Inkosi’s Garden to grow community

With the moon three-quarters full, a huge fire burning and traditional Swazi dancers, Inkosi’s Garden had its official opening last weekend. This venue is on the banks of the Crocodile River, east of Komatipoort and a mere kilometre from the Kruger National Park.

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Inkosi’s Garden is situated on the ancestral land of the Hoyi tribe. It is a place of great heritage and biodiversity in a cultural heartland surrounded by indigenous cultures.

Unfortunately, as beautiful as this area is, there is also an increasing amount of poverty among local communities. Inkosi’s Garden’s aim is to better the life of the community surrounding it and to give local people the opportunity to showcase their talents by creating jobs in an eco-friendly manner.

“In order to secure and preserve the ecological, social and cultural heritage and ensure the innovative green economy, we have decided to create a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) for the Orlando community, which is situated just outside Komatipoort,” said Inkhosikati LaShongwe, president of the NGO.

Inkosi’s main project will be eco-farming, giving opportunities to local volunteers to farm their own vegetables on provided land and to sell them for a profit.
Inkosi made the commitment to buy this produce from the farmers, which will be prepared and cooked by a traditional Swazi cook to be served in the Boma buffet.

Other projects by Inkosi’s Garden include:
• Caring for abandoned and orphaned children. They plan to create a care centre where children can eat, sleep and be safe.
• Starting a traditional dance and singing group that will be trained by professional performers. This will give the younger generations the opportunity to learn their traditions and the meanings behind
the dances.
• Ladies from the community will have a chance to showcase their talents in arts and crafts in local curio shops and at lodges in the Onderberg.
• To run sustainable training workshops for the young people from Orlando. Local lodges will have the opportunity to help, offering practical internships to complete the training.

“The world is changing. Let us help those who are left behind to fight for themselves, those who might still be begging for some mercy to reach their dreams. Let us help Mama Africa stay green and flourish. Let us leave a heritage to remember,” concluded Inkhosikati LaShongwe.

After the speeches were done, guests were treated to a traditional Swazi meal of salad, cabbage, butternut, pap, rice, sheba and impala and cow heel stew.
For more information, contact inkosisgarden@gmail.com or 076-253-1354.