Since the pandemic, agricultural self-sufficiency has become increasingly important for the inhabitants of rural townships. The Hugo Tempelman Foundation, in collaboration with the Ndlovu Care Group and supported by RTL Wir helfen Kindern, has successfully established private food gardens in response to the famine.
Mothibedi Tjiane, a 48-year-old resident of the village of Bloempoort, provides an impressive example of the long-term impact of this important program. He used to work occasionally on nearby citrus farms to support his family of five. But persistent power cuts led to severe economic losses on the farms and Mothibedi lost his job. He struggled to provide for his family.
Determined to find a solution, he sought support from the Ndlovu Care Group. With their guidance, he was able to start his own food garden on a one-hectare plot of land, where he now grows a variety of crops, including green peppers, spinach and tomatoes.
Today, Mothibedi no longer has to worry about providing for his family. He sells his produce in and around Bloempoort Village and to greengrocers at the Moutse market and earns R2500 (approx. EUR 125) per month during the high season (November to December) and R1500 during the quiet months.
Mothibedi Tjiane says: “It makes me happy to be able to grow our own food and provide for my family economically at the same time. Thank you very much.”
