Permaculture gardening has become a very popular, effective, and creative solution to the worsening food insecurity in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Gardening had proven difficult for families in the past, as “traditional” gardens require a great deal of water, time, and money. For a long time, gardening was seen as inconvenient and not a practical solution to families’ food insecurity. However, the past couple of years have brought a return of the home garden in Mpumalanga. So what is different? These new gardens are permaculture gardens that require little water, time, and money and are so easy anyone can start them. So who is behind this new garden revolution? Kids! 

Learners at our partner schools are exposed to permaculture gardening at a young age. Our creches (preschools) and primary schools have introduced gardening to their learners in a fun and unique way. These permaculture gardens provide a safe space for kids to learn about the environment, get their hands dirty, and receive healthy nutritious meals throughout the day. Acornhoek, a poor rural village in Mpumalanga has become a hub of permaculture gardens. Kids in Acornhoek are experiencing the beauty and benefits of gardening at school, at church, at their community centers/community gardens, and at their neighbor’s home gardens.

When the nationwide lockdown closed schools, we started to bring food parcels to homes in Acornhoek. During these visits we started to learn that kids were encouraging their families to start their own permaculture gardens. Bored learners were missing out on the time they typically would spend in the garden at school so they decided to start their own, using methods they learned at school and from our Permaculture team. 

Our Permaculture Manager, Leanette visited two extraordinary young learners who started their own home gardens. Both learners are currently in primary school and have started their gardens during the nationwide lockdown. These learners shared with Leanette a little bit about their gardens, their family, and what inspired them to start gardening. Leanette asked these learners a few questions and below are their answers. Jessica and Unathi have provided us with great insights into the success of our school permaculture programs and the evolution of home gardens in Acornhoek.

Jessica Makhubele

Q: How old are you?
A: I am 11 years old.

Q: What school do you attend? 
A: Beretta Primary School

Q: How many people are in your household?
A: Ten

Q: Can you describe your garden? What are you growing?
A: I have planted spinach, inoinos, beetroot, tomatoes, and lettuce. At the moment, I am also growing maize, peanuts, pumpkin, and groundnuts.

Q: What inspired you to start your own garden at home?
A: Leanette Sithole who is a garden owner inspired me to want to start my own garden

Q: What is your favourite part about gardening? 
A: My favourite part of gardening is harvesting because when I harvest, I feel proud because I can finally reap and enjoy what I have sown

Q: Where did you learn to garden?
A: From Leanette Sithole at my school’s garden and at Leanette’s Community Garden

Q: Where do you get your water supply from? Is it sufficient enough to keep your garden going throughout the year? 
A: I use greywater and rainwater. No it is not enough 

Q: Do you implement any techniques to conserve water in your garden? 
A: Yes, I do. I mulch

Q: Does your family help in the garden?
A: Yes, they do

Q: What do you do with your harvest?
A: We eat some at home, share with needy people in the community and also sell

Q: How has the garden helped you and your family?
A: The garden is a source of nutritious food with multiple health benefits. We don’t have to buy certain vegetables because they are available in the garden, which decreases our household expenses. And, we are able to generate income from selling what we harvest. We have also learned multiple gardening skills to sustain our garden. In addition to this, we gathered helpful information that we can share with others who also wish to start their own gardens.

Unathi Msoma

Q: How old are you?
A: I am 10 years old.

Q: What school do you attend?
A: Xhiviti Primary School

Q: How many people are in your household?
A: Five people

Q: Can you describe your garden? What are you growing?
A: In my garden, I grow spinach, beetroot, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, chillipepper, mint,rosemary and green pepper. I have also planted maize,  butternut, sweet potatoes, and watermelons.

Q: What inspired you to start your own garden at home?
A: My grandmother (Leanette Sithole) has always been into gardening. We used to get vegetables from her garden, so during the lockdown period I decided to start my own

Q: What is your favourite part of gardening? 
A: Planting in unique patterns because it allows me to be creative

Q: Where did you learn to garden?
A: My grandmother, Leanette Sithole taught me how to start and maintain a garden

Q: Where do you get your water supply from? Is it sufficient enough to keep your garden going throughout the year?
A: We use rain water and grey water. No, because we have water challenges

Q: Do you implement any techniques to conserve water in your garden?
A: Yes, we mulch so that the grass can hold the water

Q: Does your family help in the garden?
A: Yes, they do help me. We work as a team.

Q: What do you do with your harvest?
A: We eat at home, sell and give to the less fortunate

Q: How has the garden helped your family? 
A: The garden provides us with healthy food and it is a peaceful environment where we can relax. And we have been able to make some extra cash by selling what we produce.