PROMOTING food sovereignty in communities, household gardens, or even in garden bags (grow bags) is something Durban North resident Coral Vinsen is passionate about.

At 95, she is using her green-fingered expertise to help others in the hopes of ensuring food security, even in areas where there is little land to propagate.

She recently held a workshop at her home where around 20 people from different backgrounds joined in to learn about plant nutrition, compost making, wormery and slipping and layering.

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She was also helped by one of the participants translating the lessons into isiZulu.

Vinsen, who has been growing vegetables since 1976, used her impressive garden as a backdrop, where she grows a variety of fruits and vegetables.

“In the past I’ve done this informally but the last two years we’ve had this workshop format where we have guest speakers like Jane Troughton from the Durban North Conservancy and Victoria Brennan. We had around 26 people this time around but I’m hoping to host another workshop in June. Securing food sovereignty is something I hope to do.

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“Some of the attendees come from surrounding informal settlements like Briardene, where there isn’t much space to start vegetable gardens. We discussed how to grow their own food using what space they have. As a human rights activist promoting self sustainability is what we should strive towards. One of the things we discussed at the recent workshop is how you can even make a bag garden,” she said.

Vinsen said the feedback from attendees has been positive.

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