Food garden in KwaThema feeds the poor
“In this way we know that our people are eating healthy vegetables which they pay less for." - Nhlapo
KwaThema- Elders of Dlaulale Agricultural Multipurpose Primary Co-operative in KwaThema have taken a stand to fight poverty in the area through food gardens.
They started food gardens which are aimed at feeding centres, child-headed households and poor families in the community.
Founder Mapule Nhlapo says they decided to take a stand to fight poverty three years ago.
Also read: Community gardens help feed the poor
“I have always loved gardening in my backyard and fed my family and some of my neighbours with the produce.
“After I became a pensioner I decided to encourage some of the unemployed women in the neighbourhood to start food gardens.
“Through the years we were able to identify the difference the gardens make in our lives.
“We then decided to approach the local councillor to allow us to use some of the unutilised pieces of land,” she says.
Also read: How to develop an eco-friendly garden
Mapule says they also sell their vegetables to the residents.
“In this way, we know that our people are eating healthy vegetables which they pay less for.
“We use the profit to buy the seeds and tools to improve the gardens.
“We are working towards supplying some of the local supermarkets with our produce.
“This will not only benefit the project but also those who are unemployed in the community,” she says.
Josephine Tshehla says they are hoping that the project will attract young people in the community to join them.
“We are worried about the high number of young people who are not interested in agriculture yet they are unemployed.
“One doesn’t have to know everything about agriculture because there are experts and skills training which are offered by government and private companies,” she says.
Follow us on our social media platforms:
