The KwaZulu-Natal department of agriculture and rural development’s One Home One Garden programme received a significant boost as former Msunduzi mayor, Themba Njilo, rallied the community of KwaMnyandu in Pietermaritzburg to embrace self-sustainability through crop farming.
This initiative, aimed at combating food insecurity and the rising cost of living, gained momentum following a viral video of Njilo showcasing his own thriving backyard garden. The MEC for agriculture and rural development in the province, Super Zuma, visited KwaMnyandu to extend support to families taking strides toward self-reliance through agriculture.
The One Home One Garden programme encourages households to cultivate their own produce, fostering poverty alleviation, job creation, and sustainable incomes in rural areas.
In the widely shared social media video, Njilo encouraged residents to heed Zuma’s call to action by establishing vegetable gardens in their backyards. His own garden, planted with cabbages, beetroot, and spinach, is set to provide fresh produce to the community during the festive season.
Helping to feed a community
Njilo praised Zuma and the department for supplying seedlings, farming implements, and expert training on quality produce production.
“I am most grateful for the support that we have received from the MEC, Super Zuma, and his department,” said Njilo. “All young and old are encouraged to get up and get their hands dirty to feed their families.”
Zuma emphasised the importance of self-sustainability and food security through the One Home One Garden programme. He highlighted the vision to establish agricultural enterprises within rural communities, starting with individual efforts.
Addressing concerns about water availability, the MEC furthermore assured the KwaMnyandu community that the department would work diligently to ensure sufficient water supply for their plants.
Ward councillor Nathi Mbanjwa expressed his satisfaction with the department’s support, acknowledging the transformative impact it would have on the community.
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