Rudi first started bonsai in spring 1970, with a group of  enthusiasts that went to the first show of the Cape Bonsai Kai at Kirstenbosch.

His first tutor was the late Bernard Coetzee, founder of most Cape based clubs.

It was tough to learn in those days, since books were a rare commodity, but after saving some money the Cape Bonsai Kai was the first club to import the well known bonsai master John Naka.  His enthusiasm and wide range knowledge of bonsai as well as tree species catapulted us to the forefront of the art, outside of the Japanese community.

Rudi’s visit to the first World Bonsai Convention in Japan (1989) and his travels through this lovely  country, made it possible for him to understand the history and thoughts behind the art of bonsai, martial arts, ikebana, suiseki and other Japanese art form practiced. It is one thing to see pictures in books, but quite another to see the real thing.

To compare the different schools within bonsai Patricia and Rudi have also travelled to Europe, Hong Kong, Taiwan and over most of Mainland China, viewing bonsai, gardens, and cultural events. (1994) These are experiences Rudi recommends to everyone.

Bonsai in Europe is no longer to be discounted and especially the slightly warmer parts are making great strides.

Apart for three years, he lectured and was one of the main-speakers at the national conventions held in the various centres, he continues to lecture to the local clubs (where in most of them he is a honorary member).  His support to the national as well as the local associations is without question; seen by his effort to conciliate the varying parties and his willingness to supply material for a variety of competitions shows his commitment.  He trains between 80 – 100 new bonsai enthusiasts, per season, plus some 30 advanced.

Realising that the bonsai world cannot rely only only on the advanced, he has recently taken four talented and enthusiastic young members under his wing (from various clubs) to ensure the forward movement of the art.