VRYGROND – Seven community gardens were launched on Mandela Day as part of an initiative aimed at promoting food security, community empowerment and self-reliance.
The launch brought together 67 community members, who were encouraged and empowered to take up vegetable gardening and make productive use of available land. The initiative was led by the Robert Sobukwe Town Community Development Forum formerly known as the Robert Sobukwe Town Steering Committee and Shashemane Hub, in collaboration with Dr. Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, the Department of Agriculture, SANParks, Sarah Baartman District Municipality, SAPS, the Department of Health and community members.
The Robert Sobukwe Town Community Development Forum identified the 7 Community gardens as part of their 67 minutes for Mandela Day. these gardens were established to feed 67 households within the Vrygrond informal settlement. This initiative was brought to life by the need for food security, self-reliance, healthy communities and the overall establishment of a drug-free future for all.
Shashemane Hub Director Roshida Elias said the gardens were bringing residents together and encouraging communities to take responsibility for improving their own livelihoods. “People do not just sit down and wait for government to do things for them,” said Elias, explaining that residents had started backyard vegetable gardens to promote food security. She said Shashemane Hub also serves as an educational space where residents can learn about land rights and service-delivery issues. Elias encouraged communities and leaders to engage through dialogue rather than destructive protests.
Dr. Beyers Naudé Local Municipality Mayor Willem Safers said the launch represented more than simply planting vegetables.“Today is about far more than planting seeds; it is about planting hope, restoring dignity and building self-reliant communities.”
The initiative formed part of the 67 minutes for dignity and hope in honour of the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela. The Sunrise Garden has already been registered and its members have begun receiving training. Shashemane Hub has also established poultry and piggery projects, while several families have started their own backyard vegetable gardens.
The organisers hope the initiative will encourage households, schools, churches and community organisations to participate in building stronger and more food-secure communities.
