The Greening of Alexandra
Residents of Ext. 8 recently participated in a gardening
competition as part of the ARP's focus on environmental improvement
through community participation.
Learning to garden in Alex is about more than simply beautifying
one's property. It's about growing food, perhaps supplementing one's
income, and protecting one's property from run-off during the rainy
season.
Over a hundred and eighty residents of Far East Bank Ext. 8 have
spent this summer learning how to garden under the guidance of Food
and Trees for Africa with Bagale Environmental Services. Residents
have attended workshops, received personal on-site gardening advice,
and have been given plants, seeds and lawn.
After months of learning, planning and cultivating, it was time for
everyone's efforts to be judged. A shortlist of 20 gardens was
adjudicated by a panel of experts and the top three gardens selected.
The winners were presented with their prizes by well-known gardening
guru, Keith Kirsten, and Nomvula Mokonyane, MEC for Housing.
First prize went to Fokisa Mthombeni, whose vegetable garden feeds
her family of ten. Fokisa also sells some of her crop to her
neighbours for much needed income.
Gloria Mabasa took second place in the competition. She too uses
her garden as both a source of food for her family and to earn some
income by selling her vegetables within the community.
In addition to the fridge, TV and microwave that went to the top
place-winners, all runners-up were presented with vegetable and flower
seeds, chocolates, gardening tools and food hampers.
This gardening competition was the third one to have been arranged
by the ARP. It is part of a broader process of encouraging community
participation in creating a clean, healthy and sustainable
environment.
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