Urban farming is bringing a fresh perspective to Mzansi’s agricultural sector. From community gardens to rooftop farms, urban farmers are proving that cities can be fertile grounds for growing food and creating economic opportunities.
We have collected inspirational stories of urban farmers who have demonstrated true resilience and adaptability in environments where agricultural resources and opportunities are often limited.
Despite facing challenges and setbacks, each of these individuals pursued farming with dedication and passion. Their stories highlight the potential for urban farming to contribute to personal growth, well-being, and sometimes, even mental health.
Meet the woman behind Sandton’s rooftop farm
Meet Zandile Kumalo, the urban farming pioneer turning Sandton’s rooftops green with hydroponics. With Kumalo’s Neighbour Roots farm, fresh produce is just a rooftop away for many restaurants and retailers.
In this article, Kumalo shares why she hardly worries about market access and how her farm saves up to 80% of water compared to conventional farming methods through water recirculation.
She also shares how farmers can explore partnerships with various stakeholders to access resources, funding, and market opportunities for their urban start-ups.
Urban food gardener is aiming for #NewLevels
Growing up in Galeshewe, in Kimberley in the Northern Cape, soccer was Thabang Maloloi’s passion. But it was his mother’s interest in agriculture that planted the seed of his love for farming. Despite challenges in his academic journey, Thabang found his calling in farming and never looked back.
Today, he’s a proud farm manager, proving that sometimes the most unexpected paths lead to the most fulfilling destinations. His story reminds us that it is never too late to discover our passion and purpose.
‘Nubian Queen’ found healing in her urban farm
Susan Granger found healing through urban farming. After experiencing a traumatic event, she turned to gardening as a form of therapy and discovered a newfound passion for cultivating life from the earth.
Her garden in a Midrand estate has an impressive variety of herbs, fruit, vegetables and edible flowers
Given the size of her yard – featuring a double storey house and a swimming pool, truly is a sight to behold. For a newcomer it is a slightly surreal experience. Her journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and that no space is too small.
Urban farming was the saving grace for an unemployed youth
From jobless to urban farming entrepreneur, meet Mosesi Mosesi, an inspiring young man who turned his life around through urban farming.
Just a few years ago, Mosesi was unemployed and searching for a glimmer of hope. Today, he’s the proud owner of New Liff Hydroponic Farm in the heart of Tembisa township in Gauteng, producing fresh, organic produce right.
His journey has not just been about farming – Mosesi’s farm has become a hub for connection and opportunity. Rubbing shoulders with President Cyril Ramaphosa and even Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, his story is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion.
Seeds For Life gives urban farming a new lease
This article highlights how Tanya van Stade started Seeds For Life, as a subsistence gardening project during the Covid-19 pandemic and grew it into a cooperative that grows and sells organic vegetables.
Their success is attributed to their engagement with the local community. By starting with sharing harvests with neighbours, friends, and family, and then expanding to a community vegetable garden, they fostered community involvement and support.
Van Stade’s story underscores their approach to organic farming, one-stop shop for customers exploring urban organic and more.
For the podcast listeners:
Podcast: Urban farming with an organic twist
Listen to the Podcast version of this article here. Tanya van Stade shares her inspiring journey from a simple Covid-19 project to a thriving organic urban farming venture.
Tanya takes us through the evolution of their initiative, from drying seeds in her back garden to cultivating a community vegetable garden that not only sustains but enriches the local community.
She also discusses how her organisation prioritises organic methods and offers insights into their distribution rights on BioAge Certified Organic fertilizers in the Western Cape and Northern Cape regions.
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