Alex women’s co-operatives were the pride of the township recently after winning accolades at a provincial contest of 250 participants on nature conservation and agricultural production.
They are now en route to the national contest in September in Bloemfontein.
Representing Region E of the Johannesburg City Council, Violet Mabaso and Sinah Gwebu of Molobanyane and Gabane Puo co-ops at Lenin Garden on Lenin Drive, Tsutsumani, also won cash prizes in the land-care and community-based project categories, proving their commitment to the co-ops’ ethos of self-reliance.
Mabaso said the occasion facilitated by the provincial government on 7 March at St Georges Hotel, Midrand, made them proud. “Our effort wasn’t in vain, it affirms the cooperative business approach is setting us free from dependence by empowering us with financial gain while we feed society and supply businesses with a healthy variety of organically grown vegetables and herbs.”
She said the accolades encouraged them to learn and acquire more agricultural and business skills which she hopes the province will provide them with. “Hopefully, we will be exemplary to others wishing to lessen their dependency on grants by seeking land from the government to start similar initiatives to feed, clothe, empower and elevate their self-esteem through self-reliance.”
Gwebu added, “We are so excited and honoured.” She commended all co-ops working in the garden for clearing the former dump site into a spot to be proud of and the region for assisting to move aside heavier rubble and boulders, freeing land for their vegetable patches.
She said using the land also stopped robberies and killings which occurred at the site. “I am now able to raise R80 from sales daily to support my family.” Gwebu hopes youth lazying on the street will want to emulate and feel not outdone by old ladies. “They will realise immense benefits from agriculture and, de-myth the prevailing perception that it’s hard and dirty work reserved for the uneducated.”
Their success involved the departments of economic environment, agriculture and rural development and social development assessing their methods for land management, soil conservation, making beds, planting and plant preservation, composting and cleanliness of their allotments, interviews and submission of write-ups and photographs of their sites. They were also commended for their organic crops which are in vogue with health-conscious consumers.
The only damper on their morale are rumours circulating of plans by the City to build on the land. “We hope authorities will be sensitive to the positives from our work which among others, fulfils government’s objective on self-reliance, poverty alleviation, women empowerment, employment generation and small business development,” Mabaso said in conclusion.
Details Violet Mabaso 083 517 6087 Sinah Gwebu 082 973 6439.
