A sprouting vegetable garden at Umhloti Primary School is shaping future champions in the agricultural sector.
Initiated by headmaster Mduduzi Nene in April 2022, the project took its first baby steps when uMngeni-uThukela Water donated indigenous trees to replace the water intensive alien invasive trees that were there before.
The school then bought vegetable seeds and rallied the surrounding community to clear the land for a veggie garden.
Community members such as Princess Mhlongo still donate their time to help maintain and expand the garden that has not only become a source of income for the school but also supplements the government-funded National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).
The NSNP provides pupils with two meals a day.
Hoosen and Nene showed the Courier additional land being cleared to expand the veggie garden to a fully functional sustainable operation.
They currently boast a healthy crop of cabbage (red and white), spinach, shallots, brinjals, beetroot, cauliflower, chili and two lettuce varieties.
Pupils are also offered a chance to nurture their own budding green thumbs by watering the veggies during breaks, which they enjoy.
The school would like to get the pupils more involved in the process but need a donation of small hand-held gardening tools that are safe for the young children to use.
Anyone who wishes to donate towards the cause can contact Jacqui Haddow at 084 600 9997 or email info@readandlern.co.za.
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