THERE’S probably no better time to celebrate SA’s #foodheroes than this year of COVID-19 and after the month of October when World Food Day was commemorated.
This year, EduPlant went online to gather the 42 finalist schools in its biennial national competition.
Seyisi Primary School, in the KwaZakele community, has been awarded first prize in the prestigious mentoring category of the EduPlant School Gardening and Nutrition Programme 2020 competition.
Seyisi is a centre of permaculture food-growing excellence, with an outdoor classroom, a nursery, a seed-saving project and an outreach programme, which helps other schools grow food sustainably.
The school received a R50 000 cash prize for first place in the mentoring category.
Coordinated by Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), EduPlant 2020 is supported by long-term partner, Woolworths and new sponsor, Tiger Brands.
Robyn Hills, FTFA programme manager, said, “EduPlant has run since 1994 and, in that time, we have supported, trained and resourced thousands of schools with educational materials, seeds, tools, plants, fruit trees and on-site workshops. The school gardens are amazing places for learning, growing food and bringing the community together.
“We congratulate the 2020 EduPlant winners, and acknowledge all the finalists and entrants for their efforts.
“They have served as critical food hubs during COVID-19, providing fresh, naturally grown vegetables and fruit in their communities.”
To keep the EduPlant programme and competition year on track during COVID-19, a microsite was developed for the food-gardening schools that entered into the competition by uploading videos showcasing their school’s capacity for growing food in their communities.
For more info and to view the 42 finalists’ video entries, visit the website at www.eduplant.org.
