Family affair: Stephina and her daughters tend to the garden

In less than two months, what once was an empty expanse with just a few fruit trees has rapidly evolved into a flourishing organic food garden

Craig Kudita

Stephina Ramphadi has long been passionate about gardening. When she got her piece of land in Klipgat, an area in the North West province of South Africa, she immediately planted some fruit trees. 

“I’ve always liked planting gardens,” she says, her eyes sparkling underneath her sunhat.

Later, when she opened up Togetherness Daycare Centre at her home, she knew she wanted to share her passion and teach the children about the wonders of growing vegetables.

Whenever Victor Ligidima, For Afrika’s Community Development Officer, visited to drop off porridge for the children in her care, Stephina would coax him into her garden and ask if he could perhaps assist with seeds and tools.

Victor had a word with Tarirai Mpofu, ForAfrika’s agronomist, and the two made a plan.

“They always did their best with what they had to plant their crops – we could see that they were really passionate about having a garden,” says Victor, who grins constantly when he talks about Stephina.

“She’s very encouraging!”

Putting in the work

The team got to work, raising beds and teaching Stephina and her daughters how to improve the quality of the soil through mulching and composting.

“What makes this group stand out is their retention of the knowledge we have transferred,” says Tarirai. “They really have copied me! It is a huge motivation for me.

“We have taught them how to work with nature to ensure there is life in the soil. Whatever is outside is a reflection of what is inside. We’ve shown them that coriander repels pests, marigolds attract the bees.”

Within two months, Togetherness Daycare was able to harvest enough vegetables to ensure the children had nutritious soup and stews for their lunches.

“The garden is like therapy,” says Stephina, who has the help of her daughters and their unemployed friends. “It keeps the young girls busy. It gives them hope that they can do something worthwhile.”

They are already planning on bigger and better things – like expanding the garden and building a farm stall to sell their produce.

“We can also teach others what we have learnt and pass on the good things ForAfrika has given to us,” says Stephina. 

Craig Kudita is Communications Officer in South Africa