The first crops!

Stephen Ngakane, manager of the Carryou Ministry farming project at Vleikop

 All the hard work of the past few months is starting to bear fruit - or in this case vegetables!
 Carryou Ministry was recently given a ten-year lease on a small holding at Vleikop on the outskirts of Randfontein and staff members erected two tunnels, as part of a farming project that will provide food for the organisation's feeding schemes, generate income from the sale of surplus produce and provide employment, training and skills for a small number of unemployed people. "We received an aid grant from the US Government to help get the project underway," says Rev Mabaso, Carryou Ministry General Manager.
 Seed was provided by the Randfontein Municipality and private sponsors, and members of the surrounding community assist as volunteers as part of the projects.

 "We've harvested some spinach so far," says Stephen Ngakane, manager at Vleikop, "and in the next couple of weeks will be ready to pick onions, carrots, beetroot and cabbages."

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.