Abalimi Bezekhaya trains people to grow vegetables organically, with training costing only R70; they are getting involved in the Cableway Charity Challenge to raise funds to train more people.
Western Cape, South Africa (04 April 2024) – The knowledge to grow food is a simple one to share and so unbelievably life-changing at the same time. The team from Abalimi Bezekhaya have trained hundreds of people to date; equipping people from Nyanga and Khayelitsha with the skills to put food on the table and earn an income in the process.
Based in Nyanga and Khayelitsha, they are able to connect with the communities that need them most. The Abalimi Bezekhaya – Hope of the Nation, teaches people to grow home and community gardens. The organisation was founded in 1982 and has helped people bridge the gap by growing their own food.
The organisation works alongside Ladles of Love’s “Feed the Soil” programme, turning food waste into compost, which then donated to their community farmers to keep their soil nourished so they can continue to grow their harvest.
The participants, once trained in the art of urban farming, are supported through the organisation. Their business opportunities grow just as well as their gardens!
Training is held over 3 days, every two weeks and only costs R70 per person. The training is made affordable as the people who sign up, come from low-income homes. Abalimi Bezekhaya provides support and guidance to make sure the gardeners have success.
“Training is one of the core focus areas for Abalimi as we teach our local communities to grow vegetables organically.
It might not be rocket science, but the trainers at Abalimi know all the tricks on the book to help you start your home or community garden.
We do the 3-day training course every two weeks. This includes theory and practical training, training notes, meals and a certificate of attendance. You even get a start up kit to help you start your own home garden (seeds, seedlings, manure and fertilizer).”
The team have signed up to be a beneficiary for the Cableway Charity Challenge and Asiphe who is part of the organisation, will be taking part. She has committed to doing 3 attempts of the challenge.
“Please help us to bring this training to disadvantaged communities at affordable cost (R70pp) to ensure food security and income generation.
Funding raised through the Cableway Charity Challenge will be used to provide training and support to micro-farmers in the townships in Cape Town.”
Funds raised will not only go towards training, but also towards purchasing tools which will be given to the home gardeners once trained.
How Does the Cableway Charity Challenge Work?
The challenge is to run, jog, stroll and try your best to climb up Platteklip Gorge as many times as your body will let you.
If you’re an individual, you’ve got a full nine days to tackle the climb on repeat. If you’re part of a school or a corporate team, you’ll climb it out on Race Day from sunrise to sunset.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway will transport you back down, so your only mission is to get back up again for as many attempts as you can manage.
Sources: Abalimi Bezekhaya
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