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School’s Sustainable Garden Initiative Earns Three-Year Food Parcel Contract
Kwa-Thema – Ntokozweni Primary School has emerged victorious in Pick n Pay’s environmental awareness competition, securing a three-year contract to provide food parcels for learners in need. This remarkable achievement is the result of a dedicated school gardening project led by life orientation and natural science teacher, Nomsa Xundu.
How the School Garden Project Started
In 2016, Nomsa Xundu took the initiative to establish a food garden at Ntokozweni Primary School, driven by her passion for gardening and a desire to share this knowledge with learners. With the help of students, she nurtures the garden, ensuring it remains a sustainable source of fresh produce for the school.
“The students play an active role in maintaining the garden. They visit it twice daily, learning valuable agricultural skills and gaining hands-on experience,” Xundu explained.
Winning the Pick n Pay Environmental Awareness Competition
Last year, Pick n Pay introduced the environmental awareness competition to the school, encouraging participation in sustainability projects. The competition ran for a full year, during which Pick n Pay monitored the garden’s sustainability and impact.
In December, Ntokozweni Primary School was named one of the two winners. The school was awarded R2,500 for garden supplies and a three-year contract to receive monthly food parcels.
Supporting Learners in Need
As part of this contract, 20 underprivileged learners will receive food parcels every month, providing much-needed relief to struggling families.
“This initiative is life-changing for our learners, many of whom come from child-headed households or orphanages. We are grateful for this support,” Xundu shared.
Additionally, 130 Grade Four learners received pencil cases as part of the prize, further supporting their educational needs.
Community and Corporate Support for the Garden Project
Beyond Pick n Pay, other organizations have joined forces to strengthen the school’s gardening initiative. Kellogg’s and Real Hope have provided essential supplies such as seeds, growth pots, and nursery structures to protect delicate vegetables.
“These partnerships have been instrumental in expanding our project. The three nurseries they provided allow us to grow sensitive crops in a controlled environment,” Xundu noted.
Kellogg’s and Real Hope also extended their support beyond the school by training 100 parents on home gardening techniques. These parents received essential gardening tools and seed gift boxes, ensuring they could cultivate their own sustainable food sources for an entire year.
A Sustainable Future for the School Garden
Xundu is committed to maintaining the garden for years to come, recognizing its long-term benefits for the school and the community.
“This project is more than just a garden; it’s a source of food security, education, and empowerment. We are incredibly thankful to Pick n Pay, Kellogg’s, Real Hope, and our school principal for their unwavering support,” she concluded.
As the initiative continues to grow, Ntokozweni Primary School remains a shining example of how schools can promote environmental awareness while making a meaningful impact on the lives of their learners.
