Gardener ‘Green Fingers’ farms a food fortune for families
Standing in the garden, Cyril proudly shows off the shelter he erected over the vegetable beds and says he is continuing something of a tradition at the centre.
In today’s modern era, gardening is rarely viewed as a lucrative career.
The word ‘green’ may be in vogue as an environmental trend, but still for many, dirt under the fingernails and mud on the knees is hardly a career choice.
Cyril Mthokozisi Tshabalala (24) however, chooses to look beyond what the eye can see and has rather turned his attention to what grows beneath the ground.
He sincerely believes gardening is like planting a seed, nurturing it properly, with the harvest of experience being plentiful. For now, his harvest fortunately benefits the Newcastle Crisis Centre. Grass, nature and soil are his ‘thing’, he states matter-of-factly.
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Since taking up a gardening post at the centre in February this year, Cyril has cultivated cherry tomatoes, beans, spinach, butternut and beetroot, with parsley, daisies, radishes and coriander ready to plant.
Standing in the garden, Cyril proudly shows off the shelter he erected over the vegetable beds and says he is continuing something of a tradition at the centre.
“I’m here as a gardener to gain experience. I want to make something of my life and that’s my goal – to become more in the future.”
Although Cyril’s focus in tending flowers and cultivating veggies was first to gain experience, his enthusiasm has earned him the nickname ‘Green Fingers’ and he is now adored by the centre’s staff and residents.
He loves his nickname: “It describes some of who I am.”
Cyril says he was warmly welcomed at the Crisis Centre.
“We are more like family who look out for each other,” he explains with a wry smile. “I’m like the little brother of the house.”
In May this year, VESCO sent him on a hydroponic agricultural course in Madadeni as part of its Thusong Projects outreach programme, much to Cyril’s delight.
“We learned non-harmful ways to grow vegetables, how to correctly fertilise soil and much more.”
Cyril received a certificate after completing the course and can now show off his new found knowledge with trenched beds and other techniques he uses to mitigate water wastage.
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“There are many steps we can take each day to better ourselves,” he concludes sagely.
The man behind the vegetable garden:
Cyril was born in oSizweni and grew up in Paradise. He completed his education at S E Vawda Primary School and Lincoln Heights Secondary School. He works to support a child but also wants to increase his own measure of worth.
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