Community gardens in Cape Town are at the forefront of sustainability, creating platforms for employment and food creation.
Here are some community gardens making an impact in the Mother City and that you should go and check out:
Soil for Life, Constantia
Soil for Life believes in “Building healthy soil, healthy people, and a greener planet.” Their goal is to teach people how to grow food using natural methods, especially in under-resourced communities. The non-profit organisation creatively recycles and upcycles waste materials, either as tools for their gardens or as organic materials for building healthy soil. They also create sustainable community-based networks for sharing, swapping, and bartering. The community-based training and support programme teaches people how to grow food at home or at a community venue such as a school, crèche or church. Training includes 12 sessions, covering topics like gardening and basic health.
Location: Brounger Rd, Sillery, Constantia
Contact: Visit soilforlife.co.za/
Abalimi Bezekhaya Garden Centre, Khayelitsha and Nyanga
Abalimi Bezekhaya, meaning ‘farmers of the home’ in isiXhosa, is a non-profit organisation that supports micro-farmers in the Cape Flats townships to grow vegetables organically. Established in 1982, the aim is to enable locals within the community to grow their own vegetable gardens at home, in community or institutional gardens, and to encourage food security and create livelihoods.
There are two garden centres in Khayelitsha and Nyanga where you can buy seedlings, manure and other plants. The organisation also supports 50 community-based gardens and over 3000 home gardens. Tours are arranged on request and can be tailor-made to guests’ schedules.
Locations: Khayelitsha Garden Centre: E505 Scott Street, Khayelitsha
Nyanga Garden Centre: 673 Sithandatu Ave, Nyanga
Price: Tour prices start from R200
Contact: Visit abalimibezekhaya.org.za/
Juma Art Tours Community Tour, Khayelitsha
Juma Art Tours has established a community experience in Khayelitsha, enabling visitors to engage with locals responsibly while helping to create home gardens. Participants select their seedlings at a community garden centre before they start work on the gardens. These gardens also serve as educational spaces for children, with all harvested vegetables being donated to those in need and some utilised for the weekend children’s programmes. During the tour, visitors can contribute to a mural, prepare, cook, and share a meal with a resident.
Price: The tour starts from R650
Visit: www.jumaarttours.co.za/
The Food Garden Village, Oude Molen Eco Village
When founder Jonno Kennedy created a vegetable garden near his home in 2002, little did he know the impact it would have on the community. One day, he discovered children aged 8 to 10 digging a patch of ground, keen to establish their vegetable garden. This inspired the launch of the Food Garden Project. Despite Jonno’s passing a few years ago, his legacy and commitment to education and sustainability continue.
The urban agricultural project is now affiliated with the occupational therapy department of the Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital and Alexandra Hospital, along with a kids’ programme every Wednesday afternoon. Visitors can join a free tour, exploring different garden styles and the village’s history. The community seed swap project welcomes the public to exchange seeds, and workshops held every Saturday cover topics such as pruning, worm farming, and art.
Location: Oude Molen Cl, Pinelands
Price: Tours are free and must be booked via Kelly at kellymansfield.oudemolen@gmail.com
Donations of R50 and more are also accepted for the workshop. Email kellymansfield.oudemolen@gmail.com to book
Contact: Visit www.oudemolenecovillage.co.za/food-garden-village
SEED, Mitchells Plain
SEED runs from Rocklands Resilience Hub in Mitchells Plain. Here, they demonstrate the principles and practices of Permaculture Design, abundant food systems, appropriate technologies, social innovation, and supporting local entrepreneurship to grow the local green economy. SEED believes that “everybody has the right to belong and thrive.” Their focus is to inspire and equip individuals from marginalised communities with wellbeing and livelihood skills, making them more resilient.
The two-hour Food System Tour delves into organic farming and includes a seasonal plate (lunch) at Marleys Café. Visitors can also shop at the Hill & Gale Nursery for permaculture plants and seedlings.
Location: Rocklands Primary at Capricorn Rd, Mitchells Plain
Price: R300
Contact: Email info@seed.org.za or visit seed.org.za/
City of Cape Town Community Food Garden Project
The City of Cape Town is on a mission to help locals support themselves by providing them with the necessary skills with their Community Food Garden Project. Many of their food garden projects employ Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers from the local community to prepare the area and plant crops. The City then supplies workers with garden tools, protective clothing, seeds/seedlings, compost, food gardening training and governance training, to help them get started.
Contact: Visit bit.ly/43YMSka
The post Community Gardens Lead in Cape Town’s Sustainability Journey first appeared on Cape Town Tourism.