Food Garden Equipment Donation Encourages Agriculture in Learners with Special Educational Needs
Phelang School for learners with special educational needs in KwaThema is characterised by neat a premises, well organised food garden and disciplined learners.
This school was chosen amongst many by the City in partnership with MPACT, a paper and plastic packaging manufacturing and recycling company, to receive food gardening equipment comprising of 10 composters to encourage the school to generate their own compost, 10 mixed fruit and indigenous trees, seedlings and gardening tools.
Tshepo Ledwaba, the school’s principal, could not contain his excitement upon receipt of the equipment.
“When we started the food garden we never anticipated that it will grow to make such a huge impact on the learners’ lives as well as in the community. We harvest vegetables from the garden and provide nutritious plates to the learners and educators,” he said.
Ledwaba said the project had also instilled passion in the learners, with some even starting food gardens at their homes.
He explained that the donation of composters will save the school money as now they would be able to generate their own compost.
“Previously we would buy compost from retail stores to fertilise the soil, but now there wouldn’t be any need for that,” he said.
The City, through the Department of Environment Resources, offered school learners a crash-course on how to generate their own compost using vegetable peels and dried leaves.
Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) For Environment Resources and Waste Management Services Alderman Makhosazana Mabaso handed over the food gardening equipment and trees to the school.
“We are excited as the City to partner with MPACT towards encouraging our children from an early age in using waste compost. The programme will reinforce the culture of Re-Use and Recycle in their young minds, which will become sustainable practices in our communities and save our environment for the next generations to enjoy,” said MMC Mabaso.
