The Namaqua National Park, through the Corporate Social Investment (CSI) funding, donated four vegetable gardens as part of its Greening Programme and reopened soup kitchens in the community of Soebatsfontein and surrounding towns on 30 September.
The closure of vegetable gardens and soup kitchens − located in Soebatsfontein, Hondeklip Bay, Kommagas, and Kamieskroon − due to insufficient funds and lack of resources placed more than 400 community members at risk of malnutrition.
Through the CSI funding and facilitation of the South African National Parks (SANParks), the essential infrastructure and resources needed to restart these facilities have now been secured.
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In addition to funding, SANParks will provide mentorship and mechanisation training to local greening and gardening projects that face challenges. These initiatives aim to foster self-sufficiency, support food security, and create sustainable small businesses.
The initiative underscores SANParks’ commitment to create awareness on human–wildlife conflict, promote food gardens, and addressing hunger and poverty.
