{"id":274,"date":"2026-05-04T11:44:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T11:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/how-to\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T11:44:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T11:44:49","slug":"how-to","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/how-to\/","title":{"rendered":"How-To"},"content":{"rendered":"\n \n
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\n \n \n <\/title>\n <link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Playfair+Display:wght@700;900&family=Source+Sans+3:wght@300;400;600&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n <link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/cdnjs.cloudflare.com\/ajax\/libs\/font-awesome\/6.5.0\/css\/all.min.css\">\n <style> :root {\n --green-deep: #1a3d1f;\n --green-mid: #2d6a35;\n --green-light: #4a9455;\n --green-pale: #e8f5ea;\n --orange: #e87722;\n --orange-light: #f5a24b;\n --orange-pale: #fff4ea;\n --cream: #fdf8f2;\n --text-dark: #1a2416;\n --text-mid: #3d4f3a;\n --text-light: #7a8c77;\n --white: #ffffff;\n --shadow: 0 4px 24px rgba(26,61,31,0.10);\n --radius: 14px;\n }\n \n * { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n \n body {\n font-family: 'Source Sans 3', sans-serif;\n background: var(--cream);\n color: var(--text-dark);\n min-height: 100vh;\n }\n \n \/* HERO *\/\n .hero {\n background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--green-deep) 60%, var(--green-mid) 100%);\n padding: 56px 24px 48px;\n text-align: center;\n position: relative;\n overflow: hidden;\n }\n .hero::before {\n content: '';\n position: absolute;\n inset: 0;\n background: url(\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg width='60' height='60' viewBox='0 0 60 60' xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%3E%3Cg fill='none' fill-rule='evenodd'%3E%3Cg fill='%234a9455' fill-opacity='0.10'%3E%3Ccircle cx='30' cy='30' r='20'\/%3E%3C\/g%3E%3C\/g%3E%3C\/svg%3E\") repeat;\n opacity: 0.4;\n }\n .hero-logo {\n font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;\n font-size: 13px;\n letter-spacing: 4px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--orange-light);\n margin-bottom: 16px;\n position: relative;\n }\n .hero h1 {\n font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;\n font-size: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 3.2rem);\n font-weight: 900;\n color: var(--white);\n line-height: 1.15;\n margin-bottom: 16px;\n position: relative;\n }\n .hero h1 span { color: var(--orange-light); }\n .hero p {\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.80);\n font-size: 1.05rem;\n max-width: 560px;\n margin: 0 auto 24px;\n line-height: 1.7;\n position: relative;\n }\n .hero-badge {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 8px;\n background: var(--orange);\n color: var(--white);\n font-weight: 600;\n font-size: 0.92rem;\n padding: 10px 22px;\n border-radius: 50px;\n position: relative;\n box-shadow: 0 4px 18px rgba(232,119,34,0.35);\n }\n \n \/* ALERT BANNER *\/\n .alert-banner {\n background: var(--orange-pale);\n border-left: 5px solid var(--orange);\n margin: 32px auto;\n max-width: 820px;\n padding: 18px 24px;\n border-radius: 0 var(--radius) var(--radius) 0;\n display: flex;\n gap: 14px;\n align-items: flex-start;\n }\n .alert-banner i { color: var(--orange); font-size: 1.3rem; margin-top: 2px; flex-shrink: 0; }\n .alert-banner p { font-size: 0.97rem; color: var(--text-mid); line-height: 1.65; }\n .alert-banner a { color: var(--green-mid); font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none; }\n .alert-banner a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }\n \n \/* MAIN CONTAINER *\/\n .container { max-width: 860px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 20px 60px; }\n \n \/* SECTION HEADERS *\/\n .section-label {\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 10px;\n margin-bottom: 24px;\n margin-top: 40px;\n }\n .section-label .pill {\n background: var(--green-mid);\n color: var(--white);\n font-size: 0.78rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n letter-spacing: 2px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n padding: 4px 14px;\n border-radius: 50px;\n }\n .section-label hr { flex: 1; border: none; border-top: 1.5px solid #c8dcc9; }\n \n \/* STEPS *\/\n .steps { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 16px; }\n \n .step-card {\n background: var(--white);\n border-radius: var(--radius);\n box-shadow: var(--shadow);\n display: flex;\n gap: 0;\n overflow: