Finding Therapy in the U-Pick Rows of Mpumalanga

Blue Fields of Serenity: Finding Therapy in the U-Pick Rows of Mpumalanga

​By Livhuwani Mammburu

​White River, Mpumalanga—There is a simple, profound joy that comes from sourcing your own food, especially when that food is the prized, deep-blue jewel of the fruit world.

Yesterday, I traded the grocery aisle for the open air, immersing myself in the sweet chaos of the Ralindo Blueberry Farm Festival near White River.

​The air buzzed with the gentle sounds of families and the promise of a bountiful harvest. For a nominal entrance fee—R50 for adults—the farm opened up a landscape of green bushes heavy with ripening fruit. But the real adventure began with the bucket.

​Ralindo offered buckets in varying sizes, determining the scope of your harvest. I opted for the larger R150 bucket. Armed with this empty vessel, I headed into the lush, regimented rows, ready to claim my prize.

​The Therapeutic Rhythm

​The process of picking is meditative. My focus narrowed to the task at hand: seeking out the most perfectly powdered, plump blue spheres hidden beneath the leaves.

​There is a distinct, satisfying pop when a ripe berry detaches cleanly from its stem, a small victory in the Mpumalanga sun. One by one, the berries dropped into the bucket, creating a soft, rhythmic patter that calmed the mind.

​This experience, for me, was extremely therapeutic. It was a grounding activity—a tangible connection to nature and the source of my favourite fruit. Time seemed to slow down, measured only by the accumulating weight of the berries in my hands and the gradual filling of the bucket.

​A Worthwhile Investment

​Blueberries, as any discerning shopper knows, can be prohibitively expensive, especially when purchased pre-packaged from stores like Woolworths. The cost-per-gram often makes them a rare treat.

​The real beauty of the U-Pick experience at Ralindo is not just the freshness, but the value. Filling that R150 bucket with perfectly ripe, hand-picked fruit felt like a triumph—a way to stock my freezer and my fridge with my favourite snack for a fraction of the usual price. It transforms a costly luxury into an affordable, hard-earned bounty.

​Leaving the festival, my hands were lightly stained blue, my bucket was heavy, and my spirit was lighter. The Ralindo Blueberry Farm Festival is more than just a place to buy fruit; it’s an invitation to slow down, connect with the earth, and experience the simple, therapeutic reward of a good day's harvest