Tshwane to promote food gardens

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South Africa’s Constitution is one of just 20 in the world that recognise the right to food (File photo)

The latest South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that one in four South Africans reported regularly going hungry. Now, the City of Tshwane is hoping to curb hunger by supporting local communities to grow their own food.

“The city has identified the provision of vegetable gardens as a developmental project and tool to address socio-economic and environmental concern,” said Councillor and Mayoral Committee Member for Agriculture and Environmental Management Petunia Mashaba.

Soshanguve farming cooperative the Mogau Farming And Project Co-operative Limited has already received inputs for a local vegetable garden from the Tshwane Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management.

“We received capacity-building on land preparation, planting, pesticide spraying, weeding, surface irrigation, harvesting and storage,” says cooperative member William Nukery who works in the project located at Lesedi Potlana Primary School. “The project is also aimed at addressing the basic needs for food security…in a format that increases nutrition levels, responsibility and environmental care at the school.”

Lesedi Potlana Primary School Governing Body member Clara Khuma tells OurHealth that the school is proud to have donated land to local community members. The garden already boasts rows of potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, onions and peas.