The Westonaria Local Municipality MMC for Economic Development and Finance Alex Ntshiba together with representatives of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development established numerous food gardens in Westonaria.
This was done through their farming project where they handed out seeds as well as gardening implements such as forks, hoes, shovels, spades, watering cans and rakes to residents of Bekkersdal, Hillshaven and other neighbouring townships.
According to Ntshiba, residents within the greater Westonaria need to go back to basics to combat the challenge of rising food prices by reverting to gardening.
“Food is expensive and because of that, poverty continues to be a problem throughout our country and we as government cannot fold our hands and do nothing. Therefore we have decided to respond by distributing farming implements as well as seeds to residents so that they are in a better position to empower themselves and establish their own food gardens,” Ntshiba says.
“This also will provide them with fresh produce either for consumption purposes or to start their own businesses,” says Ntshiba.
He adds that they are working with other relevant stakeholders to ensure that people are fed, and he hopes that residents will be involved actively in producing their own food.
According to him, the municipality also is working towards ensuring that every school and every church in the area has its own food garden and adds that this will go a long way in fighting poverty.
