Hope grows in Umasizakhe

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS AND VIDEO - As life continues in Graaff-Reinet under level 3 lockdown, retired nurse Thandeka Majoka (65) is creating hope in her community through vegetable gardens.

"We mustn't wait for handouts from the government," Majoka, who still helps with Covid-19 screenings in town, told the Advertiser in New Location, Umasizakhe.

There, she started a vegetable garden at her home around one month ago, with the hope to expand the project to others. Thus, the NPO Lilithalethu Food Gardening Project was created.

Majoka has since joined forces with neighbours Muriel Tobi, Daniel Ligman, Bonisile Johnson, and Owethu Mfengu, who manage four gardens together. Granddaughter Sinoyolo, a Union learner, helps to water the gardens.

"It's special to see how my own little garden is coming along, and how the plants grow," said Ligman, who is unemployed. "I even talk to the plants, because I believe they are living things, just like people." Ligman's garden boasts tomatoes, peppers, spinach and beans.

His advice to budding gardeners is to believe in their projects.

"I want to build something for our youth," said Tobi. "I want to keep them away from drugs and alcohol."

This project has done just that for Jonson (28), who says gardening keeps him on the straight and narrow. "I've had a love for plants since a young age, and it keeps me out of trouble." He hopes his garden will someday be able to source food for a feeding scheme. "It's tough out there, and many people don't have food."

Ultimately, Majoka would like the project to grow to eight gardens, with dedicated gardeners. She aims to use the food grown to run a soup kitchen and to create jobs in her community by selling the vegetables.

"I hope this project will improve the lives of people, especially young people who are unemployed," Majoka explained. "We want to plough back into our community, transfer skills, and show people what we are capable of."

Anyone who wishes to make donations towards the project through seeds and gardening equipment can contact Majoka on 072 442 1222. The group expressed a specific need for gardening boots and seeds.

Neighbours Muriel Tobi and Thandeka Majoka show the variety of vegetables in one of the gardens.These Umasizakhe residents want to plough back into their community. They are Daniel Ligman, project leader Thandeka Majoka, Muriel Tobi, Bonisile Johnson and Sinoyolo, Majoka's granddaughter. Photos: Paula-Ann Smit