A R310 000 infrastructure investment from the South African Urban Food and Farming Trust has moved the Mitchell’s Plain Agrihub closer to full operation following the election of its interim steering committee.
Although the agrihub is not yet officially active, about 40 local farmers are already growing food in their yards and on council land, exchanging seedlings and produce while building a grassroots food network across the area.
At a meeting at Seaview Primary School on Monday, February 9, the group elected chairperson Mogamat Jappie, secretary Natalie-Jane Van Dieman, and coordinator Farouk Davids to serve on the interim committee for three months while a full board is established.
The trust previously donated 7 000 seedlings, 250 compost bags, and a container based at the school to support the farmers, who grow spinach, beetroot, cabbage, purple cabbage, and lettuce, Mr Davids said.
Mitchell’s Plain is the youngest of similar agrihubs in Cape Town, with others in Langa, Gugulethu, and Khayelitsha, he said.
Farmers support the school’s food kitchen and are working with the school on plans to help with water issues for their borehole that will supply water for both farming and school needs, Mr Davids said. Many of the farmers are elderly residents from Rocklands who believe sharing agricultural knowledge with younger generations is just as important as growing food.
They use creative methods such as container gardening and crate planting and learn from visits to active farms like Oranjezicht, he said.
Some produce compost, homemade liquid fertilizers, and ointments from what they grow. Spine Road High pupils donated strawberry plants, which were distributed to more than 30 farmers, giving pupils practical environmental learning while expanding local gardens, Mr Davids said.
Amelia Walters, 76, grows produce in her backyard to share with neighbours and feeding schemes.
She said gardening gives her peace of mind and purpose. “At first, I just picked what I grew and gave it to neighbours, but now it is part of a bigger effort. It keeps me busy and inspires others to grow. Seeing others benefit from what I plant makes me happy and gives me something positive to focus on every day,” she said.
Titus Hendricks, 74, began gardening last September and grows sweet potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, carrots, spinach, and turnips. He makes his own compost and liquid fertilizer, which he sells for R50.
“My grandfather and father farmed, and when I started, it all came back to me. Farming reminds me how to use what I have and how to share food with others while still making a small income for myself,” he said.
Ms Van Dieman, "the only qualified" beekeeper from Woodlands, educates residents about the role bees play in pollination and food production.
She hopes to start a non-governmental organisation focused on urban beekeeping and involves her neurodivergent daughter in the work.
“Bees are vital for vegetables and for the environment. Teaching my daughter and others to protect them means we are protecting our food sources and helping the community become more self-sufficient,” she said.