In the news, Inspiration

Phawu Likum looks within to change society

18 Oct

By Khutso Uoane

Founded in 2020 by South African Environmentalist, Social Environmental Entrepreneur, Eco-communities builder, and gender and childhood ambassador Bakhusele Mathupa – Phawu Likum which means “within me” is an agricultural group that practices permaculture and engages with the youth and women to promote sustainable development. The aim is to develop skills in agricultural production for self- sustainability, and for social and economic growth. The focus is also on looking at the system holistically – and exploring the benefits of food forests, water harvesting and conservation while offsetting carbon emissions and transforming the surrounding environment.  “The name Phawu Likum is a representation of what is within me through my farming and teachings” ~ Bakhusele. 

Gender inequality, roles, and division have resulted to women becoming vulnerable in society and that is why we want our women to be the real agents of change in their homes, communities and society at large.

Phawu Likum is in Willowvale, Eastern Cape and works with 51 community members- 7, full time and the rest are seasonal. 

Our vision is to see communities taking pride in growing their own food and ultimately becoming leaders of Earth Care, People care and Fair share.

What we are proud of as Phawu Likum AgriFarm is that we have been able to create jobs in the community.

“We are Sassa (referring to the fact that they are the elderly) and did not grow up eating rice, we are resilient and strong. We are here because we need money to feed our families and support our Sassa grants” says one of the community members and beneficiaries.

We are also proud to have been able to:

  • set up a borehole and pump for irrigation
  • establish a windbreak with indigenous trees and support species as a perimeter around the farm
  • provide trees and diversity for the food forest and seedlings initially for the intensive cultivation of vegetables
  • provide monthly training sessions, and food and trees for Africa: ongoing. 

 

We are funded by Shoprite through Food and Trees for Africa but the funding is limited. In order to make our vision a reality, we need funding for:

  • extra water storage (tanks, reservoir)
  • dripline irrigation and additional piping and water infrastructure
  • nursery structure, tables, planting trays, planting medium, misting system for seed trays and cuttings
  • fencing
  • infrastructure for worm farms, composting, liquid manures, and liquid fertilizers
  • infrastructure for processing of produce (cold room, packaging room, sorting and drying room, kitchen for value adding
  • classroom and community area for learning and training
  • accommodation structures for potential interns, students and guests
  • a workable vehicle and trailer.

Khutso is studying PR and Communication Management at UJ. She hopes to use her talents to make a difference to people around Southern Africa. You can reach her on Khutso.uoane19@gmail.com.

Tags:
, ,
Back to list
Older At Doornkop Gardens, agriculture is more than just getting your hands dirty

Related Posts

18 Oct
In the news, Inspiration

At Doornkop Gardens, agriculture is more than just getting your hands dirty

By Khutso Uoane

After graduating with a Diploma in Agriculture and not being able to find a job, Eastern Cape born Zanele Manjo, aged 30, did not give up. Rather, she decided to turn an illegal dump site in Doornkop Block 3 into an urban food garden. She hopes this will inspire others to do the same.

Doornkop Gardens, in Doornkop Block 3, grows and sells fresh, organic, vegetables to the local community and street vendors. Zanele uses indigenous knowledge to grow plants with harmony – growing common vegetables and indigenous herbs.

It is still early days for Doornkop Gardens. Established in 2022, the team had to start at the very beginning. They had to remove litter before they could start to build the soil, which was not a simple task to do.

“Growing organically, we grow the soil before we grow crops.  Everything starts with good compost, and we make this ourselves using food waste. We also use organic manure.”

To achieve this, they must work closely with the local community to get material they can compost.

Zanele is also working hard within the community to change behaviours and beliefs. “A lot of people still believe that agriculture is for uneducated people and that people who are doing agriculture are always dirty. As such we want to make them realise that there is more to agriculture than they think, and that anyone can be a farmer for that matter. We also want to encourage young people to educate themselves about agriculture and its significance in the society and economy at large.”

Changing behaviours has not been an easy thing to do. “Littering has proven to be a thorn in our flesh. We have space we want to expand onto, but it is a mess. It is just unfortunate that until we create pride in our spaces, things will not change and people will continue to go hungry.”

Things have not been a walk in the park. With no start-up capital or funding, Zanele has had to make a plan. “There has been no one to help us register our company, or learn how to apply for grants and loans. We have also had our fence vandalised. But this is just a start. We will keep pushing because we believe in our dream.”

The next step is to expand the growing area and sell to communities outside of Doornkop. They also aim to involve young people in their agricultural activities as well as encourage those in both primary and high school to consider careers in the agricultural field and industry, and break the stereotype that agriculture is for the old and illiterate. 

With Doornkop Gardens team, it is just a matter of time until the people of Doornkop realise that agriculture is about more than just getting your hands dirty- it can be the centre of a vibrant community.

Khutso is studying PR and Communication Management at UJ. She hopes to use her talents to make a difference to people around Southern Africa. You can reach her on Khutso.uoane19@gmail.com.

19 Oct
Inspiration

Agriculture heals the broken hearted

After witnessing the abuse and divorce of one of her friends, business champion Chriszelda Jooste Swartz, and a group of other women, decided to start Phenomenal Women.  Instead of just consoling their friend, this group of women created a space where women who share similar experiences can come together and talk about them – and in talking about them, find ways of coping and healing. Their mission is to fight gender-based violence (GBV), by raising awareness about it, and by providing women and children with training and programmes in business and entrepreneurship.
During Covid-19 they planned a breakfast that united women and provided the support they needed. But it does not end there. Chrizelda and her partners also came up with the idea of introducing an agricultural programme and a weekly feeding programme that provides food for the community. Their project is located in Kliptown Joshco flats, in Kliptown, where they grow vegetables which they donate to underprivileged families. They also offer agricultural education to women who are victims of abuse.
“We realise that food insecurity and malnutrition are a very serious problem. We are fighting it by building community gardens, and providing support through our network of farmers I remember one Friday when we started giving food to families, someone standing at the corner where we stopped screamed “pagga”, everyone was indoors because it was cold. A few minutes later, the street was filled with kids holding hands and walking in lines, and adults, to receive warm meals. This was a very emotional moment for the team as we realised that our work brought a difference in the lives of others.” said Chriszelda Jooste Swartz
The team strongly believes that community development plays a big role in human development and nation-building. Chriszelda said “Community development teaches people to think about the places they live in and their surroundings, it also teaches them how to protect their neighbourhoods. Communities contribute to the social, political, cultural and economic development of their countries. It brings people together.”
Like any other organisation, the team has their own share of challenges. Chriszelda said “We don’t have space where we can work from because our space was vandalised during the looting. Also, we don’t have a permanent sponsor and we are not funded by government or any private company. We rely on fundraising initiatives that don’t always bring in the amount needed to get by.”
Despite the challenges, the future is looking bright for Phenomenal Women. For starters, Chriszelda and her partners have been nominated and given an award for being influential women in their organisation. She told us that “I have been nominated by BM productions for being one of South Africa’s top influential women 2022 and what I’m proud of is that since we started Phenomenal Women in our community, many other leaders have now come on board to support and improve our surroundings. We hope this will open opportunities to bring sponsors that will align with us, ensuring our vision and mission is complete.”
Phenomenal Women is here to enrich people’s lives. It is here to help people see life in a different perspective through giving and being kind- and it inspires others to do the same.
Khutso is studying PR and Communication Management at UJ. She hopes to use her talents to make a difference to people around Southern Africa. You can reach her on Khutso.uoane19@gmail.com.

Leave a Reply