Harvest of Hope recently toured several of the community vegetable gardens it supports across Johannesburg, highlighting the impact of small-scale food production in schools, homes and public spaces.

The tour began at Guild Cottage in Parktown, where youth and childcare worker Emmelina Molefe has established a productive garden in just a few months. Drawing on childhood experience and a natural talent for gardening, she has created a space that now supplies fresh vegetables to the home’s kitchen.

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In Parkwood, Ara Molapa, a nursery school assistant at Jan Cilliers Primary School, has transformed a once-unused corner of the school grounds into a flourishing garden. The produce is shared among staff members, providing fresh food and promoting sustainability.

Another stop was a community garden in Killarney, tended by Nolicent Ntete. Located in a public park, the peaceful space produces vegetables that are in high demand among nearby residents.

At the Abram Kriel Bambanani Maria Kloppers Campus in Observatory, trained agriculturist Veli Nkabinde works alongside resident boys to grow spinach, tomatoes, cabbage, kale, brinjals and chillies.

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The garden already supplies all the kitchen’s spinach needs, while a new composting system is being developed for future planting.

The final visit was to the NG Kerk Andrew Murray congregation in Orchards, where a three-and-a-half-year-old garden supports a soup kitchen and mentors more than 15 community members in growing their own vegetables.

Harvest of Hope founder Derek Cheesman said the organisation was seeking new community gardens to support. “We provide seedlings, seeds and advice to schools, old age homes and children’s homes, and aim to expand by another three to four establishments this year,” he said.

Those interested in starting a garden or volunteering can contact Cheesman on 082 576 6778 or dcheesman@megaweb.co.za.

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