinea press conference this Saturday, 27 June . If you're interested in following the conversations, be sure to follow IFLA Africa on Instagram for live updates.

As always, thank you for being part of this growing community. Whether you are leading an association, mentoring students, documenting history, or simply practising, you are helping write the story of landscape architecture in Africa. The burden may be heavy at times, but it becomes much lighter when we carry it together.

Happy reading.

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