Employment, training and food the future in Vleikop

There were scenes of joy at Carryou Ministry’s Vleikop Farming project when the Randfontein Municipality handed over seeds for the first crops to be planted.

The occasion was part of the local town council’s Nelson Mandela birthday celebrations and a number of dignitaries, including Executive Mayor Sylvia Thebenare were present.

Also present were Carryou Ministry founders Pam and Tony Jamison, as was a large crowd from the surrounding community who came to sign up for a farm-worker training programme.

“It was fitting that we have started a project that will provide employment, training and food for many,” says Carryou Ministry General Manager Reverend Lawrence Mabaso.

“Especially when we bear in mind how important planting and nurturing a seed were to Madiba. He wrote, while on Robben Island, that gardening was the only thing the prisoners had control over. This is a very important project that must be taken seriously by the community,” says Thebenare.

“We must remember this was barren land that through the efforts and support of many people soon will produce food. A family of four can be fed from a piece of ground the size of a household door,” she says. “So just imagine how many people these two tunnels will feed. We, as the municipality, will do everything in our power to support you.”

Cecile Kirk, Chairman of Umshini Consultants, who will be organising and running the farm-workers training course, also used the opportunity to explain how it would work and what is required.

After Kirk addressed everyone present, the first soil-sods were turned and the first seeds were planted at this farming project.