Renshia Manual started GrowBox in 2016 out of pure desperation of being unemployed and wanting to put food on the table to feed her family. She started a vegetable garden in her backyard but she soon realised that she was of the fortunate few because people in her community did not have land to grow food and this was the catalyst for GrowBox. About 19 million people are on social grants. That social grant takes care of six, eight, 10 and even 12 people in a household and most of them are unemployed. The grant lasts for about two weeks, and so for the remaining two weeks, people are food insecure and many have no choice but to live off nutritionally inadequate food. About 27% of children suffer from malnutrition up to the age of five. As a social enterprise, GrowBox’s service offering includes a seedlings production nursery that grows vegetables and herb seedlings for the retail sector, supplying government entities in the food security sector, small-scale farmers and growers in residential areas. GrowBox manufactures and supplies wooden veggie gardens. These gardens come fully stocked with the growing medium, and seedlings, in a hassle-free garden setup that is convenient for balcony, patio or concrete spaces. The organisation also facilitates organic and sustainable food gardening workshops together with its partners in the government and corporate sector. These include seed catching, soil nutrition, worm farming, composting, as well as permaculture practices. It also supports and assists with the implementation of school and community food gardens.
Educational Qualifications and Institutions
- Grade 12, Malibu High School
The greatest achievements
- 13 school food gardens established and supported
- 3 135 learners trained in food gardening
- 282 early childhood development centres trained in food gardening
- 1 892 people trained in community food gardening
- Three micro farms established and supported
- 18 micro farm beneficiaries were trained directly and 128 indirectly
During the Covid-19 lockdown, we started the Growbox Urban Farmers Market where we grew the excess vegetable seedlings in the urban farm to be able to supply fresh vegetables to our immediate community during the lockdown. We are currently supplying three feeding kitchens with fresh vegetables weekly. The Urban Farm is also used as a training hub for all our community-based resilience workshops ( food fermentation, soap making, pruning, propagation, medicinal gardening, Indigenous gardening, permaculture, worm farming, composting, water saving, seed saving, and food preservation.)
What advice would you give to future generations?
Food is one of our most vital resources, and caring for how it’s grown and shared shapes the future. Embrace sustainable practices that nourish both people and the planet. By protecting our soils, conserving water and reducing waste, you’re helping to create a healthier world. Innovation is your tool — find new, effective ways to grow food that regenerate our Earth and restore ecosystems. Your actions can lead to a resilient food system, one that sustains communities, honours nature and paves the way for future generations. Keep pushing forward; you are the stewards of tomorrow.