Perma-culture trainees to be awarded

Sixty-eight perma-culture trainees are expected to be awarded certificates on Friday, 13 October, for completing their week-long training on the method of organic farming.

The training was facilitated by the NPO Inkanyamba Development Trust (IDT), working with the African Conservation Trust (ACT).

It forms part of a larger Presidential Employment Stimulus, Social Employment Fund (SEF) programme which aims to provide temporary employment to 50 000 people under the theme ‘Work for the common good’. The SEF is managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

The IDT and ACT have, since July last year, worked on a project that promotes one garden, one home in Dukuduku, Khula Village, Zwenelisha and Khayelisha near St Lucia.

IDT’s Ndumiso Mhlongo said the project is about food security and with 144 foot soldiers, vegetable gardens are planted in these areas and their produce is donated to local orphanages, creches and impoverished families or households.

“We also provide a community service by visiting homes that need an extra hand, especially where only the elderly live. We help with cleaning and washing laundry, and sometimes leave donations such as groceries,” said Mhlongo.

The 68 people who will complete their training on Friday were taught various things about perma-culture, including how to effectively start a garden with a limited water supply.

“This is crucial considering that in our area, water supply is scarce,” said Mhlongo.

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