EASTERN CAPE NEWS - Nearly 600 entries from community food gardens across South Africa - from Bolla Tau in Mpumalanga to Gonubie in the Eastern Cape - have been received in the first-ever Act for Change Food Garden Competition by Shoprite.
Launched in October 2025, the competition celebrates community gardens that are not only producing food, but also creating opportunity, transferring skills and building long-term resilience in vulnerable communities.
After a rigorous judging process, the top 10 finalists have been announced.
The selected gardens represent a diverse mix of rural and township initiatives, school-based projects, co-operatives, as well as women- and youth-led programmes.
Collectively, they provide thousands of people with access to fresh produce while promoting environmentally sustainable practices and income generation.
“The judging process considered not only agricultural output but also community reach, sustainability, skills transfer and social impact,” said Sanjeev Raghubir, chief sustainability officer at the Shoprite Group.
“The top 10 gardens exemplify how community-led programmes can ensure access to healthy, nutritious food.”
The 10 finalists are:
- A Spring of Hope Community Eco Hub in Acornfield, Mpumalanga, which has grown from a single borehole into a major rural development hub supporting more than 100 000 beneficiaries through hydroponics, permaculture and enterprise training for women.
- ACFS Khunadi Food Garden in Mogoto Village, Limpopo, which supplies feeding schemes while training women and youth in small-scale farming.
- Agrinode Garden in Bela-Bela, Limpopo, recognised in 2024 with a Best Female Subsistence Farmer award, now supplying vegetables to around 100 households.
- Bafepi Mix Farming and Project in Mahlogo Village, Limpopo, which trains 25 students and donates surplus produce to churches and crèches.
- Food Security Project in Gonubie, Eastern Cape, supporting 162 women with training in organic farming, water preservation and recycling.
- Hope Park Children’s Health Campus Garden in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, feeding over 350 learners and 27 households monthly.
- Ngxanga School Garden in Libode, Eastern Cape, which supports 243 learners and promotes agroecology training.
- P Agricultural Group in Soweto, Gauteng, providing vegetables to more than 150 families each Christmas and hosting farmers’ markets.
- Plenty Green Africa in Tsakane, Gauteng, a youth-led initiative transforming unused urban spaces into productive food hubs.
- SMU Community Garden at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in Ga-Rankuwa, Gauteng, supplying free produce to students in need while offering skills training.
A panel of guest judges - including agricultural entrepreneur Masimbonge Vuma, gardening advocate Mosa Seshoene, urban farming pioneer Ncumisa Mkabile and comedian and broadcaster Angel Campey - will now select six finalists.
The winners will be announced on 10 March at a special awards ceremony in Cape Town.
Prizes valued at R1 million, tailored to each garden’s needs, will be awarded to help them expand their reach and sustain their impact.
“Through the Act for Change Food Garden Project, we are reinforcing our long-term commitment to sustainable interventions that help communities thrive,” Raghubir said.
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