Mandela Day continues

IT WAS green thumbs all around when Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) embarked on the second part of their two-headed Mandela Day outreach programme when they started a vegetable garden at the Sukume Museum and Cultural Centre for a HIV support group based in Walmer.

“To see so many people come to garden in support of a good cause, was truly heart-warming – taking time out to dig, rake and plant. The vegetable garden only the first step in assisting the group of ladies to become self-sufficient – not only would it providing them with the essential sustenance needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle but the money made from selling the excess vegetables would enable them to provide financial support to group members during times of,” said NMBT marketing manager, Titus Chuene.

It is NMBT’s hope that a company will eventually adopt the vegetable project and assist the group to realise its dream of forming a co-operative one day.

“We have managed to put the centre in contact with the department of agriculture, hoping for it to bare the positive fruit of mentoring and agri-education. We want to come back next Mandela day and add another vegetable garden for the ladies,” Chuene added.

Donations were not scarce – shovels, spades, watering cans, seeds and soil made for some of the donation. NMBT also donated orange overalls marked ‘the NMBT team’ to the ladies in which they will enjoy gardening. One of the many donations came from Oshry farms in the form of 4 000 seedlings of spinach and soil to plant them in.

“We chose spinach because it is more sustainable. Unlike something like beetroot which bares one fruit from one seedling, spinach bares plenty leaves, and can be plucked from for up to six months before having to plant another seedling. You get much more out of it,” said owner of Oshry farms, Marcus Oshry.

The afternoon concluded with a soccer clinic sponsored by the Mustangs Sports Academy.  They donated soccer balls, numbered jerseys and socks to 40 girls and boys from the aftercare centre that will enable them to participate in league games in future.

“This week was powered by Mandela day, with people all over the country and world taking 67 minutes or more to do good deeds for others. Let’s carry live by this principle daily and always do for others,” said Chuene.

NMBT thanks all sponsors for their support and the many people who came to volunteer their time. Some of the many donators included All Hire – for their efforts to get the allocated land cleared, the UDDI for the donation of tyre towers and mixers as well as the pledge for ongoing mentorship to the project, EDRS Tourism for the sponsorship of training from St Johns, Despatch Spar and Lulama Mini of Woodlands dairy for refreshements during the day, the MBDA for their financial contribution and man power, seedlings from the Agricultural Sub-Directorate of the Economic Development and Recreational Services, the CSKD, for donating of caps and finally the team from Access Managemnet.