Turning wild weeds into edible meals - Rewilding expert, Nikki Brighton, in Scottburgh for walk-and-talk fundraiser

Most people spend their time in the garden on a quest to desperately remove the never-ending supply of weeds. One rewilding activist and author is changing views on weeds by demonstrating how they can be used to make nutritionally rich meals. Nikki Brighton will be sharing her well-researched insights at the upcoming WildED walk-and-talk fundraiser, taking place on 8 and 9 May at the WildED Learning Hub at Crocworld Conservation Centre, Scottburgh.

Holly Altenburger, Head of WildED Africa Education, said guests at the fundraiser talk would get the opportunity to learn about Nikki’s immersive experiences of finding and tasting weeds in gardens and public spaces: “I’m so excited for this learning opportunity with Nikki Brighton. Her books have taught me that our common weeds – that we usually despise – can actually be picked and used to make the most delicious dishes; not to mention the nutrients that they offer us too. This is an incredibly enlightening walk and talk, and we encourage people to book early as spaces are limited!”

Growing up in Pietermaritzburg, Nikki would often be found spending time outdoors, growing vegetables and creating indigenous gardens – the start of a trend that would evolve into her modern way of life. Rather than growing, Nikki has discovered how to live locally, foraging for food with a focus on rewilding the environment instead of taming it.

Her unique practice of identifying wild food and edible weeds is better for the environment, as well as human health. And it was during lockdown, when movement was limited and health in the spotlight, that Nikki’s rewilding techniques garnered much attention via social media.

She has since hosted numerous talks, including at the Karoo Food Festival, featured on podcasts and publications such as Grow to Eat, Getaway, Daily Maverick, Garden and Home, The Gardener, Food and Home, and more. She was also listed in the Mail & Guardian 2021 Power of Women.

From her base in Howick in the KZN Midlands, Nikki continues to positively impact communities around her, hosting long table lunches, helping establish the Mpophomeni Conservation Group, and leading the Midlands Slow Food Community. Through this, she helps manage the local REKO farmers’ market and Midlands Barter Markets that connect farmers and customers directly.

Nikki has also authored 3 books:

• Mnandi: A Taste of Mpophomeni. A colourful recipe book that celebrates the cooks and gardeners of Mpophomeni township in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, including commonly eaten imifino (wild greens).

• Wild About Weeds: An Introduction to Uncultivated Food. A guide to common edible weeds and uncultivated foods found in South Africa. 

• Edible Weeds: Identify Uncultivated Food. A pocket-sized reference book for walks,  encouraging you to nibble as you go.

Plant Abundance Walk-and-Talk Fundraiser

1.       Rewild Your Life Talk

Date: Thursday, 8 May

Time: 5pm

Venue: WildED Learner Hub, Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh

Cost: R150pp (snacks included)

Rewilding is about letting nature take care of itself, enabling natural processes, repairing damaged ecosystems and restoring degraded landscapes. Nikki believes in the need to start looking at other places to find wildness – to allow the natural rhythms of our world to create wilder, more biodiverse habitats. In addition to rewilding, Nikki will touch on edible weeds – what they are and where to find them.

2.       Foraging Walk

Date, Friday 9 May

Time: 8.30am

Venue: WildED Learner Hub, Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh

Cost: R300pp

There is free food growing in the cracks in pavements, along the verges outside suburban homes, on street corners and unkempt edges in parking lots. Once you start looking, it’s astonishing how much nutrient-dense food is available all around us. During Nikki’s workshop, visitors learn to identify uncultivated food (aka weeds) and surprise their palate while foraging.

For more information or to book, contact info@wilded.co.za. Keep updated on all upcoming WildED Africa events by following @wilded_africa on Instagram