It was the sight of ever increasing dumping grounds, unkempt open spaces and unemployment which urged a group of around 200 Duncan Village residents to band together to clean up the area.
Convening under the title of Likhwezi Eli (a shining star), the group of volunteers rolled up their sleeves and began by cleaning up a bushy area outside Duncan Village Day Hospital.
After felling trees and removing weeds, the group then contributed R5 each towards buying seeds.
In neat rows in the ground, carrots, turnips, beetroot and cabbage are now planted.
Once that was complete, project manager Yoliswa Siqhume said they moved onto another bushy area in front of Sinovuyo High School.
Here Siqhume said they planted lettuce, beetroot and turnips. Water is drawn from a nearby dam.
Once the vegetables are harvested, a vegetable stall will open outside the local shopping centre, with members of the group manning in shifts.
“We are tired of dealing with unemployment as well as living in a disgusting area, so one day we just decided to get up and do something about it,” Siqhume said.
“I spoke to a few people in my street and asked them if they would be interested and once they agreed, I got a few other people together and we started on this project. It has been four months now.
“This project will not only beautify the area but it will give us something to do, which we hope will generate enough income for us to feed our families.”
One of the few men in the group, Zolani Saliwa, said the project was an upliftment project which would benefit everyone in the area.
“People were so happy when they saw us removing the bush outside the clinic. Nurses and patients from the clinic were complaining about being robbed by criminals who used the bush as a hide out,” Saliwa said.
Nonzame Sihunu said added that, since joining, she has been able to feed her children.
“We found a spot were we are able to pick imifino (wild herbs) which we take home to feed our families,” she said.
Once both gardens are thriving, Siqhume said they would move out to clean the dumping grounds and beautify other areas within the township.
“What we need now are tools and money to buy seeds and flowers,” she said.
“But apart from everything, we have so much fun here. We get an opportunity to laugh which helps us forget our horrible situations at home.” — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
Clean up leads to feeding of community
Convening under the title of Likhwezi Eli (a shining star), the group of volunteers rolled up their sleeves and began by cleaning up a bushy area outside Duncan Village Day Hospital.
After felling trees and removing weeds, the group then contributed R5 each towards buying seeds.
In neat rows in the ground, carrots, turnips, beetroot and cabbage are now planted.
Once that was complete, project manager Yoliswa Siqhume said they moved onto another bushy area in front of Sinovuyo High School.
Here Siqhume said they planted lettuce, beetroot and turnips. Water is drawn from a nearby dam.
Once the vegetables are harvested, a vegetable stall will open outside the local shopping centre, with members of the group manning in shifts.
“We are tired of dealing with unemployment as well as living in a disgusting area, so one day we just decided to get up and do something about it,” Siqhume said.
“I spoke to a few people in my street and asked them if they would be interested and once they agreed, I got a few other people together and we started on this project. It has been four months now.
“This project will not only beautify the area but it will give us something to do, which we hope will generate enough income for us to feed our families.”
One of the few men in the group, Zolani Saliwa, said the project was an upliftment project which would benefit everyone in the area.
“People were so happy when they saw us removing the bush outside the clinic. Nurses and patients from the clinic were complaining about being robbed by criminals who used the bush as a hide out,” Saliwa said.
Nonzame Sihunu said added that, since joining, she has been able to feed her children.
“We found a spot were we are able to pick imifino (wild herbs) which we take home to feed our families,” she said.
Once both gardens are thriving, Siqhume said they would move out to clean the dumping grounds and beautify other areas within the township.
“What we need now are tools and money to buy seeds and flowers,” she said.
“But apart from everything, we have so much fun here. We get an opportunity to laugh which helps us forget our horrible situations at home.” — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
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