
Between the 2nd and 4th of December 2020, Al-Imdaad Foundation hosted students from the Nkosi Senzangakhona Garden Project in Mpumalanga Province as part of a knowledge sharing and exchange programme facilitated by Deputy-Minister for Social-Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu.
This follows a visit by the Al-Imdaad Foundation’s Community Gardeners to the Nkosi Senzangakhona Garden in October which was the first phase of the exchange programme. This garden was founded by Inkosi Mhalangu, the Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders. At the start of Phase 2 of the exchange programme at Al-Imdaad Foundation’s Community Garden in Estcourt, Inkosi Mahlangu explained the importance of the exchange initiative saying, “It’s the first time my students will be in Estcourt so they will be exposed to different cultures. But mainly they’ll be exposed to one of the most important cultures, being agriculture. This is one culture that brings us all together, this is one culture that makes sure there is food on the table. I advise my students to listen and learn so that we can benefit.” During their visit, the students from Senzangakhona Garden received practical, on the ground training by working together with the Al-Imdaad Foundation’s Community Garden team. They also spent time in the Aquaponics Greenhouse Dome and were introduced to the basics of Aquaponics and Hydroponics growing methods. The exchange programme is the brainchild of Deputy-Minister Bogopane-Zulu who has been working together with the Al-Imdaad Foundation on various projects for up to 9 years. The honourable Deputy-Minister and various other officials were present for the start of Phase 2 of the programme on December 2nd. Representatives of the National Development Agency and SASSA also attended. Earlier on, Deputy-Minister Bogopane-Zulu had described the initiative saying, “A joint effort between young people who get to learn different aspects practically. In this way we can make agriculture ayoba!”