The gardening community of Ward 4 in Section D of Ezakheni received various seedlings recently from the Agricultural Advisor of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alfred Duma Local Office, after an urgent call for intervention and assistance to all garden owners in the area was made by Londathina Hlomuka, Chairperson of the NPO, Sakhithemba Youth Organisation.
“I have seen households living under extreme poverty and it’s heartbreaking as entire families go hungry, this made me realise that there is a real need for agricultural programmes in our communities,” said Hlomuka, who added that with programmes like these access to food would be enhanced and communities enriched. The Department of Agriculture responded by providing assistance to garden owners and hosting a home-grown gardening programme which included guidance through the procedures and processes of the department and explained the importance of farming and how it assists in alleviating poverty and hunger. Encouraging more people to have a vegetable garden at home, the programme was welcomed by over 20 gardeners who told The Ladysmith Herald that with the seedlings and lessons shared by the officials, they now have hope to feed their families. “We need to start taking responsibility, we need to think about how we can contribute to our families at home,” said Hlomuka, who added that there is a dying need to bring skills and programmes like these to grassroots communities. Hlomuka thanked the officials from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alfred Duma Local Office, for their contribution to the community.
