A garden project aimed to help Emshukantambo Secondary’s feeding scheme is also helping give learners a practical experience in the field of agriculture and is gaining momentum.
The initiative is spearheaded by a team of Soweto residents known as the Gandaganda Project, led by Lucky Sithole.
“We started with a small team in December last year. The main aim was to create a garden that can help support the school’s feeding scheme. Sometime after we started, we had people wanting to join in, community members and companies. I think we saw the importance of agriculture last year where everyone had to be home and when the importance of nutritional food was highlighted. If you are growing your own vegetables in your yard then you have access to the most nutritious food very easily,” Sithole explained.
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A crucial aspect of the project was the integration of learners into the field of agriculture. 15-year-old Thando Zondi is among the learners who have taken a keen interest in the project.
“For me, I could say I’m lucky because it’s something that comes from home so I’ve always had that interest in gardening. When the opportunity came up to be part of this project on a school level as well, I decided that I would be involved and we are proud to see where it is today,” Zondi said.
Speaking on behalf of Emshukantmabo, teacher and projects coordinator, Pule Hlahane applauded the Gandaganda Project team and learners.
“The project has gone so well and we have had so many people come on board. At first, it was learners showing interest, but now even their parents have taken an interest in what we are doing here. The commitment shown by lucky and his team, the learners of school and the community members, I just want to say we are so proud,” Hlahane said.
The garden will provide vegetables such a spinach, beetroot and carrots among other vegetables. The Gandaganda team has called on those interested in being a part of the project or who want to support them to visit the Pimville based school and find out more information.
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