One Family One Garden needs help with fencing

The wonderful vision of ‘One Family One Garden‘ aims to assist households to be able to produce enough food to meet their needs throughout the year.

Jeanne-Louise Kinsey of Munster is the brainchild of the project Khula Kanyekanye which means ‘Grow Together’.
The project initiated by Kinsey and her local community is to improve living conditions within communities of the South Coast on a basis that will provide opportunities for replication on a very wide scale, possibly even beyond the borders of South Africa.

“It is in the process of implementing a ‘One Family One Garden’ principle, which is seen as crucial in a future that is threatened by rising temperatures, water shortages, rising food prices and growing unemployment, all of which contribute to increasing levels of civil unrest, crime, and violence,” said Kinsey.

The project contributes to various aspects of the United Nations Sustainable Development goals and supports the National Development Plan which is no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, gender equality, decent work and economic growth and sustainable cities and communities.

Kinsey said the project seeks to bring individuals, community, business leaders and other key roleplayers together with interested parties within the KwaNzimakwe Traditional Authority area (in the Ugu District within the Ray Nkonyeni Local municipality) and neighbouring communities to work together with the common vision of developing sustainable, healthy food security through the establishment of ‘foodscape’ gardens using natural, organic and permaculture farming methods.

Kinsey has visited many women who are growing fruit and vegetable gardens despite many challenges.
Thembi Mxadi and her daughter Ntombifuti, a talented dressmaker at Kwa Mothoayingeni are part of a group of women of their ‘One Family One Garden ‘ initiative.

Kinsey said their bountiful fruit and vegetable garden was wonderful to see as their determination and dedication go a long way in helping them achieve this with the challenges they face of; no running water, no fencing to keep rogue animals from eating their crops and the many mouths they need to try feed from these gardens.

Another success story is of Gertrude Nqobo’s garden in KwaNzimakwe. She feeds a family of six and looks after the garden herself with some help from her husband.

She was assisted by Khula Kanyekanye with seeds, seedlings and training by Matt Kroll from Vuka Valley Eco Living.
Gertude is also looking at developing a further area but also has a problem with chickens and is looking for assistance with fencing.

Another woman in KwaNzimakwe is Glades Dunjana who is one of the Khula Kanyekanye group of food gardeners. She has used old roof sheeting to protect her garden from roaming chickens and goats.
Kinsey says she needs more fencing to expand her garden.

“Water is also a major challenge as she has no regular supply. Ma Dunjana has managed to produce enough seedlings to sell to other vegetable growers,” she said.

If you or your business are able to assist with fencing, tanks and other needs contact Jeanne-Louise on 083 4301258.

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