Attention broadcasters: English and Afrikaans audio clips from MPP Andricus van der Westhuizen attached. Photos of the oversight visit are attached here and here.
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture, through its rural development entity Casidra, is tackling hunger, supporting 30 community and school food gardens in the Overberg District in the 2021/2022 financial year alone.
This was revealed during an oversight visit by the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.
We visited one such community garden in Caledon, at the Sinobuntu Day Care Centre, which uses the produce to feed the kids at the day care, run a soup kitchen, and also sells off extra produce at affordable prices for the community.
The Department provides training to beneficiaries to make sure they are equipped to make a success of these projects, as well as providing continuous support and expertise to the beneficiaries.
Furthermore, the Department invests significant amounts to get these food gardens up and running, including installing water tanks, shade netting, providing seeds and plants, and conducting soil analysis to ensure that the most appropriate crops are planted. In the case of Sinobuntu, more than R120 000 was initially invested.
Unfortunately, these projects face challenges stemming from theft, necessitating further expenditure to secure them through fencing.
MPP Andricus van der Westhuizen says: “The intense upward pressure on food prices this year means growing your own food is a more important alternative to alleviate hunger in needy communities than ever.
I am especially impressed by the continuous support the Department of Agriculture provides to food gardens, as this leads to a transfer of skills that is valuable in its own right. In tough times it is important for communities to stick together, and where the DA governs we are putting communities in a position where they can uplift themselves.”