Page 5 - LandscapeSA Issue 108

ADVERTORIAl

SIYAKHANA ORGANIC FOOD GARDEN

BY SIpHOKAzI TImAKwE AND SAmANTA STEllI

Rand Water’s environmental brand, Water Wise, has undertaken various research
projects to investigate water saving practices in Gauteng’s urban food gardens. The

purpose of the research is to bring sustainability to food gardens and encourage
gardening communities to take advantage of the opportunities presented by their
unique environments.

t is estimated that by 2050, as much as has been consistency in recognising as the Gauteng Department of Agriculture
67% of the world’s population will live the strengthening of social interactions and Rural Development (GDARD), Wits
Iin urban environments. Gauteng, which amongst gardeners, increased nutrient- University, City of Johannesburg, Economic
is mainly an urbanised province, has had rich food intake, as well as the presented Development, Education and Health, and
an influx of approximately 1.5 million opportunities for formal and informal Social Development”. This signifies the
new residents in 2020 alone. The recent learning known as “learning by doing”. A importance and necessity for collaboration
socio-economic shift exacerbated by great example of an organic food garden in achieving sustainable vegetable gardens
the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa is Siyakhana Organic Food Garden (SOFG) within the city limits.
has triggered the urgency to unlock new located in Johannesburg.
sustainability solutions and implement Despite the many challenges of community
nature-based solutions within our urban Siyakhana is principally a change agent urban food gardens, the reality is that they
environment. for promoting health, transforming should be encouraged and embraced by
communities and enhancing environments. society, government and business alike. The
For many years, South Africa has had One of its primary aims is to be a commercially contribution they make to society’s health
socio-economic challenges such as food viable food garden, while being accessible and wellbeing, to nature based solutions for
insecurity in rural and urban areas, and to the general public. The name Siyakhana our cities and sustainable development goals,
the anticipated poverty percentage is set means ‘building one another’, and the is potentially enormous and beneficial. These
to increase. Studies demonstrate that one food garden has managed to achieve benefits need to be more fully quantified and
of the proposed measures to mitigate the following: transform mind-sets understood by all role players.
food insecurity in urban areas involves the regarding health and nutrition, transform
focus on urban agriculture. Investing in unemployment into entrepreneurial Water conservation education initiatives
community food gardens within the city opportunities and transform entrenched supported by Water Wise include urban
can be a transition program administered attitudes into sustainable practices. food garden projects such as the Kanguru
as one of the sustainable solutions for our Institute for the Disabled in Garthview; the
cities. For this purpose, running an organic Siyakhana’s contribution to society cannot Tshepong Old Age Centre in Sebokeng;
communal food garden addresses the be over-emphasised. It is not only a food the MES Shelter in Johannesburg as well
vulnerability of communities in response garden where you can buy your weekly as various community gardens in the Vaal.
to climate change and many food-related greens, but also a platform for research The Water Wise team has also collaborated
challenges that are faced by urban dwellers, and training. It plays a significant role with the Agricultural Research Council on
which include limited access to nutritious towards the eradication of food insecurity a number of food gardens in Mpumalanga
and safe food. within a marginalised community and Province.
is the epitome of social and economic
Model for urban communal food emancipation. However, Professor Michael For more information, visit the Rand Water
garden Rudolph, director and founder of SOFG, website www.randwater.co.za and click on
Urban agriculture in the form of communal has said that “Siyakhana is viewed as a the Water Wise logo. Alternatively, email us at
food gardens has become a significant model for urban vegetable gardens and waterwise@randwater.co.za or call us at 0860
part of most societies. Despite the debate at this stage it is sustainable as a result of 10 10 60. We also have YouTube, Twitter, and
concerning the benefits of them, there the continuous support from donors such Facebook!

Landscape SA • Issue 108 2021 3