Msiza adopted land at Tsakane Primary School and has her very own organic vegetable garden which she tends to on a daily basis.
Initially she wanted to own a flower nursery, but due to lack of funding she then opted for a vegetable garden as a second option.
She explains her passion for gardening as second nature.
“My passion for gardening and healthy living is translated in my garden.
“I want to promote healthy living in my community and that can be done if people learn to eat healthy and develop their own vegetable gardens,” says the aspirant farmer.
She started her vegetable garden last year with the hopes of starting her organic vegetable market which she is working towards.
Everything Msiza knows about vegetable gardening is through research and practice.
“I do extensive research and attend workshops so I gain more knowledge in what I do.
“I believe that one day my vision for a vegetable market here in my community will become a reality only if I put in the work,” she says.
She prides herself on the fact the all her vegetables and herbs are organically grown.
“Most of the food we eat nowadays is processed and has chemicals in them, which is not necessarily healthy for us.
“Organic vegetables and fruit are essential for us to get all the nutrients we need for our bodies,” she adds.
Msiza also uses companion farming, which is planting a seed next to a flower.
This process attracts the necessary insects for the crops to grow and also serves as a pesticide.
“I have sunflowers next to my vegetables – the sunflower draws the necessary vitamins for my vegetables,” she says.
She says her challenges include not having enough gardening tools and compost bins.
“I’d like to have an irrigation system which will help me a lot with watering my garden,” she says.
On her future plans, she says she wants to run an organic farm in Tsakane, where she will also add livestock.
“The opportunities are limitless and I really want my community to benefit and learn a lot about healthy living and organic farming,”
she says.
