Be self sufficient and not lazy

This was said by Elvis Rathogwa and Manase Madika who tend a small patch of land at the Altrec Sports Complex. The sports complex is their workplace where, also in addition to using the little land available at their homes, they grow a variety of vegetables to see them through the year. “Residents should desist from laziness and learn to stand on their own especially on matters of household food supply like vegetables. Growing one’s own vegetables derives from an interest to be self-sufficient, reduce household costs and save from the little income one gets from work, jobs and even grants,” Rathogwa said.

The two men learnt gardening from boyhood in the Limpopo Province were they said children are inducted into gardening and crop farming along river banks and in communal plots. “The knowledge gained becomes a life skill which makes us independent in household food supply. It gives us self satisfaction when we know that we can provide for ourselves rather than depend on shops for something that can be grown freely on land and tended to.” Madika said even from small spaces, residents can produce enough vegetables to supply a large household. “The trick is to have the skills and to know what and how to add to the soil to increase its fertility.” They create compost from the grass mowed from the grounds and use a sprinkling of water once or twice a week to nourish the crops.

The two said they alternate between growing spinach, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, chomoulier, onions, green pepper, pumpkins and other varieties depending on the season. “Some of the produce we share with the elderly who request help, but we prefer to teach and encourage the younger generation to develop their own gardens in their own backyards. Every home has space,” said Rathogwa. They advised residents to also seek advice from any home they see with a garden and also from a council-sponsored organisation which supports the development of group and family gardens.