What used to be an overgrown hectare of unused land at Emthaleni Primary School at Macambini, Mandeni is now a beautiful vegetable garden that helps with the maintenance of a school, funds school events and supports child-headed homes.
The desire of principal Bonga Mathonsi to become more independent is proving infectious, as many of the 340 pupils of the school involved in the agricultural project have shown an interest in agriculture as a career.
“When I arrived here, I presented the idea to farm the vacant land to the community, but they were not interested. I then thought that maybe I should make use of the land to assist the school,” said Mathonsi.
Together with two teachers, Sindisiwe Shange and Zandile Goqo, he decided to use their own money to start the garden.
The school now has a gardening period, giving every child a chance to tend the vegetables, including cabbages, carrots, spinach, butternuts and green beans.
“We have recently started planting oyster mushrooms and all our vegetables bought by Enterprise iLembe’s school feeding programme. The garden also helps us when the people who deliver food to the school are delayed, we can always go to the garden and find something to cook for the children,” said Mathonsi.
Locals also buy vegetables from the school and the income is used to buy school uniforms for pupils who cannot afford them.
The vegetables are also given to pupils who live in child-headed families, putting food on the table.
Through the Durban University of Technology Enactus programme, the school also has a greenhouse made out of two litre soft drink bottles.
The greenhouse has become a personal project for grade seven pupil Nkosikhona Mnyandu (16). Mnyandu said since he started working at the greenhouse he had fallen in love with agriculture.
“Through my involvement in the garden and greenhouse, I am now sure that I after matriculate I will go into agriculture. Besides that, I am now my granny’s favourite grandson, because I always help her with the garden at home,” he said.
The headmaster said it gave him great satisfaction to raise funds for the school, while instilling a passion for agriculture in the pupils.
Mathonsi said their main challenge was having only one irrigation pipe.
“Fortunately we have a borehole at the school. We just need those pipes to get the water where it is needed.”
While the agricultural projects have been successful, the school is facing a crisis with its sewer system,
“I have written to the department of education, asking for help.
“I understand that with the government things takes time.
“But looking at the condition of the toilets that are regularly blocked and having to deal with burst pipes, the health of the pupils is at risk.
“Therefore I am calling for help from anyone who can assist us fix our sewer system,” said Mathonsi.
Download The North Coast Courier mobile app, now available free from the Apple iStore and on Google Play, for IOS and Android phones.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
