The gardening initiative is part of the Community Empowerment Nexus (CEN Project), an endeavour spearheaded by the Eastern Province Coastal Touchies Association (EPCTA), and the Greater Stellenbosch Trust (GST).

To uplift their school and community, Humansdorp Secondary School recently established a vegetable garden, and members have already planted a variety of vegetables with plans to plant a larger range of vegetables and fruit.

Principal Shaun Felix said that the gardening initiative is part of the Community Empowerment Nexus (CEN Project), an endeavour spearheaded by the Eastern Province Coastal Touchies Association (EPCTA), and the Greater Stellenbosch Trust (GST), as they strive to uplift the community.

He said that phase one of the project commenced on November 1 last year, with the EPCTA designating several members from their “green thumbs” team, all of whom have received skills development training from the esteemed Green Gorilla Foundation to initiate the project at the school.

Felix said that in December 2023 the team prepared the fields for planting, to make it “green-ready”, and began cultivating vegetables with the teacher at the school leading the project, Geneva Lippert.

“In summary, the garden project has the potential to positively impact education, nutrition, economics, community engagement, and environmental sustainability, for both the school and the surrounding community.”

Further elaborating on the benefits of the garden project, Felix said that the garden will serve as a hands-on learning environment, providing learners with practical knowledge about cultivation, sustainability, and nutrition, and both the learners and community members involved in the project can acquire valuable skills related to gardening, agriculture, and environmental stewardship.

In addition, he said that the sale of surplus produce to the local community can create economic opportunities, supporting the sustainability of the project, and potentially generating income for the school, while the garden can become a focal point for community engagement, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and pride in the local environment.

Felix further said that by promoting sustainable and eco-friendly practices, the garden contributes to environmental awareness and conservation within the school and the broader community.

“Through collaboration with EPCTA and GST, our joint effort aims to empower communities in the Kouga region by fostering socio-economic transformation, sustainability, and long-term development,” said Felix.

While in phase one, the EPCTA will continue to oversee the garden maintenance, During phase two their focus will shift to imparting skills and knowledge, and enabling the learners and teachers to maintain the garden independently.

Furthermore, Felix said that in phase three the school will assume full control and responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the garden.

“We initially planted a variety of crops, including cauliflower, black beans, chillies, tomatoes, and cabbage. However, moving forward, we aim to expand our cultivation to include fruits, potatoes, lettuce, and other greens,” said Felix.

Thankfully, he said that the “green thumbs” project, initiated by EPCTA in collaboration with the GST, has not only benefited Humansdorp Secondary, but has also supported non-profit organisations in the community.

Felix said that these organisations include One Village, Dorp van Drome, and neighbouring schools like Makukhanye Primary School and Rainbow Skills Centre.

A variety of vegetables have already been planted at Humansdorp Secondary School.