hidden;\n transition: transform 0.2s, box-shadow 0.2s;\n animation: fadeUp 0.5s ease both;\n }\n .step-card:hover { transform: translateY(-3px); box-shadow: 0 10px 32px rgba(26,61,31,0.13); }\n \n @keyframes fadeUp {\n from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(18px); }\n to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }\n }\n .step-card:nth-child(1) { animation-delay: 0.05s; }\n .step-card:nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 0.10s; }\n .step-card:nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 0.15s; }\n .step-card:nth-child(4) { animation-delay: 0.20s; }\n .step-card:nth-child(5) { animation-delay: 0.25s; }\n .step-card:nth-child(6) { animation-delay: 0.30s; }\n .step-card:nth-child(7) { animation-delay: 0.35s; }\n .step-card:nth-child(8) { animation-delay: 0.40s; }\n .step-card:nth-child(9) { animation-delay: 0.45s; }\n .step-card:nth-child(10) { animation-delay: 0.50s; }\n \n .step-number {\n background: var(--green-deep);\n color: var(--white);\n font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;\n font-size: 1.5rem;\n font-weight: 900;\n min-width: 64px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: center;\n flex-direction: column;\n gap: 4px;\n }\n .step-number i { font-size: 1rem; color: var(--orange-light); }\n \n .step-body { padding: 18px 22px; flex: 1; }\n .step-body h3 {\n font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;\n font-size: 1.1rem;\n color: var(--green-deep);\n margin-bottom: 6px;\n }\n .step-body p { font-size: 0.95rem; color: var(--text-mid); line-height: 1.65; }\n .step-body ul { padding-left: 20px; margin-top: 6px; }\n .step-body ul li { font-size: 0.93rem; color: var(--text-mid); margin-bottom: 3px; }\n \n \/* PERMIT TYPES *\/\n .permit-grid {\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(200px, 1fr));\n gap: 14px;\n margin-top: 6px;\n }\n .permit-tag {\n background: var(--green-pale);\n border: 1.5px solid var(--green-light);\n border-radius: 10px;\n padding: 10px 14px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 10px;\n font-size: 0.9rem;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: var(--green-deep);\n }\n .permit-tag i { color: var(--orange); font-size: 1.1rem; }\n .permit-tag .price {\n margin-left: auto;\n background: var(--orange);\n color: var(--white);\n font-size: 0.82rem;\n font-weight: 700;\n padding: 2px 10px;\n border-radius: 50px;\n }\n \n \/* COST BOX *\/\n .cost-box {\n background: var(--green-pale);\n border: 1.5px solid var(--green-light);\n border-radius: var(--radius);\n padding: 18px 22px;\n margin-top: 8px;\n }\n .cost-row {\n display: flex;\n justify-content: space-between;\n align-items: center;\n padding: 7px 0;\n border-bottom: 1px solid #c8dcc9;\n font-size: 0.93rem;\n color: var(--text-mid);\n }\n .cost-row:last-child { border-bottom: none; }\n .cost-row .label { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 8px; }\n .cost-row i { color: var(--green-mid); width: 18px; }\n .cost-row .amount { font-weight: 700; color: var(--green-deep); }\n .cost-row.optional .amount { color: var(--text-light); }\n \n \/* TIMELINE *\/\n .timeline-badge {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 10px;\n background: var(--orange);\n color: var(--white);\n font-weight: 700;\n font-size: 1rem;\n padding: 12px 28px;\n border-radius: 50px;\n margin: 20px 0 0;\n box-shadow: 0 4px 18px rgba(232,119,34,0.28);\n }\n \n \/* TRACKER CTA *\/\n .tracker-cta {\n background: linear-gradient(120deg, var(--green-deep), var(--green-mid));\n border-radius: var(--radius);\n padding: 28px 32px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n justify-content: space-between;\n gap: 20px;\n flex-wrap: wrap;\n margin-top: 40px;\n box-shadow: var(--shadow);\n }\n .tracker-cta h3 {\n font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif;\n font-size: 1.3rem;\n color: var(--white);\n margin-bottom: 6px;\n }\n .tracker-cta p { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.78); font-size: 0.92rem; }\n .tracker-btn {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 8px;\n background: var(--orange);\n color: var(--white);\n font-weight: 700;\n font-size: 0.95rem;\n padding: 13px 28px;\n border-radius: 50px;\n text-decoration: none;\n white-space: nowrap;\n box-shadow: 0 4px 18px rgba(232,119,34,0.35);\n transition: background 0.2s, transform 0.2s;\n }\n .tracker-btn:hover { background: var(--orange-light); transform: scale(1.04); }\n \n \/* DISCLAIMER *\/\n .disclaimer {\n background: #fff8f0;\n border: 1.5px dashed var(--orange);\n