Hlenza is passionate about plants
His advice to people is to plant whatever plants they find a use for, but must always plant on a manageable scale.
HILLCREST AIDS Centre Trust’s newly-appointed horticulture manager, Sabu Hlenza, believes that plants are the sources of many essential products, which is the reason he got into the industry.
Hlenza is as a horticulture manager for nursery and community out-reach duties. He is also responsible for stocking up plants at the indigenous plant nursery. “We buy some plants but we propagate most of the them,” he elaborated.
Hlenza also supports the ‘gogo gardens’ with farming technology and advices them on how to keep themselves secure with food. “Most importantly, I am introducing drought-resistant crops to the ‘granny gardens’.”
He said there is a lot to be copied from Botswana as most of the drought-tolerant crops are from there.
Hlenza said he enjoys being in a position to help small-scale farmers produce quality food during a time when most crops are failing because of the drought, also helping farmers produce high yields in a small area.
Outspan International introduced Hlenza to the industry and trained him to be a horticulturist through UKZN.
“It has always been my dream to be involved in food production and to be able to do a range of agricultural projects, and this job has the variety. Plants are the sources of many products – food, building materials, cosmetics and medicines – and their presence is therapeutic.”
His advice to people is to plant whatever plants they find a use for, but must always plant on a manageable scale.
“Adopt planting in controlled environments to eliminate or minimise risks. Plant crops that have more than one growing season,” he said.
He added that he encourages people to join join this industry as the economy of our country depends on farming.
“People must come with the attitude to be prepared to do anything new because climate change calls for changes in the way that we farm.”
