Trash to treasure: Khayelitsha couple turns dumpsite into garden

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure: is exactly the case for a Khayelitsha couple who turned a dumpsite into a community garden.

Local Khayelitsha couple, Xolani Mbokodi and his wife Vuyokazi Vapi, are growing vegetables on a small plot next to their home to help feed their family and local soup kitchen. According to Groundup, the plot, which was once used as a dumpsite, was cleared up by the couple who recognised the potential in it for a garden.

Vegetables save the day in Khayelitsha

Unable to find permanent jobs after the hard lockdown in 2020, the couple began growing spinach, covo, onion, beetroot and potato. They then sell bunches of their produce to residents who can afford it. The little that they make is used for food and transport for their five children.

While Mbokodi is now employed as a security guard in Stellenbosch, unemployed Vapi rises at 5am everyday to tend to the garden.

“It feels good to plant veggies and watch them grow,” said Vapi.

She also teaches aspiring home gardeners how to make seed beds and supplies them with seeds to plant.

“I visit the new gardeners to check how their gardens come along and explain to them how to look after germinating seeds,”

Western Cape government farmer support

Spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Daniel Johnson, say that the department also had a programme to support households wanting to grow produce at home. The Agricultural Producer Support and Development (APSD) Programme was designed to sustainably support mechanisms for new and established farmers, as well as provide advice and facilitate skills development in those farmers.

Alderman Grant Twigg, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management also advises home gardeners to approach their sub-council leaders or call 021-444-8307 for support.

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