New gardening tools for greening programme
Tsakane- Last Friday ward councillor Silas Letsimo handed over gardening tools to the participants of the Bontle Ke Botho greening programme in Extension 19.
This initiative was started last year by Clr Letsimo to try and curb unemployment and poverty in the community.
In 2014, first timers, ward 84 participated in a greening competition Bontle Ke Botho and the provincial government held, where they came third and secured a cash prize of R40 000.
Clr Letsimo explained that the prize money was used to buy the gardening tools and to sustain the project which has five gardens around ward 84.
“Our vision is to green the open spaces around the community and eradicate the many illegal dumping sites that are emerging”, said Letsimo.
Micheal Manana (49), tends to his own garden in Extension 19 and this provides him with a source of income. “I am able to support my family with the vegetables that I grow in my garden and I also make money by selling them”, said Manana. He reported that the tools that they received will help them a lot because it was a challenge for them to tend to the gardens with limited tools.
Selby Vilakazi (52), a member of the programme, says that he would like to see more young people involved in agricultural programmes.
“Gardening must be taught to young people at an early age so that they will have the skills to enable them to become independent adults”, said Vilakazi.
