Growing The Future

Social engineer and founder of the school-based community project Ikhaya Kulture Garden in Khayelitsha, Xolisa Bangani is transforming young lives through the power of nature

- Anna Trapido

NATURAL ENCOUNTERS

I grew up moving between Khayelitsha and Willowvale in the Eastern Cape. Whenever I was in Willowvale, I worked in my mother’s garden – I was not very enthusiastic about gardening, but I had to help out because, back then, we children would get spanked if we didn’t lend a hand. Apart from this, my grandfather used to take me up the mountains to show me wild animals and indigenous medicinal plants. It was during this period of my life that I developed an appreciation of the beauty and power that resides within the natural world.

A DIFFERENT PATH