If one ventures into the heart of Clairwood, you will be pleasantly surprised by the sight of fresh green veggies and herbs. This is the labour of love of local community members who have volunteered their time and energy to learn the art of growing and sustaining a vegetable garden.
The project is part of the “One home one garden” project initiated by the EThekwini Municipalities’ South Durban Basin Area Based Management office in partnership with Non Profit Organisation, ELET.
Residents and home gardeners were recently invited to a workshop and meeting at the Cherry Road site to discuss progress, form a committee and participate in a demonstration on care and Propagation of plants.
Local community members were excited with their efforts and thrilled that their first batch of vegetables are going to ready for sale to the public soon.
Mervyn Ogle, from ELET said that he was pleased with the progress of the project thus far, and wanted to thank local community members for participating in the project. “Local community leaders too have supported and contributed to the success of the project. ”
He said further that a local committee was elected that would deal with day to day issues faced on site. The committee comprises: Pastor Mhize – ELET, Pravin Nanookfrom the Clairwood Social Forum who will oversee the gardens’ daily activities, Sidney Govindasamy from the Social Forum, Kista Naidoo and Rishi Singh from the ClairwoodRate Payers Association and 1 gardener.
Pastor Mkhize from ELET,who has worked hard in imparting his skills and knowledge to the gardners,said ” I am sure that this community garden will be extremely successful in sustaining itself as the first batch of vegetables are sold, more seedlings and compost will be purchased.”
South Durban Basin Social Development Manager, Eurakha Singh said: “whilst these projects are easy to set up, the challenge lies in sustaining and keeping them going. The plan into the future is to organize workers who are willing to participate, into co-operatives, teach them some financial management and bookkeeping skills, so that they are nudged into moving from simple vegetable growing to becoming self sustaining business ventures. That is the ideal”
