RAVENSMEAD
WINNER BEST
OLD FRUIT VEG SHOP, EERSTERIVER TEL: 021 902 0303 Valid from 12th - 31st July 2017 WHILE STOCKS LAST STRICTLY HALAAL! OPEN 7 DAYS
FREE NEWSPAPER IN SA
500g Cracker Mix @
R2000 each Woensdag, 12 Julie 2017 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | epos: nuus@tygerburger.co.za
@TygerBurger
X1TPVFGM-AL120717
TygerBurger
Members of the DPSA Uitsig branch. PHOTO: ASTRID FEBRUARIE
UITSIG PRIMARY’S VEGETABLE GARDEN: PROMOTING SELFSUSTAINABILITY
Gardening for good ASTRID FEBRUARIE @astridfebruarie
T
he vegetable garden at Uitsig Primary School not only provides the learners of the school with healthy, nutritious food, but also promotes self-sustainability in the community. This is how Venessa Baaitjies, chairperson of the Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) branch in Uitsig, describes the garden that she helped to establish. The garden was established about four years ago when the DPSA Uitsig branch identified the space and approached the school to start a vegetable garden. Baaitjies says it took them about two years
to clear the space before they could start planting the seeds and reap what they had sowed. “When we first came to the school this whole area where the garden is was a bush and we needed to clear the space before we could do anything,” she says. The group started by clearing the bushes, trees and unwanted weeds and then drew up a plan of how exactly they would go about starting the garden. “We enjoyed every moment, as we knew the end result would be exactly what we wanted, and today it is exactly that – a garden of hope and peace,” Baaitjies says. The garden now produces a variety of vegetables including onions, tomatoes, brocco-
li, spinach, cauliflower and lettuce. “We are committed to keeping the garden up and running, as it not only provides nutritious meals to the school, but we are also to make use of the produce in our own homes and give to the broader community,” says Baaitjies. Roslyn Chippindale, secretary of the DPSA Uitsig branch, says they often have workshops that are open to the residents and which give them the opportunity to learn how to start their own vegetable gardens at home. “We want residents to know that they can become self-sustainable, and by growing their own vegetables they are able to feed themselves and their families daily without
CLEAR-VUE
ABAISHA CENTRE, 356 Halt Rd, ELSIES RIVER
(Opposite the Day Hospital),
021 932 0286
OPTOMETRISTS
Mon - Fri 9:00 - 18:00 • Sat 9:00 - 13:00 Closed Fridays from 12:30 - 14:00
having to be concerned about where the next meal will come from,” she says. Baatjies says they are supported by the provincial Department of Social Development, which provides them with the seeds. They are also supported by Lillian Masebenza, the CEO of Mhani Gingi Social Entrepreneurial Network, from whom they receive a stipend, as well as ongoing training on becoming self-sustainable. “We are extremely grateful for the support that we receive and will continue to use the skills that we acquire through our training and share those skills with the rest of the community,” Baaitjies says. V What is your opinion on this article? Let us know at briewe@tygerburger.co.za.
AVONWOOD SQUARE Shopping Centre, Cnr 35th & Balvenie Avenue
021 839 2125
Mon - Fri 9:00 - 18:00 • Sat 9:00 - 14:00 Closed Fridays from 12:30 - 14:00
VALID UNTIL 31 JULY 2017 • MOST MEDICAL AIDS ACCEPTED • LAY-BYES ACCEPTED • PLEASE CALL FOR APPOINTMENT
Colour Contact Lenses
R200
per box
BIF OCAL PACKAGE Frames, Lenses & Eye Testing
from
R600
Complete Specs Frames, Lenses & Eye Testing from
R400
Designer and Budget Packages Available
X1TPVE1R-AL120717