From dumpsite to vegetable garden
Synergistic Covenant Network has successfully turned a dumping site into a thriving agricultural land and created job opportunities.
What was once a notorious illegal dumping site has been transformed into a thriving agricultural oasis, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Synergistic Covenant Network team.
The Synergistic Covenant Network is a skills development non-profit centre that has been a beacon of hope in the community by equipping them with skills such as welding, robotics and coding, computers, and early childhood development, just to name a few.
The project to rehabilitate an illegal dump at the corner of Minnaar and Campbell Street into an agricultural site began several years ago by individuals from the non-profit organisation who had a vision to create job opportunities for the community while also stopping illegal activities.
“We got permission from Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo to use this land, and we removed the dumped waste, and that is when we started to plough the empty field to start our vegetable garden.
“Different sponsors came through to assist us, and that was when we were able to hire people, put up fencing and get other equipment to kickstart our project.
“This is part of our intervention programs to encourage our local community to do backyard farming and to create jobs in the community,” shared founder and centre manager Ellery Booth.
Booth also stated that they want to free the government of the burden of constantly funding individuals, as well as encouraging people to develop their own abilities rather than relying on government assistance.
“The vision is big here, and we are hoping that we grow and start selling our veggies to big retail stores,” Booth added.
At Synergistic, each project is spearheaded by a certain individual, and this particular project is overseen by Casey Francis and Virgil Nkosi.
According to Francis, they will soon start planting fruit trees, and they currently have onions, beetroot, potatoes, spinach, sweet corn, relish and cabbage.
Francis adds that the project has grown immensely, and even their staff has now started their own backyard gardens, and they collaborate and partner with each other.
