ESTCOURT: Sharing ideas for growth
This exchange prompted the deputy minister to suggest that the Mpumalanga gardeners make a five-day trip to Estcourt to visit the Al-Imdaad Foundation's garden to get hands-on experience
On October 17, corresponding to International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the Al-Imdaad Foundation partnered with the National Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, for a Food Security Outreach programme in Matshiding village, Mpumalanga, falling under JS Moroka Municipality.
The aim of the programme was to commemorate the day, promote awareness about food security, and create a platform for young gardeners from the Nkosi Senzagakhona Garden project and Al-Imdaad Foundation Community Garden to share ideas.
RELATED ARTICLE: Deputy Minister visits Al-Imdaad Foundation garden
The Nkosi Senzagakhona Garden project is run by Inkosi Mahlangu, who is the chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders.
The visit to his garden was part of a networking and exchange programme spearheaded by Deputy Minister Bogopane-Zulu to promote the sharing of ideas, knowledge, agricultural skills and empowering of the youth.
During the programme, the Al-Imdaad Foundation team had important suggestions for the Nkosi Senzagakhona gardeners. Sandile Hlophe, who has been in the Al-Imdaad Foundation Garden for over six years, recommended that they begin using herbs to combat pests.
Al-Imdaad Foundation’s aquaponics dome designer, Jonathan Dewel, had suggestions for how they could incorporate fish and aquaculture into their garden.
Al-Imdaad Foundation Garden manager Mfanafuthi Ngcobo also suggested that they investigate using mulching with straw to save water due to the excessive heat in the Mpumalanga area.
“With mulching, you can water every two or three days,” he explained.
This exchange prompted the deputy minister to suggest that the Mpumalanga gardeners make a five-day trip to Estcourt to visit the Al-Imdaad Foundation’s garden to get hands-on experience.
Thereafter, the Al-Imdaad Foundation team could return to Mpumalanga to help the local gardeners implement the systems they had learned.
“A joint effort between young people who get to learn different aspects practically. In this way, we can make agriculture ayoba!” said the deputy minister when describing the idea.
The Al-Imdaad Foundation also provided food parcels, hygiene packs, face masks and walking sticks to members of the surrounding rural community during the programme.
For more information about this and other exciting projects to address poverty and promote food security, visit www.alimdaad.com or call 086-178-6243.
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