Beyond the Mulberry Tree is a vision and driving force behind Rudi Robberts’ passion in uniting his two homes, South Africa and New Zealand.
Timaru, New Zealand – Through raising and educating on silkworms, a unique way to nurture and connect with people is experienced through his vision of love and hope, wherever they trek (journey) in the world. His own life experience and perseverance he explains, has always driven him to find something to call his own.
Heritage is very important to Rudi Robberts; one cannot have direction if you don’t know your past. You follow your feet, put all your trust in God and let him be your compass.
A self-starter, he shares that everything starts with the young and by uniting communities; we can be part of the journey that sow the seeds for a better future. A strong family man, he has filled the sense of loss he felt when leaving South Africa by reliving life through the eyes of his daughter. There is an equivalent magic and wonder in raising silkworms that we felt as kids, which leaves me humble and wanting this to be a motivating pillar to our future.
He has found it inspiring watching the reactions when teaching kids about the natural world, particularly when addressing schools.
When asked, Rudi says the response’s following a recent NZ newspaper Interview and a tv3 mention; has been a rollercoaster of amazement and emotional highs but reinforces a sense of determination and optimism for the small business which started as a hobby in a garage.
The young ex-patriot finds the opportunities available in NZ have influenced him to persevere. There is a sense of opportunity here, but it is hard because nothing worthwhile comes easy, there is a freedom to lead, people are curious about silk in general, we simply invoke people to look and learn more and make people realise it’s something they have always had in New Zealand.
It is a far journey yet to go, says Rudi while his wife Marlize and team members are investigating the potential of a natural line within cosmetics and textiles.
Upon asking this young family whether they are foreseeing any possible trip to China (Silkworms were domesticated 5000 years ago in China) or South Africa and expanding on his knowledge of breeding lines, he is visibly excited…
“I am a dreamer and would love to carry this over to my daughter, to have her work and travel with me to these places one day and grow; much like his silkworms emerging from their tiny critter cocoons into lovely spin weaving moths.”
You can follow “Beyond the Mulberry Tree” on Facebook here where you can post and read up on his silkworm community. Further reading on silkworm-raising as pets can also be found in one of his published articles.
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