Across South Africa, small pockets of green hope are rewriting the story of hunger, one harvest at a time. From city centres and rooftops, to rural villages and township corners, schoolyards and church plots, neighbours are joining hands to grow food and friendships.
Shoprite is shining a light on community gardens through the inaugural Act For Change Food Garden Competition, a national celebration of these local heroes growing change from the ground up.
“With collective prizes of R1 million in the form of support tailored to each garden’s needs, this competition aims to recognise community food gardens’ contribution to local nutrition, environmental sustainability, and community upliftment.
“And beyond simply acknowledging their efforts, the competition sets out to join hands with these gardens, helping them grow stronger and make an even greater impact in their communities,” the company said in a statement.
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Celebrating community upliftment
Sanjeev Raghubir, chief sustainability officer at the Shoprite Group, said Shoprite has invested in almost 300 community gardens over the past decade as part of its commitment to tackling food insecurity and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
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“Together, these gardens produced over 106 000kg of fresh produce last year. But they do more than put affordable food on the table. They also help people develop agricultural skills and earn an income by selling surplus produce.
“We believe that lasting change starts at the grassroots. By investing in community food gardens, Shoprite is not only increasing access to fresh, nutritious produce but also equipping local communities with skills and opportunities,” Raghubir said.
The Act For Change Food Garden Competition is open to all community gardens, whether independently run or currently receiving support from any local businesses in SA that support food gardens.
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A lasting solution against hunger
According to the recently published South African Food Security Index 2025, food access and affordability remain among the country’s most pressing challenges. Even though the index improved from 44.9 in 2023 to 56.5 in 2025, millions of households still struggle to access nutritious food.
“Community gardens offer a powerful solution. They don’t just feed people, they uplift them. These gardens increase access to fresh produce, build local skills, and foster shared responsibility, helping communities grow stronger,” Shoprite stated.
The Dikonyana Community-Based Care Centre in Mangaung’s Namibia Square is more than a garden; it’s a lifeline. The garden was founded by Selina Majafi in 2004 and then suffered a setback.
However, in 2012, Majafi revived the project with support from Shoprite and the Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool. The garden now has fencing, shade netting, and a water-harvesting system, feeding over 130 people five days a week.
“The support from the community and partners like Shoprite keeps me going. Seeing the joy on people’s faces reminds me that our work truly matters,” Majafi said.
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