- Abalimi Bezekhaya’s Khayelitsha Garden Centre, led by field program manager Babalwa Mpayipeli, won the Eco-Community bronze award at the Ecological Awards on Wednesday 30 October.
- The center, which promotes sustainable food gardening, empowers locals by offering workshops, seedlings, and infrastructure support.
- Emphasizing the health benefits of chemical-free produce, Mpayipeli encourages communities to support local food sources.
Passion and determination are some of the traits that have contributed to the growth of Abalimi Bezekhaya, said Babalwa Mpayipeli field programme manager for Abalimi Bezekhaya Khayelitsha Garden Centre.
The centre scooped the Eco-Community bronze during the Ecological Awards held at the Two Ocean Aquarium in Waterfront on Wednesday 30 October.
Mpayipeli bragged that it was not the first time they won the prize. It was the repeat of their 2020 success. She said they are delighted to see that there are people who appreciate and recognise what they do in the communities.
Mpayipheli said the centre is not only about planting vegetables and herbs, it also educates and empowers people.
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“We promote food gardening. We do workshops where we train people about the garden. We also provide seedlings for people to start their gardens. We even go beyond that and provide infrastructure support where we install boreholes and irrigation schemes and even maintain them,” explained Mpayipeli, adding that they work with people who have household gardens or people who have up to one hectare of land. She stated that their workshops are open for everyone. Their vegetables and herbs are natural produce.
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Mpayipeli said it is important for the people to eat healthy in to remain healthy. “It is vital to know what you are eating. Our vegetables are healthier than the one you buy in the supermarket because we don’t use chemicals. We are trying to educate the communities about the importance of knowing what are the side effects of what you are consuming,” she said.
Mpayipeli said it is important to know where the food comes from. She appealed to the communities to support local businesses and organisations.
