Since the Covid-19 pandemic and the news of a national lockdown there has not been much to be positive about.
South Africa and the rest of the world have been encouraged to work together to achieve a common goal and defeat the virus.
A perfect example of hands uniting is in a small community in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, who planted a seed of hope when they started a community garden. The group started the initiative called the New Horizon Feeding Scheme.
New Horizon feeding scheme community garden in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain. Picture: Brendan Magaar
On seeing the need three years ago, they contacted the City of Cape Town for permission to make use of the land and turn it into a garden.
They then teamed up with Grove Farms which supplied seedlings and compost and the necessary tools to start the project.
“The children were involved from the start, which was very important for us. They are the ones that planted the first seedlings,” said Nicky Pretorius, who is overseeing the project.
Besides providing much-needed food, the project has young children from the area busying themselves in the garden, learning various techniques and skills and also learning how to identify the different plants.
Nicky Pretorius with members of the feeding scheme community garden. Picture: Brendan Magaar
“We teach the children how to grow their own food organically.
We need to know what we are consuming. For me, it is about teaching the kids to fish instead of just giving them the fish,” said Bronwyn Paulsen, community member and contributor to the garden.
“Here we are also teaching the children to take ownership of and appreciate where our food comes from. We cannot just go to the shop and buy food and not know what we are consuming,” said Paulsen.
“I love working in the garden. I enjoy watering the plants. It always makes me happy. It is nice to grow plants and care for it”, said 14-year-old Ashley Kasper.
Britney Kasper, 10, waters the garden with her sister Courtney Kasper, 12. Brendan Magaar African News Agency (ANA)
The garden is a beacon of hope for many in an area where at times there is absolutely nothing to eat in many of the homes. That which is harvested from the garden was used or given to the community.
Pretorius said: “We help each other and uplift one another. We cannot have all this knowledge and not share what we know with others to enrich our community, because thereby you also enrich yourself.”