Schools go green
KwaThema - Ntokozweni Primary School is one of the many primary schools in Kwatsaduza that has a vegetable garden.
School gardens were initially started for learners who did not have a meal to go home to after a long day at school.
The vegetables are distributed to less privileged learners, who are identified by class teachers.
Local feeding schemes also benefit from the vegetables that are planted.
Environment coordinator at Ntokozweni Primary School, Lungile Motha (55), encourages learners to not only plant vegetables at school, but also at home.
Learners and teachers spend time after school every day to water and take care of the crops.
“This garden belongs to learners and therefore it’s their duty to take care of it” says Motha.
Tholakele Malinde (12), explained that since she became involved in the school garden, she enjoys the natural science classes more.
A certain portion of the garden has been allocated to the elderly in the community, where they also grow their own vegetables.
These elderly citizens also assist with the garden’s upkeep during school holidays.
Some of the vegetables are sold to the community during the harvest season, and the profit is ploughed back into the garden.
The school’s teachers and learners want the garden to be the biggest school garden in Ekurhuleni..
