Thieves raid community garden on The Bluff
Volunteers who tend to the vegetable garden are appealing for sponsors to erect a fence around the garden.
DESPITE being raided by thieves who steal crops while the area isn’t being watched, the Bluff Community Garden, situated at the rear of the Bluff showgrounds in Tara Road, still has a few vegetables left.
Volunteers who created the garden called on the community to assist by acting as a watchdog for the garden earlier this year, and have, once again, fallen victim to crime.
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The garden benefits hundreds of people via feeding projects, and the crops, which include cabbage, carrots, spinach, chillies, peppers, lettuce, pumpkin and butternut, spring onions, Chinese cabbage and Nigerian spinach, have been raided by thieves.
The large JoJo tanks placed in the garden were also stolen.
Volunteer farmers, who founded and tend to the garden, appeal for sponsors to erect a fence around the garden to prevent thieves from gaining access to the lush, organic vegetables.
Liziwe Mkhulisi, who is one of the volunteer gardeners, said the once flourishing garden was for the whole community as no individual owns it, and it belongs to the community.
“The gardens remain exposed to theft of all the hard work by our volunteers, which now seems fruitless. We are responsible for clearing the bush, toiling and nourishing the soil and growing a variety of crops which sustain various feeding projects in and around the community.
“We appeal to residents to stop stealing and rather than being thieves, ask for or offer to buy the vegetables.
“Our main appeal is for a sponsor to donate a fence so the area can be safeguarded. We also invite residents to join in planting and maintaining the area so that they, too, can benefit from the vast space that is available surrounding the existing garden.
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“Volunteers are welcome to plant and grow vegetables for themselves, as well as for sharing with others, such as local soup kitchens, churches or homes for the aged. We also want to warn children against vandalising the crops. Parents need to teach their children about the value of this project so this can be curbed,” said Mkhulisi.
To donate, volunteer or get involved in the garden, contact Liziwe Mkhulisi on 061 314 9772 or Zoë Solomon on 073 027 5432.
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