FEED THE KHALTSHA COMMUNITY FOOD GARDEN

Thapelo Xabanisa and Baluleke Xabanisa, founders of the Feed the Khaltsha Food Garden, are driven by a shared vision of inspiring and empowering youth. Based at the Sibongile Day and Night Care Centre in Khayelitsha, their community project was launched in February 2020, born from a mutual desire for self-employment and empowerment.

With backgrounds in agriculture and qualifications from the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, Thapelo and Baluleke are dedicated to positively impacting their community.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Initially, Feed the Khaltsha focused on providing organic vegetables to the Sibongile Centre, which specializes in caring for individuals with special needs and disabilities. This initiative has significantly reduced the center’s monthly expenses by supplying fresh vegetables, supporting social development programmes, and creating job opportunities.

The project now offers a variety of fresh, locally grown vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, carrots, broccoli, parsley, and spring onions. They also provide seasonal produce to ensure a diverse selection throughout the year. Harvested at the peak of ripeness, the vegetables offer optimal flavour, nutritional value, freshness, and quality.

Committed to organic and sustainable farming practices, Feed the Khaltsha caters to clients who prioritise health-conscious and environmentally friendly choices. The vegetables are grown without synthetic pesticides or genetically modified organisms.

To broaden their reach, Thapelo and Baluleke have leveraged social media to market their produce, attracting interest from organisations such as UCOOK and Uthando.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

Mthandzo Xabanisa recounts the initial hurdles faced by the project, including funding and infrastructure issues. However, support from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Casidra proved instrumental in overcoming these challenges. Logistics, particularly storage, posed another difficulty, as crops needed to be kept fresh to minimise waste and ensure market readiness.

Mthandzo stated that the quality and conditions of their crops improved significantly due to the production inputs and support received, which facilitated market access and increased sales. With year-round harvesting, the ability to set standard prices for their produce became feasible.

Thapelo reflects on the inspiring words of
Dr Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism who emphasised the real issue of hunger and food insecurity. Dr Meyer highlighted that the food security initiative is crucial for the wellbeing of Western Cape citizens, underscoring that nothing diminishes a person’s dignity more than the inability to access sufficient, nutritious food.

The beneficiaries of Feed the Khaltsha are extremely grateful for the support from the WCDoA and Casidra. “We started with nothing. The soil was sandy and infertile, but our garden has expanded from 15 square meters to 403 square meters. We are eager to grow even further. The shade net structure, infield irrigation system, wellpoint pump, garden tools, protective clothing, and production inputs have been invaluable. As youth, we can add much beauty and make a meaningful difference through our efforts,” Baluleke concluded.