In 2022, while working as a general worker at a laundromat, Thembisa Kulana contracted Covid-19. She felt deep uncertainty and fear like never before. Little did she know that her illness would lead to a new path in growing her own food and better health.
“During isolation, I found myself questioning whether I should even return to work,” she recalls. “It felt too risky for my health, especially with the chronic illnesses I live with.”
Fearing for her well-being, Kulana made the difficult decision to resign. Instead, she focused on a simple backyard garden where she planted spinach and spring onions in Khayelitsha, Kuyasa in Cape Town. These vegetables are not sold but rather are used to sustain her and her family.
“I only sell spinach and spring onions on request; otherwise, this garden is for me and my family.”
Soon after, she discovered a farming training programme through Abalimi Bezekhaya and completed their two-week course.
As she recovered from the virus, Kulana began to prioritise her health. What started as a small backyard project became more than just a garden, it was her pathway to a healthier, more balanced life.
By growing her food, she cut down on junk food, improved her family’s diet, and saved on groceries. Most importantly, she saw a transformation in her health, moving from frequent hospital visits due to high blood pressure to a more stable and controlled life.
Discovering sustainable farming techniques
At Abalimi Bezekhaya, the training covers a variety of farming techniques, such as enriching sandy soil, turning vegetable scraps into fertiliser, using herbs and crops to combat pests, and ensuring healthy, rich vegetables throughout the year.
“Before, I used to buy animal manure, and it was expensive,” she says. “Now, I make my own bokashi from vegetable scraps, and it works perfectly with our sandy soil.”
Kulana notes that it can be a bit complicated to transition from farming in the rich soil of the Eastern Cape to the sandy soil of Cape Town. “At least bokashi helps improve soil texture.”
Since the training, she expanded her garden to include carrots, beetroots, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, spinach, mint, rosemary, lettuce, and even pear trees. This decision not only saves her wallet but also stabilises her blood pressure, which used to fluctuate frequently, requiring regular visits to doctors, clinics, or even hospitals.
“Living with chronic illnesses has taught me to put more vegetables in my diet, and I’ve noticed improvement since I started growing my own food.”
She adds that now she only buys vegetables that she can’t grow because of limited space or challenging climate conditions.
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Sharing farming skills
Kulana reflects that spending more time at home made her realise how important it is for older people, especially pensioners and the unemployed, to find meaningful ways to stay engaged. She says farming opportunities, particularly for those over 40, are often limited, leaving many without access to initiatives that could empower them.
“When you’re used to waking up in the morning and coming back home late, it can be stressful to adapt to a new life.”
She wishes there were enough spaces allocated for people like her to grow food for sustenance. She notes that food inflation is unbelievable, and even for those on a pension, the support grant isn’t sufficient.
“I would gladly help anyone who wants to learn about farming if there were space and resources available.”
Kulana also mentions that many kids growing up in suburban areas lack these essential skills, and it would be beneficial for them to learn as well.
“Growing up in rural areas has its perks, like knowing everything your village is doing,” she adds.
She points out that the “it takes a village” mentality has helped many people succeed by learning skills from one another. Kulana dreams of bringing this same spirit to the Cape Flats, creating a community where people uplift and inspire each other, using their skills to grow together.
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