UPROOTED: The tree-loving Georgian billionaire, the Pretoria landscaper and the SA baobab export row
South Africa’s baobab export row deepens as five trees languish in Durban, a landscaper faces charges and links emerge to a billionaire tree collector in Georgia.
An international controversy has erupted over the export of five baobab trees from South Africa to Georgia. The trees, belonging to landscape entrepreneur Corné Maré, were intercepted at a Durban port in July, allegedly without proper permits. Maré's company, Divine Landscapes, specializes in exporting large baobabs but has now been charged with several criminal offenses.
Despite Maré's claims that the trees were legally obtained from private gardens, their fate remains uncertain. The trees were initially meant for Georgia's Shekvetili Dendrological Park, owned by billionaire and former Georgian PM Bidzina Ivanishvili. However, the trees died shortly after arrival, leading to speculation about a replacement plan.
Georgian authorities have clammed up on the matter, raising questions about the true destination of the South African baobabs.
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