NPO continues to empower the community
Blue Green South Africa (BGSA) recently empowered members from the Community Workers Programme (CWP) with food gardening skills. It has been less than a month and they, too, are already empowering those within the community.
Blue Green South Africa (BGSA) recently empowered members from the Community Workers Programme (CWP) with food gardening skills. It has been less than a month and they, too, are already empowering those within the community.
More than six years ago, Mbuyiselo Jerry Mngxitama (53) from Ikageng took the initiative to grow his own vegetables in his backyard. It didn’t take long before more and more of his neighbours came to his house to ask for vegetables. As time passed, he thought it would be an even better idea if his neighbours could each have their own gardens.
In 2015, he founded an NPO, BGSA, which helps provide seeds to underprivileged households. They also teach people various methods of creating, planting and maintaining a vegetable garden.
“We collect seeds and soil from our own pocket and give them to underprivileged households to start their own gardens,” Jerry shared.
BGSA recently assisted people from the community workers programme (CWP) with seeds and provided them with training. In less than a month, the workers have started sharing their new-found skills with more people.
One such worker, Dimakatso Selogiloe (52) from ward 27 in Ikageng, is particularly excited to share her knowledge. “To be quite honest, when I first learnt about food gardens, I was completely clueless. I am always amazed by how much we have learnt in such a short time. We are now even able to help and teach others,” she said.
Dimakatso says the entire experience has given her a sense of responsibility and also taught her patience.
“At first, I would just dig wherever I could and plant carelessly. But Jerry taught us that the soil first needs to be prepared and that all seeds need to be planted carefully. In a sense, it’s quite therapeutic,” she laughed.
“Many families in Ikageng are in great need of food, especially with the pandemic,” said Jerry.
The Covid-19 pandemic should encourage people to start their own gardens. When the pandemic struck, many were left without jobs and mouths to feed. Those with vegetable gardens could survive during these unforeseen circumstances, while many could not afford food.
“Having a food garden teaches our children the importance of saving money and also producing fresh produce at a young age,” Jerry added.
The sad reality is that BGSA is in desperate need of funding to keep the NPO going. Once he has raised enough money, Jerry wants to move his company to a designated nursery, which would be a much more “professional” space for his business. He would be able to produce in larger quantities, store more stock and, eventually, create employment.
“Our goal is to take our NPO nationally. I am passionate about food gardens and would like to see many other South Africans grow their own food within the next few years,” Jerry concluded.
For more information or to support this initiative, contact Jerry at 061 180 1385.
