Mulweli Phusuphusu Maginya originally hails from Tshidimbini village in Venda and is currently stationed at Makgaung Primary School servicing the community of Makgaung in Ga-Sekororo outside Hoedspruit. “I run a school gardening project from my pocket. I donate the vegetables to local NGOs and needy families, sell some, and buy school shoes and uniforms for needy learners.” He is currently looking for a donor to buy shade nets and install drip irrigation to plants throughout the year.
Mulweli has had a passion for gardening since childhood but always had water challenges. While studying at the University of Venda, he lived with a family in Maungani village where there was a borehole. He created a small garden that produced enough to feed the household and other small families. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he drilled a borehole for his mother. “It reawakened my love for working the land and I planted trees and started a garden. I also planted vegetables at my grandmother’s house.”
Also read: Mmapula’s agri-business makes it to the top four
Maginya told the Herald that he realised that the security guards at Makguaung had a small garden that they were not using effectively. “I went to the new principal and asked her to start a garden. I started from scratch and since there were a lot of bushes, I asked a security guard to help me at times.” The harvest exceeded his expectations, and he gave some of the products to a local non-governmental organisation that works with children, the disabled, and those living with HIV/Aids.
“I also donated some to families affected by disasters and those living in absolute poverty. With the money I make I can buy a pair or two school shoes for needy children,” he said. People in need visit his office and ask for food parcels which he cannot always provide. “But I figured what better way than to help them with the vegetables I produce,” added Mulweli. Maginya plants spinach, mustard, beetroot, various kinds of cabbages, tomatoes, chilies, green pepper, and onions.
“I am able to plant more than 1500 units of vegetables. I only use the space I can afford to service but there is a lot of space. I don’t have any employees, I work with Phillip Mankgela who is a security guard at the school,” he added. He said time management is an issue as Mankgela cannot always assist him and because of his busy work schedule he has to hire local boys to help water the garden.
“A solution to most of my problems will be installing drip irrigation and shade nets so that I can produce veggies even in winter. I firmly believe in subsistence farming as it is the only way to food security. Producing your food gives you a voice,” he concluded. Anyone willing to help can contact him at 079 313 4295.
