GEORGE NEWS - The Blanco Garden Competition, held by Kos and Fynbos, culminated with a prize giving at the Blanco Community Hall on Saturday.

Each participant received an award (either bronze, silver or gold) and some gardening tools, handed over by Deputy Mayor Daniël Maritz. He expressed the hope that the rest of George will catch on to the project with as much enthusiasm as Blanco's gardeners.

The competition, launched last year, drew 55 entries. Dr Zilla North, from Blanco Clinic, and one of the main driving forces behind the competition, said that during the competition it became clear that many of the people in Blanco know what they are doing and they are doing it well. "We would like to see their knowledge imparted to the younger generations. It became evident during the competition that there is a wonderful sense of community and abundance of sharing and generosity around gardening, vegetable growing and gardeners.

"We hope that the rest of George will follow the example of the Blanco community in order to grow the city's resilience against water scarcity, soil depletion, alien plants, climate change, urbanisation and inadequate town planning. The buffers against these threats are food security, a sense of cooperation and unity in a community, the natural environment and the local economy."

Also speaking at the function was Prof Raymond Auerbach, a lecturer in soil science and crop production at the NMMU George Campus, who expressed his delight at the initiative of Kos and Fynbos and the enthusiasm of the Blanco community. He said they are true proponents of the Afrikaans saying, 'gesondheid uit die grond uit' (health from the soil). This kind of project can help build a new South Africa from grassroots where people are growing their own food. "This is sustainable development and what we desperately need in South Africa."

He said artificial substances and modern food production methods have reduced the nutrient content of food and the university is encouraging organic food production, therefore Kos and Fynbos has their backing.

Blanco resident Eve Stoffels, who put a tremendous effort into the competition, challenged other areas in George to hold a competition that can draw more than 55 entries. She wants to see people all over George harvesting crops from their own gardens. "It was a privilege to be part of a group of people who have made a beginning of something that I hope will grow bigger and bigger," she said.
For more information regarding the Kos and Fynbos project, contact Chris Godfrey on 083 500 3090/ chrisgodfrey3@gmail.com, or Eve Stoffels on 072 257 9428

The competition was sponsored by NMMU, Wildlife and Environment Society (Wessa), Fancourt, Garden Route Botanical Garden, Permaculture SA, Department of Agriculture, George Municipality and the George Herald.

PHOTO GALLERY


Some of the organisers and sponsors, from left: Deputy Mayor Daniël Maritz, Eve Stoffels (Kos and Fynbos), Dr Zilla North (Kos and Fynbos), Anthonie du Toit (NMMU), Prof Raymond Auerbach (NMMU) and Chris Godfrey (Wessa/Kos and Fynbos). Photo: Monica Vaccaro

ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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