During 2020 and the Covid-19 crisis, led by the vision and inspiration of Thapelo, these five very dedicated young men had the commitment to start a garden at the Sibongile Centre for children with cerebral palsy to provide fresh, healthy organic vegetables to the centre and feed their families. The knowledge and experience of the young men grew rapidly, and so did the garden.
The garden started selling vegetables through the Abalimi Bezekhaya program called “Harvest of Hope”, thus ensuring that the micro farmers could also make a living out of urban farming.
Around March 2022, Uthando discovered the magnificent garden. We introduced a local tour operator Timeless Africa Safaris to the garden in November 2022, and they subsequently adopted the garden with monthly financial support for their efforts and raised awareness of the garden.
During July 2023, Uthando hosted a family from Canada, and one of the projects visited was Feed the Khaltsha; the family wrote after the excursion, “This has been a life-changing experience for our family. We can see who are the people that are doing amazing work to help South Africans”.
The family also made a generous donation to Uthando, which was split between the five projects they visited during the excursion. The guys from Feed the Kaltsha invested the money into their garden, and the letter they wrote to the family is truly heartwarming and reflective of the power of tourism to impact change and improve lives at a grassroots level.
CEO of Timeless Africa Safaris, Marco van Embden, sent a newsletter out to their clients with the following note :
“The organic garden in Khayelitsha, which we support in your name as a valued Africa Ambassador, is thriving... Last week, Casey and my granddaughters went for a visit to Feed the Khaltsha... she said: 'It was incredible to see how much the garden has grown and expanded, how passionate these young entrepreneurs are, and what a brilliant job they are doing for themselves and their community.'
2020
Land Acquisition:
Secured land suitable for farming. This involved purchasing or leasing farmland, securing permits or licenses, and ensuring the land meets the necessary requirements for agricultural activities.
Infrastructure Development:
Developed essential infrastructure such as irrigation systems, fencing, farm buildings, storage facilities, and access roads is crucial for the efficient operation of a farm.
Crop Planning and Planting:
Developed a crop plan that considers factors such as market demand, seasonal variations, and crop rotation is essential.
2023
Crop Growth and Management:
Monitored the growth and health of crops, implementing effective pest and disease management strategies.
Harvesting and Marketing:
Identifying potential buyers, establishing relationships with markets or distributors, and ensuring timely and efficient delivery of produce. FTK has served about + 100 customers since its establishment and have gained 813 users.
Financial Management:
Financial management is a priority as FTK has been effectively budgeting, cost tracking, and revenue generation. This involves monitoring expenses, analyzing profitability, exploring funding opportunities, and gradually achieving financial sustainability.
Future Expansion:
Expansion and Diversification:
This is the increasing the size of cultivated land, expanding crop varieties or livestock species, exploring value-added products, or venturing into new markets or distribution channels.
Sustainable Practices:
Establishing milestones for implementing sustainable farming practices, such as organic farming, water conservation, soil conservation, and biodiversity enhancement.
Community Engagement:
To further engage with the local community, participating in farmers' markets or community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and promoting agricultural education and awareness.
Continuous Learning and Improvement:
To be engaged by learning, attending workshops or training programs, networking with other farmers, and adopting new technologies or practices can help the farms stay updated and continuously improve their operations.
for farming This involved purchasing or leasing farmland, securing permits or licenses, and ensuring the land meets the necessary requirements for agricultural activities.
A commitment to sustainable practices that prioritize environmental stewardship, conservation of natural resources, and long-term viability of the farm.
A dedication to producing high-quality products and providing excellent service to customers. This includes maintaining high standards in cultivation, animal care, and food safety.
Acting with honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in all aspects of the farm's operations, including fair treatment of employees, suppliers, and customers.
Fostering positive relationships with the local community by actively engaging and contributing to its well-being, supporting local initiatives, and promoting food security and access to fresh, healthy produce.
Promoting knowledge sharing and education, both within the farm team and the wider community. Encouraging learning about sustainable farmin
practices, healthy eating, and the importance of agriculture in society.
Valuing partnerships and collaboration with other organizations, and stakeholders to achieve common goals, share resources, and promote collective success in the agricultural industry.
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