Watch:Athlone's Jihaad turns rubbish patch into buzzing community garden

When an SAIE school agriculture lesson planted the idea, a pupil from Kewtown, Athlone set out to transform an empty patch of land opposite his home into a now flourishing community garden, Cape{town}Etc reports.

An instagram video by the South African Institute of Entrepreneurship (SAIE) shares Jihaad’s story. It all started 2 years ago, after SAIE helped Athlone North Primary set up classroom plots and run entrepreneurship lessons that led pupils to harvest and sell vegetables at a market day.

Over a school holiday, Jihaad, cleared the site with friends and family, removed rubbish and prepared beds. He taught himself basic soil care.

Together with SAIE’s knowledge and support over Whatsapp his seedlings established and harvests grew.

That sustained effort led to a full revamp two years later, when volunteers and local partners joined to expand the plot.

The garden drew wide public support after SAIE posted a follow-up video. The clip reached large audiences across social platforms and prompted one of Cape Town’s largest nurseries @tritoad to offer help.

Cape {town} Etc Discount Alert! Unlock Cape Town’s best experiences for half the price! From unforgettable adventures to hidden gems and mouthwatering restaurants, these limited-time deals won’t last long. Snag your discount before they’re gone!

Nurseries supplied seedlings, fruit trees, compost and mulch and community members pitched in to plant and water.

‘So I have this garden now for a very long time and I’m so happy what Cape Town Nursery brought me. I love this, I can’t even say how much I like this,’ Jihad said in the video.

Teachers and neighbours say the project shows how school programmes can bring lifelong skills, awaken passion and sprout local enterprise among youth.

The garden now serves as a hands-on classroom and a small income source for the young growers.

SAIE hopes the story will encourage more schools and businesses to turn unused land into community food and learning spaces.

Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!