GARDENING in South Africa is a big deal.
It takes care of the vulnerable communities and its impact goes beyond social.
Hence the Shoprite inaugural Act for Change Food Garden Competition is popular countrywide.
To be celebrated on October 18- nationally- the Garden Day, entering its 11th edition, invites South Africans to enjoy the green spaces and the many ways they add to people’s lives.
This year’s theme, “From Garden to Table: Grow, Gather, Celebrate“, puts a particular focus on the food people grow and share.
Now, seven months after winning Shoprite’s inaugural Act for Change Food Garden Competition, six community food gardens are putting their support to work in different ways, and preparing to mark Garden Day.
For the six winners, who were selected from nearly 600 entries and received tailored support worth a combined R1 million, the occasion is also a chance to reflect on what has changed since winning their awards.
“Garden Day is an opportunity to celebrate these six gardens and the work they continue to do in their communities,” says Sanjeev Raghubir, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Shoprite Group.
“It’s fitting that the gardens will mark the day by bringing people together to share food they have grown and spend time in the spaces they have nurtured.”
Three of the six winning gardens are in Gauteng. Third-place winner P Agricultural Group, based in Soweto, says the competition has helped it strengthen production, improve infrastructure and create more opportunities for people to take part.
“Being recognised nationally gives our community confidence,” says gardener Phetole Raseropo.
“People who once saw farming as something that belonged in rural areas are starting to see agriculture as an opportunity for themselves – something they can learn from, earn from and be part of.”
In Limpopo, first-place winner ACFS Khunadi Food Garden in Mogoto Village provides fresh vegetables to local feeding programmes and supports around 50 people each month.
Since the competition, the garden has benefited from a shade-net structure to protect its crops and received agricultural tools that are being used in practical training.
“The support has helped us improve the garden and give young people more practical training,” says Bertha Magoge, Executive Director at ACFS Khunadi Food Garden.
“A group has now completed Plant Production NQF Level 2 training, including hands-on experience using the tools provided through the competition.”
Having an irrigation system installed has been the most significant support for Ngxanga School Gardenwinner in Libode, Eastern Cape.
In Krugersdorp, Hope Park Children’s Health Campus Garden feeds 300 children a day.
“After we were announced as the fourth-place winner, we saw more people start to have faith in what we are doing,” says gardener Betty Homvula.
“We started a second garden, and people and organisations are now asking us to train them to start gardens too.”
On Garden Day, members plan to cook new dishes with people from the community and celebrate what they have achieved during the year.
In Tsakane, sixth-place winner Plenty Green Africa has redesigned its growing space and is putting lessons from training in soil health, pest control and seed sowing into practice.
“For us, Garden Day means celebrating what the garden can become – not only a place to grow food, but a place where people can come together, learn, share knowledge and connect around food,” says gardener Nkululeko Motloung.
The winning gardens are sharing their stories as Shoprite prepares to open entries for the second Act For Change Food Garden Competition on 20 October, giving more community food gardens across South Africa the opportunity to have their work recognised and supported.
For Garden Day, the team plans to encourage more people in the community to get involved in growing food.
Image supplied (A female gardener recorded tending to her garden and looks forward to the national Garden Day on Sunday.)
