FAST FACTS
As a participant in United Way South Africa’s Urban Agriculture Programme, Mabel Dikobe has been able to access farmland, where she grows dryland crops, and farming tunnels, where she produces vegetables.
Dikobe supplies fresh produce to informal traders, supermarkets, and four nursery schools in Alexandra, Johannesburg.
Dikobe’s NGO, Mveledzo, runs a project that teaches 200 orphaned and vulnerable children in Alexandra how to grow their own food.
Mabel Dikobe produces vegetables and sugar bean on her 1ha farm in Eikenhof, Johannesburg. She also runs a feeding scheme in Alexandra and manages a community upliftment NGO called Mveledzo.
Dikobe, 68, was still at school when she first discovered her passion for agriculture. From a young age she cultivated vegetables in her family’s garden at home. This eventually led her to join the Alexandra Renewal Project in 2005. This project identifies opportunities for agricultural development in the community. That same year, she established Mveledzo, before starting her feeding scheme in 2007.
When the Alexandra Renewal Project first started, it was mainly a waste-management community programme. Dikobe organised campaigns, with the assistance of the Department of Environmental Affairs and the then Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to clean up parts of the township and turn them into vegetable gardens for the community. Members of the community also received training on how to maintain the gardens.
During one of the training workshops, an attendee spoke about receiving farmland from government, and Dikobe was curious to find out how this process worked.
FINDING HER WAY
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin March 05, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Farmer's Weekly dergisinin March 05, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Ancient Chinese horses: how are they related to modern breeds?
Archaeology of ancient graves containing horse skulls points to China's indigenous Jinjiang as a genetically unique breed, says Dr Mac.
In it for the win and so much more
The long-awaited GWM Tank 300 HEV has arrived. This feature-packed hybrid electric vehicle is the SUV of the future, writes Gary Wium.
Starting a small-farm vegetable project: Part 7
It is one thing to have a good product, but we need to bring its outstanding features to the attention of the purchaser, writes Bill Kerr.
A comparison between Phase C and Phase D growth tests
Melville Ferreira and Freek Botes, researchers at the Agricultural Research Council's Animal Production Insititute in Armoedsvlakte, explain why performance testing is important for herd progress.
Changing the potential of your soil
By building soil carbon levels, farmers can improve the resilience of their crops, reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertiliser, and buffer their crops against extreme weather. Glenneis Kriel reports.
A smart farm springs up and empowers locals
An experimental 'smart farm' is taking root at the doorstep of Gauteng's only Big Five game reserve and could become a blueprint for other socially and environmentally conscious farms in the future, writes Tanya Faber.
Proactive care helps to improve longevity of cows
Glenneis Kriel reports on the recent South African Cow Longevity Conference, where it was said that food security was the major concern at the moment.
Fresh market sales remain stable despite inflation
Cost fluctuations are a concern, but the potato market stands firm, writes Glenneis Kriel.
Ear implants can backtrack diseased cattle
However hard it hits the cattle owner to learn that there is unsuspected disease in their herd, it is to their advantage to know of it as soon as possible to prevent its further spread, as well as taking measures to eradicate the trouble where possible.
SA's electricity crisis: a dim legacy
South Africa's electricity crisis is the result of a series of failures over the past 30 years, says Mark Swilling, distinguished professor of Sustainable Development at Stellenbosch University.