border-radius: var(--radius);\n padding: 18px 22px;\n margin-top: 28px;\n display: flex;\n gap: 12px;\n align-items: flex-start;\n }\n .disclaimer i { color: var(--orange); font-size: 1.2rem; margin-top: 2px; flex-shrink: 0; }\n .disclaimer p { font-size: 0.88rem; color: var(--text-mid); line-height: 1.7; font-style: italic; }\n \n \/* FOOTER *\/\n footer {\n background: var(--green-deep);\n color: rgba(255,255,255,0.55);\n text-align: center;\n font-size: 0.82rem;\n padding: 22px;\n margin-top: 60px;\n }\n footer a { color: var(--orange-light); text-decoration: none; }\n \n @media (max-width: 540px) {\n .step-number { min-width: 50px; font-size: 1.2rem; }\n .tracker-cta { flex-direction: column; }\n } <\/style><!-- HERO -->\n <div class=\"hero\">\n <div class=\"hero-logo\"><i class=\"fa-leaf fas\"><\/i>  Investment Gardens\n <\/div>\n <h1>Cycad <span>Permit<\/span>\n <br>Application Process\n <\/h1>\n <p>A seamless, fully digital process to legally permit your cycads \u2014 managed on your behalf from submission to collection.<\/p>\n <div class=\"hero-badge\"><i class=\"fa-shield-halved fas\"><\/i> DFFE Compliant & Fully Managed\n <\/div>\n <div style=\"margin-top:18px; display:inline-flex; align-items:center; gap:8px; background:rgba(255,255,255,0.12); border:1.5px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.30); color:#fff; font-size:0.88rem; font-weight:600; padding:9px 20px; border-radius:50px; position:relative;\"><i class=\"fa-map-location-dot fas\" style=\"color:var(--orange-light);\"><\/i> Currently available in <strong style=\"color:var(--orange-light);\"> Gauteng only<\/strong>  \u2014 other provinces coming soon \n <\/div>\n <\/div><!-- CONTAINER -->\n <div class=\"container\"><!-- ALERT: 5+ Plants -->\n <div class=\"alert-banner\"><i class=\"fa-circle-exclamation fas\"><\/i>\n <p>\n <strong>Applying for 5 or more plants?<\/strong> Please contact us directly at <a href=\"\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#1b6b7e6976726f685b72756d7e686f767e756f7c7a697f7e756835787435617a\"><span class=\"__cf_email__\" data-cfemail=\"1a6a7f6877736e695a73746c7f696e777f746e7d7b687e7f746934797534607b\">permits@investmentgardens.co.za<\/span>\n <\/a> and we will assist you on-site. A separate call-out fee may apply.\n <\/p>\n <\/div><!-- STEPS SECTION -->\n <div class=\"section-label\"><span class=\"pill\">Step-by-Step<\/span>\n <hr>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"steps\">\n <div class=\"step-card\">\n <div class=\"step-number\">1<i class=\"fa-user-plus fas\"><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-body\">\n <h3>Create Your Account<\/h3>\n <p>Sign in or register using your unique email address to access the permit application portal.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-card\">\n <div class=\"step-number\">2<i class=\"fa-id-card fas\"><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-body\">\n <h3>Complete Your Profile<\/h3>\n <p>Fill in your full name, physical address, and mobile number so we can keep you informed throughout the process.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-card\">\n <div class=\"step-number\">3<i class=\"fa-seedling fas\"><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-body\">\n <h3>Add Your Cycad Details<\/h3>\n <p>Enter the details of each cycad requiring a permit \u2014 species, size, and current location.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-card\">\n <div class=\"step-number\">4<i class=\"fa-file-circle-check fas\"><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-body\">\n <h3>Select Permit Type\/s<\/h3>\n <p>Choose one or more permit types applicable to your cycad\/s:<\/p>\n <div class=\"permit-grid\">\n <div class=\"permit-tag\"><i class=\"fa-lock fas\"><\/i> Holding Permit <span class=\"price\">R50<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"permit-tag\"><i class=\"fa-truck fas\"><\/i> Move \/ Transplant <span class=\"price\">R50<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"permit-tag\"><i class=\"fa-tags fas\"><\/i> Permit to Sell <span class=\"price\">R50<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-card\">\n <div class=\"step-number\">5<i class=\"fa-camera fas\"><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-body\">\n <h3>Upload Plant Images<\/h3>\n <p>Attach clear photos of your cycad\/s. These are used by Investment Gardens and DFFE to confirm the species. We may contact you if images require clarification.