D6 garden allows city’s homeless to bloom again

“I CAN see it now. A nice braai spot over there. Creepers so that no one looks in, tables and chairs here,” said Heinrich Kladie, a homeless man, who now works in the new 1000 square metre garden launched at the weekend.

The organic vegetable garden is an initiative of the Streetscapes project which aims to help homeless people in Cape Town. The vegetables, to be planted on land donated by Trafalgar High School in District Six, will be sold to residents of the City Bowl, restaurants and also stores like Food Lover’s Market.

“This is the next project phase happening. The city put in funding for the pilot project. This garden is about creating a social answer to a social problem. Second, it is on the premises of the school and the pupils will get to learn about gardening at school. There is also a demand for organic, fresh vegetables,” said ward councillor Brandon Golding.

Francois Coetsee, the garden developer, said people living on the streets would be employed and hopefully regain their dignity. “There is an 80percent success rate, as 15-20 people are in recovery,” he said.

“Peppers, mealies and flowers will be planted here. A variety of marigolds and petunias will be planted. Also, spinach, Italian parsley…” added Coetsee.

One of the homeless people working in the garden, Zamuxolo Masabalala, 45, said: “It opened my mind and doors for me to enjoy it. When I look at it, I have friends. I was lonely on the streets. My dignity is back as lots of opportunities are on the way. I feel happy, we are like a rainbow nation.”

Heinrich Kladie, 44, said: “It makes me feel a part of civilisation, different from when I was neglecting myself. It’s different from when I was previously advantaged. Now I’m disadvantaged, but I’m blooming. I have this job in the garden.”

Planting was not the only activity yesterday. There was another project where people from the Skin Renewal Institute helped create a mosaic to attach to the fence surrounding the garden.

IT OPENED MY MIND FOR ME TO ENJOY IT. I HAVE FRIENDS. I WAS LONELY ON THE STREETS

This mosaic is constructed from bottle caps that were collected and washed, and the community helped by using wire and burning holes into the tops. Wire was then

PICTURE: DAVID RITCHIE DIGNITY REGAINED: Tendai Vazhure waters newly planted seedlings. Dozens of volunteers came to help at the launch of the 1000m² inner city vegetable garden at Trafalgar High School in District Six.