By Leila Moosajee
In the heart of Albertina, a group of passionate young people came together to get their hands dirty and learn how to start a vegetable garden from scratch. With ten MAB (Man and the Biosphere) Youth members from Albertina and four from Riversdale taking part, the workshop turned into more than just a gardening lesson; it became a practical initiative rooted in sustainability and community upliftment.
The workshop was hosted in the yard of Merci Visser, a local champion who runs a soup kitchen on the property, Hoop Vir Almal. In preparation for the workshop, Whinny Joon cleared out all the grass, preparing the ground for the team to turn it into a productive veggie patch.
Saniek Du Toit, a horticulturist from Groei Kwekery, shared her knowledge to help assess the garden layout, calculate how much compost was needed, and guide the selection of seed and seedlings. Her advice ensured that the planting was well thought out, considering things like sunlight and companion planting. She guided the youth on how to place seeds based on where the sun hits in the morning and afternoon, and which plants grow well next to each other. This laid the groundwork for what is hoped to be a healthy harvest of fresh produce.
On the day of the workshop, Simthandile Ponti and Leila Moosajee led the young gardeners in preparing seed beds and spreading compost. Mulch was placed between the rows to help hold in moisture and reduce weeds. With their hands deep in the soil, the MAB Youth learned how to space their seeds properly, making sure the planting holes were the right depth and distance apart for strong growth.
The group worked in pairs to plant a variety of vegetables, including onions, beetroot, carrots, broad beans, peas, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, leeks, and celery. They also added medicinal plants and herbs like wilde als, wilde dagga, bulbine, parsley, and kankerbossie. Kankerbossie is known to help keep pests away and protect the garden in a natural way.
Once everything was planted, the garden was given a good watering, leaving the enriched soil ready to support new life. Merci Visser explained that the vegetables grown here will be used in the soups she prepares for the community, continuing her work to feed those in need.
Beyond growing food, this outreach helped the youth reconnect with the land, with each other, and with the idea that even a small piece of ground, when cared for, can nourish many.
