MEC launches ‘one home one garden’ programme in Wembezi
"Covid-19 pandemic will be with us for some time to come so we need to do things differently"
Submitted by Jabulani Mkhonza (Communications Manager – uThukela District Municipality)
To be self-sufficient directly translates into being able to do things for yourself and by yourself. So when the above is the way to go, it simply says one’s ability to put food on the table becomes a pillar in food security sustenance. This was witnessed on July 3 when the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Nomusa Dube-Ncube officially launched the ‘One Home One Garden’ programme in Wembezi.
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The program, which is convened throughout the province via Operation Sukuma Sakhe initiative is aimed at improving food security in communities through the planting of gardens in each and every household. MEC Dube-Ncube was accompanied by the District Mayor Siphiwe Mazibuko, Deputy Mayor Nombali Mchunu, Inkosi Langalibalele Mayor Jabulile Mbele, Inkosi Sithole, councillors, the Al-Imdaad Foundation, departments of Health, Agriculture, Arts & Culture and officials.
In his remarks the District Mayor said that they were happy that the MEC has identified the area as it is hard hit by lack of economic activities.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected the economic growth of the area and through this initiative we hope it will go a long way in trying to get our people out of poverty,” said Mayor Mazibuko.
In her address, the MEC said that as the leadership they feel that handing over food parcels won’t be enough to address the issue of poverty and high levels of unemployment. But helping our people to help themselves they will be providing a lasting solution.
“We need to find something that will be sustainable. Covid-19 pandemic will be with us for some time to come so we need to do things differently. Numbers of infection are rising up on a daily basis. Things like co-operatives, revival of spaza shops and so on must be attended to. Many more people will suffer and many more will die so we need to be passionate about their well-being. Farming becomes more important than ever before and if we were to do other projects like sewing and so forth that will help them out of poverty,” commented the MEC.
She also said that the tourism industry has been negatively affected by the lockdown, including import and export of goods and services.
She then encouraged people to care in order to protect themselves against Covid-19 pandemic. Two families in the area were visited to hand over gardening equipment and seeds.
The MEC and the team then went to visit Dalton area to see other project. The Dalton Project runs a lot of farming activities in the area and has created many job opportunities for the local community. Some of their farming projects include piggery, poultry, ploughing, beading and more, much to the delight of the MEC.
This is a true reflection of the narrative that when the community and civil society are pulling together they can achieve a lot of things.
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