Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEOS - A community garden at Tyholora Primary School in Thembalethu, a source of income and food not only for the women who tend the garden, but also for the community and school, has fallen victim to goats and vegetable thieves. 

The women responsible for the food garden say they were really looking forward to the new crops after the December holidays, but to their dismay, goats broke through the temporary fence and ate most of the cabbage. 

The rest was stolen by local troublemakers.

"For the last three months, we could not sell any vegetables to put bread on the table. This is really sad, because people know we sell the vegetables to the community, and yet they show no respect."

Dumping is a big problem in this community, and the rubbish at a dumping spot at the back gate of the school is a big attraction for the wandering goats who then also raid the garden. 

The women say they know how to run a big community garden, but they need proper fencing to keep the goats out. They also complain about insects eating the plants. But, after applying for financial aid from the provincial department of agriculture last year, it seems help is on its way.

The hole in the fence where goats gained entry to the food garden causing massive damage to the community garden's crop.

Watch a video below:

Funding
Bianca Capazorio, spokesperson for the minister of economic opportunities, says the women applied for support late in 2017, and funding was finally approved in February.

"They have been allocated R120 000 for fencing, infrastructure and production. Projects are only approved when funding is available."

She says they view food gardens as an important tool in ensuring food security in communities. Capazorio says in the 2016/17 year, they assisted with the establishment of 78 community food gardens and 1 270 household food gardens to ensure that residents are able to grow their own, nutritious food.

She says the women were informed about the approval last week. "They have been kept informed of the progress of the application."

The memorandum of understanding was signed on Thursday afternoon.

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'