Food garden puts food on the table

While some of these seniors are self-taught in this skill, for others it was a talent they discovered early in their schooling years which stayed with them throughout.

“As pensioners of this centre, we started with the food gardening project in 1995, after being encouraged by our centre manager who was worried about the open space, dirt and snakes at the time.

“People from the Department of Agriculture, through the municipality were then asked to come help us clean and from there, we began with the garden,” said Mogomotsi.

The duo emphasised that as time has gone by, the reason they have fallen deeper in love with what they are doing is that it helps in feeding a lot of people.

“Today we can proudly say the project has been a success all because of the work of their hands,” said Nkosi.

He added though, that this is not the work of just the two of them, as there are eight other pensioners who work with them, almost daily between Mondays and Fridays. That’s because this is something they are all passionate about and they don’t mind spending so much time doing it.

Through this food garden, which has a huge variety of vegetable including cabbage, lettuce, carrots, onion, spinach and brinjal, among others things, the pensioners have been able to give back to the home, sell some of their produce and sometimes help in feeding their own families.

“All we are asking for now, is for the community or any business to donate seeds and tools for us, as the home is only able to provide us with land and water.

“And to all our locals who have or are interested in starting their own food gardens at home, they should just put time and love into it as practice makes perfect.

“Also, look around you and ask other people who have experience, so they can give you guidance,” the two old men said.