Mandla Nkosi, a recycling guru from Van Dyk Park mine quarters/MasinaVille, has turned a dump site into a library and a vegetable garden with the aim of tackling hunger in his area.
Through his foundation, Mandla Nkosi Foundation, he also educates and equips people to plant vegetables in their yard. Nkosi said the initiative was prompted by the negative impact of lockdown.
“The livelihoods of people have been seriously impacted. A lot of families are still going to bed hungry. I don’t have much experience in agriculture but I was prepared to share the little knowledge that I have. I wanted people to realise that you don’t have to go to bed hungry if you have a garden,” Nkosi said.
Since the lockdown was instituted on March 26, Nkosi has assisted about 10 families from around Ekurhuleni to kick-start a garden.
“When I get called by people who are interested to have a garden at their homes, I use the little money that I am getting through my recycling business to buy seeds and manure. I then demonstrate how to do plant vegetables as well guiding then through unique growing processes,” he said.
Nkosi said this is all part of his strategy to merge recycling and healthy lifestyle through his garden initiative.
“Our focus is on families who are in the recycling industry, and also the elderly and the disable. Through this initiative we encourage people to eat healthy as well as limiting frequent visits to malls during Covid-19. We want people to understand that not all foods have to brought from the supermarkets,” Nkosi.
The recycling guru further highlighted that the MMC for Environment and Waste Management, Khosi Mabaso, is aware of his garden initiative and has promised to give him a list of smaller groups in Ekurhuleni that are doing the same thing.In his community garden he grows spinach, onion and beetroot.
Furthermore, a portion of the yard has been turned it into a library.When not around, his daughter, Thandi, oversees the library by making sure that Covid-19 regulations are followed.
According to Nkosi, they received recycled books from the Boksburg SPCA. “Due to the closure of schools I decided to start the library to keep the children away from the streets. We encourage children to take a book to read at home,” Nkosi said.
Grade 10 learner at Etwatwa Secondary School, Anelisa Mtsamai. who is a regular visitor at the library, said: “I happy that there’s now a library in my community where I can source books to read,” she said.
Nkosi is appealing to anyone who can assist by donating seeds, books, blankets, second-hand clothes or any other items towards his Mandla Nkosi Foundation.
To donate contact him on 061 537 2237.
ALSO READ:
Reiger Park community garden needs netting to keep it going
ALSO READ:
Watch: Community crisis centre’s hard work blooms to life
