Back on Track

Themba, Tony and Stephen proudly display some of the tomatoes harvested and ready to be sold.

 A few months ago a violent storm damaged the tunnels at the Carryou Ministries' farming programme at Vleikop.
 The damage caused, seriously curtailed food production for the Elandsvlei and Toekomsrus Drop-in Centres.

Storm damage

 "We were able to limp along, but couldn't produce the quantity of crops grown in the past," says Stephen Ngakane, manager at the facility. "We also faced water problems."

Money

 As always, finding money to make the repairs and get activities back on course was a problem, until Carryou Co-Founder, Tony Jamison, stepped in and personally provided the more than R20 000 required.
 "When children are in need, I cannot stand idly and do nothing," he said.
 Recent heavy rains and hot weather resulted in a never-ending battle with weeds, and this week Stephen and Themba, a volunteer from nearby, were hard at work, digging out the invading plants and preparing the ground for the planting of winter crops.

Harvesting

Planning the planting of winter crops

 In the meantime they continue to harvest and sell tomatoes.
 "We intend to plant spinach, onions, cabbage and carrots," says Tony, who is now working in close co-operation with Stephen.

The war against weeds never ends!

The first sods are turned at Vleikop

Randfontein Town Council donates seeds. (L-R) Thembi Matuwane, MMC Social Services, Brenda Mahuma, MMC Public Safety, Sylvia Thebenare, Executive Mayor, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, Carryou Ministry General Manager, Pam and Tony Jamison, Carryou Ministry founders.

 There were scenes of joy at Carryou Ministry's Vleikop Farming project this morning when the Randfontein Municipality handed over seeds so the first crops can be planted.
 The occasion, although a day early, was part of the local Town Council's Nelson Mandela birthday celebrations and a number of dignitaries, Including Executive Mayor, Sylvia Thebenare, were present.
 Also there were Carryou Ministry founders, Pam and Tony Jamison, as was a large number of members of the surrounding community who came to sign up for a farm-worker training programme (see the previous post).
 "It is fitting that we are here today to start a project that will provide both employment, training and food for many," said Carryou Ministry, General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, "especially when we bear in mind how important planting and nurturing a seed was to Madiba. He wrote, while on Robben Island, gardening was the only thing the prisoners had control over."

Rev. Lawrence Mabaso and Umshini Consultants Chairman, Cecile Kirk

 "This is a very important project that must be taken seriously by the community," said Randfontein Executive Mayor, Sylvia Thebenare. "We must remember this was barren land that through the efforts and support of many people will soon produce food.
 "A family of four can be fed from a piece of ground the size of a household door," she said, "so just imagine how many people these two tunnels will feed! We, as the municipality, will do everything in our power to support you."
 Cecile Kirk, Chairman of Umshini Consultants, who will be organising and running the Farm Workers Training Course, explained how it would work and what is required.
 And then, to the joy and delight of all present, the first soil-sods were turned and the first seeds were planted.

Members of the community register for the Farm Workers Training Course

The community becomes involved

A small token of appreciation was presented to Pam Jamison

Councillors Thembi Matuwane and Tshidi Kimane, join Executive Mayor, Sylvia Thebenare and get stuck in.