Local organisation converts illegal dumping site into community park
Backyard Farmers was formed in 2020 by three friends to tackle food insecurity, environmental degradation and tourism.
A local organisation in Mamelodi has converted an illegal dumping site into a small community park that it hopes would benefit all the people of Gem Valley.
“We wanted to bring people together,” said Thabang Shongwe of Backyard Farmers.
Backyard Farmers (BYF) was formed in 2020 by three friends to tackle food insecurity, environmental degradation and tourism.
“Our organisation was formed initially with the idea of tackling food insecurity in our communities through initiatives such as backyard gardening as well as skills and seed sharing.”
This initiative encourages community members to have their own backyard gardens. It lets people share and exchange seeds and skills via a WhatsApp group.
BYF also has its own backyard, where it has been planting.
“Unfortunately, due to hardship in terms of water, we don’t produce as much as we would like to.”
The organisation has also started a “smart parks” programme in which it identifies desolate landscapes in communities and transforms them into parks.
“Thus far, we are working on two landscapes in Gem Valley extension 2 and three in Mamelodi East. Mamelodi has become one of the filthiest townships. This pollution is affecting the water quality, residents’ health, the environment and the very air we breathe. It causes much social distress.”
BYF is also promoting tourism at some of the hidden treasures of Mamelodi, its history and its people.
Shongwe said this initiative will help the township’s economy.
BYF has hosted several hikes for Mamelodi youths and was currently planning a camp at Moretele Resort.
One such youth, Rorisang Malefu (21), said BYF has identified a wetland where they carry out their agricultural activities.
“The land is vacant and home to a great biodiversity. It is currently being degraded by deforestation and illegal dumping.
“It is, however, very hard to work on this land, because of water issues even though there is a water stream nearby that we use to water crops using water buckets.
“Using the buckets is unsustainable, alas. We need a water pump to connect to the stream as well as ownership of the land. Then we can achieve our agricultural goals, which are to alleviate food insecurity by supplying institutions that need food the most such as old age homes,” said Malefu.
The organisation desperately needs financial assistance to complete its smart park project.
“We also need funding to continue spreading the message of environmentalism, upgrading desolate landscapes in our communities and exposing the youth to school and work opportunities.
The organisation plans on celebrating the International Day for Water and Forestry by hosting a clean-up campaign at Mams Mall on March 26.
Anyone who wants to help the Backyard Farmers with funds and tools can contact Thabang Shongwe on 062 019 5917.
ALSO READ: Why juicing is good for your teen
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
