Pensioner takes care of the environment
“The vegetable garden was also a way of preventing illegal dumping next to our houses,”
A pensioner from Mamelodi has been growing vegetables for more than three decades.
Richard Lerumo (73) from Mamelodi west, section D1, said he saw an open veld next to a stream flowing into Moretele river, which is not far from his house, slowly turning into an illegal dumping side.
He said being a specialist in gardening he decided to turn the site into a vegetable garden to benefit everyone in the community.
“The vegetable garden was also way of preventing illegal dumping next to our houses,” said Lerumo.
He named the vegetable garden Tswelopele Community Gardening.
Lerumo plants anything from cabbage, carrots, spring onions, watermelons, tomatoes, potatoes, etc.
The pensioner sells the veggies to the community for a reasonable price.
Lerumo said it feels good to put on the table food for his family and equally seeing his neighbours not going to sleep with empty stomachs.
However, his challenge is the people who continue to litter next to the garden.
He pleaded with the public to stop littering because it makes his daily job of tending to the garden hard.
The issue of cows and goats roaming the streets of Mamelodi is also a challenge as they damage his garden.
“I can no longer do this alone. I am getting old and can no longer go fetch water for his garden at the small stream,” said Lerumo.
He said in the past he was able to lift water buckets without back pains and he was able to chase away the animals.
“Aging is making things difficult. It is about time the youth come on board and assist with the garden,” he added.
Lerumo wants to share his gardening skills with the youth of Mamelodi.
He believes water is life and polluting the river takes it away. He says that with pollution people can no longer live in a healthy environment and get fresh vegetables.
“I am proud that I was able to prevent pollution at our river,” said Lerumo.
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My dream in life was to promote a healthy lifestyle and take care of our environment.
Currently, he has two helpers from the community who always assist when they have time.
He urged the youth to stand up and take charge of their environment.
Lerumo pleaded with anyone who can help with a water pump to get water from the river for his garden.
He was also struggling with gardening tools, gloves and seeds to make his garden bigger.
Anyone who wishes to help Richard Lerumo can contact him on 072-717-9653.
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