Modderbee Farm needs your help to grow
The co-operative consists of 76 members who are ex-convicts, pensioners, unemployed youth, disabled people and parolees aged between 21 and 83.
The Modderbee Correctional Services Farm co-operative members are digging deep to help feed the community after converting a vacant land in Cloverdene into a flourishing community garden.
The 23 hectares of land owned by the correctional service was previously used by convicted offenders to grow vegetables for the prison.
Modderbee Correctional Services communications liaison offer Abraham Malapane said the convicted offenders stopped growing vegetables in 2017 because the community stole their tools, fencing and vandalised their storage rooms.
In 2018, Malapane formed the Modderbee Correctional Services Farm co-operative and nine other co-operatives to help rehabilitate offenders who have to be reintegrated into society and to allow the community to grow its food.
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On October 30, the group will officially lease the land from the Ekurhuleni metro.
The co-operative consists of 76 members who are ex-convicts, pensioners, unemployed youth, disabled people and parolees aged between 21 and 83.
The members reside in Daveyton, Cloverdene, Etwatwa, Chief Albert Luthuli, Mayfield and Kingsway.
Chairperson of the co-operative Mpho Sebasho said they welcomed the idea of starting a garden to prevent community members from erecting shacks on the vacant land.
“Through this garden, we are developing the community and assisting those in need. Unemployment in the area is very high and has increased dramatically due to Covid-19, the garden does make a difference,” said Sebasho.
Sebasho added that they sustain the garden out of their own pockets by contributing at least R100 each to buy seeds, tools and to cover petrol costs.
“The journey hasn’t been easy due to several challenges, such as water, electricity, security and lack of funding.
Some of the community members steal from our garden as no fencing or anyone is guarding the land. However, we are hopeful that there will be light at the end of the tunnel, he said.
“We would like the government to fund us so we can grow more vegetables as we want to supply supermarkets and create employment soon.
“We also need any businesses that can help us to secure the land with a fence, rebuild the vandalised storages and build toilets because the female members need to walk across to the nearby house to relieve themselves.”
The co-operative would appreciate any donations of gardening tools, seeds, a fence, building material and water for their borehole.
The members meet at the garden from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 14:00. Community members are welcome to volunteer.
To donate, contact Sebasho on 071 430 8437, Strike Mantsho on 073 828 8884 or Zanele Mahlangu on 067 744 2580.
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