Fanyana Nhlapo Clinic to Benefit from Food Gardening
Thabo Motlhabi
“If you want to improve people’s lives quickly, then starting a community food garden is a great place to start.” This message guided the recent community food gardening initiative organized by the West Rand District Municipality Mayor’s office in collaboration with the Fanyane Nhlapo Clinic in Mogale City, Kagiso 2. The event took place on Thursday, November 20, 2024, at the clinic’s previously unused space, transforming it into a hub of learning, planting, and community empowerment.
The primary objective of the food garden is to improve the lives of community members, particularly chronic patients who visit the clinic regularly. The project also aims to alleviate poverty in Kagiso by teaching and empowering residents to grow their own food instead of relying on government support. By promoting the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits, the initiative encourages healthier lifestyles and strong immune systems. Ultimately, the garden is intended to inspire community members to start their own home garden or develop open spaces within their neighborhoods.
As Rand Water Coordinator, Mrs. Mulalo Ramulondi highlighted the significance of the initiative, saying,
“The main objective of the edible food garden is to promote a healthy eating lifestyle and also turn nonfunctional open spaces into edible spaces where ill patients can relate to how vegetable gardens can be used as a practical demonstration to take home and implement in the backyard to supplement food balance nutrition.”
The campaign reinforced the importance of healthy living and responsible use of available resources. Both patients and community members stand to benefit from such programs—provided they take initiative and participate actively.
The West Rand Executive Mayor Alderman Dennis Thabe, PR, and Miss Noluthando Khumalo shared the mayor’s vision and values.
“The Executive Mayor of the West Rand is widely known as the ‘Rural President.'” Planting a food garden in Kagiso 2 aligns with his core values and roots. Small towns are often forgotten, and this initiative reminds us to return to our heritage. A food garden teaches that nourishment is within reach and that our soil is rich and fertile here in the West Rand—it holds the power to feed future generations.”
At the end of the event, Mrs. Ramulondi conducted a hands-on demonstration, teaching attendees how to plant effectively, use compost correctly, and water plants properly. The practical session ensured that participants left equipped with knowledge they could apply in their own home and community gardens.