There is food popping up everywhere in Mpophomeni. We took a walk to visit some gardens.
Ma Zuma’s colourful garden is lovely
The pigeons Ma Zuma feeds everyday are very happy with their green home.
Ntombenhle can’t resist giving some advice!
Nelly’s pumpkin is hiding
The garden beside the tuck shop
Baba Gwamande’s Garden. He says “These wonderful ideas work well with us elderly people. We need to eat well and stay healthy. I love to walk around helping others in their gardens, it gives me strength and the reason to face another beautiful day.”
A blue house with pumpkins
Ms Magoza is enjoying her garden. “I am 73 years old and am not well. Since this Angel came into my life, things are better. Now I am back where I used to be – growing food using umquba (manure). Ntombenhle told me what to plant and to mix the flowers in – it is so beautiful. I am very proud of who I have become in my old age. I used to think it was all over, I was just waiting to die.”
a tiny new garden in a backyard
These ladies are proud of their efforts
Sthembile Mbanjwa’s garden is looking great!
Sthembile says “I am so grateful to be one of the people who learn from the best. My father used to plant our garden, but after he died the garden stay still. One day Ntombenhle pass by and ask why we don’t make this garden good. I told her I don’t know how to start. She just arrived on Friday with the tools and said let’s do it. She showed me how and I love it. We harvest a lot and we save some seeds for next year. Hurray!”
Baba Shelembe: “Our garden is now waterwise. We water only once or twice a week because of this new thing of mulching, saving water and energy. I am old, but I learn. It works wonders.”
Mamsy Ntombela: “My garden is so small and with a few flowers only. Ntombenhle came one morning with her spade, rake and fork and said let’s start to make a veggie garden. We took some of the flowers out and gave them to our neighbours and in between we planted veggies. Yoooh, we did it, now there is no turning back – lots of spinach, peppers, chillies and Chinese cabbage in a small space – it works!”
Ntombenhle concludes: “Permaculture gardens can do many things to uplift the community. I am concerned about my community and would like to address the issues they face in a practical and sustainable way. This is also our chance to show them how to recycle, save water, eat healthily, make money, improve the environment and to teach young people about Values. This is an ongoing development programme where skills learnt will be passed to others to uplift everyone in the long term.”
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