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-card\">\n <div class=\"step-number\">6<i class=\"fa-paper-plane fas\"><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-body\">\n <h3>Submit Your Application<\/h3>\n <p>Submit your application. Our team will review the details and images to confirm the species and calculate your total cost.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-card\">\n <div class=\"step-number\">7<i class=\"fa-credit-card fas\"><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-body\">\n <h3>Receive Payment Link & Pay<\/h3>\n <p>Once costs are confirmed, you'll receive a secure Yoco payment link. Fees are as follows:<\/p>\n <div class=\"cost-box\">\n <div class=\"cost-row\"><span class=\"label\"><i class=\"fa-file-alt fas\"><\/i> Permit fee (per permit)<\/span><span class=\"amount\">R50 each<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cost-row\"><span class=\"label\"><i class=\"fa-briefcase fas\"><\/i> Investment Gardens admin fee<\/span><span class=\"amount\">R150<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cost-row optional\"><span class=\"label\"><i class=\"fa-box fas\"><\/i> Pudo delivery (optional)<\/span><span class=\"amount\">R70<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cost-row optional\"><span class=\"label\"><i class=\"fa-building-columns fas\"><\/i> Collect at DFFE office<\/span><span class=\"amount\">Own cost<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-card\">\n <div class=\"step-number\">8<i class=\"fa-pen-nib fas\"><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-body\">\n <h3>Sign the Application Electronically<\/h3>\n <p>Once payment is confirmed, you'll be prompted to sign your permit application electronically before it is formally submitted to DFFE.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-card\">\n <div class=\"step-number\">9<i class=\"fa-magnifying-glass fas\"><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-body\">\n <h3>DFFE Inspection<\/h3>\n <p>A DFFE official will schedule an on-site inspection of your cycad\/s at a time convenient to you. The permit is issued following a successful inspection.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-card\">\n <div class=\"step-number\">10<i class=\"fa-circle-check fas\"><\/i>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"step-body\">\n <h3>Permit Collection or Delivery<\/h3>\n <p>Your permit\/s will be dispatched via Pudo, or you will be notified that it is ready for collection at the DFFE offices.<\/p>\n <div class=\"timeline-badge\"><i class=\"fa-clock fas\"><\/i> Estimated total process: approximately 5 weeks\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><!-- \/steps --><!-- TRACKER CTA -->\n <div class=\"tracker-cta\">\n <div>\n <h3><i class=\"fa-satellite-dish fas\"><\/i>  Track Your Application\n <\/h3>\n <p>Monitor the real-time status of your permit application online at any time.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <a href=\"#\" class=\"tracker-btn\"><i class=\"fa-arrow-right fas\"><\/i> View Application Status\n <\/a>\n <\/div><!-- DISCLAIMER -->\n <div class=\"disclaimer\"><i class=\"fa-triangle-exclamation fas\"><\/i>\n <p>\n <strong>Disclaimer:<\/strong> If permits are not issued by DFFE for any reason, no refund will be provided. However, Investment Gardens will make every effort to resolve the matter on your behalf. By proceeding with the application, you acknowledge and accept this condition.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><!-- \/container -->\n <footer><\/footer>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n \n \n \n \n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> Investment Gardens Cycad Permit Application Process A seamless, fully digital process to legally permit your cycads \u2014 managed on your behalf from submission to collection. DFFE Compliant & Fully Managed Currently available in  Gauteng only  \u2014 other provinces coming soon Applying for 5 or more plants? Please contact us directly at permits@investmentgardens.co.za and we will … <a href=\"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/how-to\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> “How-To”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-274","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=274"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/274\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":288,"href":"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/274\/revisions\/288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/investmentgardens.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}