Natural farming techniques are now used in 16 informal settlements in the Western Cape
Soil for Life runs the Home Food Gardening Programme, a programme where gardeners teach people in townships how to use natural farming techniques to grow and manage their own food. They have been running the programme since 2002 and are now in 16 informal settlements in the Western Cape.
Cindy Buske says that the primary focus is to teach people how to grow their own food using the available spaces in their area. “We encourage people to grow everywhere they can. When you go into the townships, you see how they’ve used available space — there will be a small patch of ground in an alleyway, and then above that, you see wall-space being used as vertical gardens or old tyres that have been used for plants on a shack roof.”
The programme takes place in areas that lack basic service delivery, sanitation and electricity. Often these communities have high levels of food insecurity, crime and gangsterism.
“When we are there, anyone who shows an interest can join. Those with exceptional talent are put into the trainer programme.” Twice a year, a group of 12 to 15 people are put through a 12-week course. After the course, trainers and assistant trainers work in the areas as support field staff. “First and foremost, it’s about putting food on the table. But we also teach a health and wellness programme, teaching people to use grown food to address health concerns. We also promote a ‘nothing to waste’ approach — how to turn each part of the plant into food, from the seeds, flowers and stems — as well as how to forage for general weeds that can be incorporated into meals.”
Benefactors also learn how to make compost, propagate seeds, build soil fertility, save water and recycle organic waste in their own homes.
“The truly gifted gardeners will have surplus. We teach courses on how to make jams and pickles.”
The new soils are high yielding, and the food is packed with nutrition. The Home Food Gardening Programme also assists those who would like to use their home gardens as small businesses. Socioeconomic changes give rise to an improvement in overall self-esteem and a better lifestyle.
So far, over 1 000 of the 1 800 people trained are still actively involved in food production and related industries. One of the biggest reasons for the success of programme is the ongoing support of the field staff.
“The teams go into the townships and provide encouragement and support. We give a very high level of follow-up and support, with up to four years in the training programme,” says Buske.