He recently donated cabbage seedlings to twelve schools within the Greater Tzaneen Municipality area.

He also donated seeds to Maria Rakgoale, a subsistent farmer from Dan village and Christ is Lord Ministries in the Maake area.

The Herald visited some of the schools and the church to see how the vegetable gardens are progressing.

Nelson Ramokgola, principal of Joseph Maenetja Primary School, told the Herald that he appreciates the donation by Ramodike as he could see how it has impacted on the school.

“The cabbages are supplementing our feeding scheme and opened our eyes on how important vegetable gardens are,” Ramokgola explained.

Meanwhile general worker and garden overseer of Sekaba Secondary School, Michael Mashabela, said that they were also grateful for the seedlings.

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“We are selling the vegetables to local residents and as a result it brings extra money to the school,” Mashabela said.

Pastor Edward Seloise of Christ is Lord Ministries, said that this has made the church realise that gardens can assist in helping the destitute.

“We will be supplying our members and people who are in need of food, because the pandemic has caused a lot of people to lose their jobs and as a result feeding their families is challenging.”

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Ramodike received the seedlings as part of the Covid-19 relief fund from the Department of Agriculture, Forestries and Fisheries.

In 2013, while he was still a principal for Marumofatse Primary School, he was named a provincial leader by ETV for his contribution to agriculture at that school.

His advice is for schools to start their own vegetable garderns, because it will help them feed even the learners who are without food and to also generate extra income if they can sell the produce to the public.