Siyazama Community Allotment Garden Association (SCAGA)

This would be achieved through cultivation by the members of their own nutritious organically grown vegetables, and sales to the surrounding community and into vegetable outlets around Cape Town.  The Cape Flats townships are low-income settlements characterised by poor nutrition at the household level.  A desire by the initial members to expand their home food gardens into a larger community-based garden gave rise to their approach to Abalimi for assistance.  This project is centered on the Khayelitsha community.

Innovation

SCAGA is changing the perception of the target market, in that they believe that vegetable production is a means to an end and not an end in itself.  Investigative work has been undertaken to measure exact earning potential of the gardens.  Inputs and outputs have been monitored and crop rotations have been established in place of more traditional seasonal plantings.  These findings are that a profit of R2.37/meter squared is entirely possible, with room for intensification if necessary.  Incentives are being provided for many groups to start their own vegetable garden.

Effectiveness

Objectives of the project were achieved through a multi-disciplinary approach involving ongoing technical support and input by Abalami and other partners in the Project and continual assessment of the outputs.  All members involved have benefited by having a ready source of food, newly acquired skills, and an association they were instrumental in starting, money in the bank and a future to look forward to.  With a waiting list for membership, its intended purpose of poverty alleviation, job creation, food security and nutrition has been achieved, with a total resource and infrastructure cost to date of R250 000 (includes fencing, irrigation, buildings, soil, fertility improvement, indigenous vegetation hedgerows etc). This equates to approximately R30 000 per job created.

Poverty Impact

The project was started to create jobs, whilst providing nutritious vegetables for home consumption.  Tourists are treated to home-baked fare and tea, which generates great income.  Financial success can be measured by the R6 000 in the bank of the project, as well as the organic vegetable outlets throughout the city.  The community as a business hub has adopted the Garden.  The project supports the livelihood of 30 people and their families.

Sustainability

No partners have withdrawn throughout the Garden’s growth to maturity, demonstrating the incredible commitment by all to establish a leading and replicable model for the future.  Funding problems have been few, particularly with the Garden beginning to show signs of sustainability.  The project is becoming more economic, reasonably assuring the final success of the project.  If the members can find their own way for successfully co-operating on a long-term basis, then the other project role-players would be redundant and the project would become truly sustainable. 

Replication:

The entire project was focused on creating a holistic replicable model.  There is no limit to the amount of people that it can affect in Africa.  Constraints to similar projects would be organisational structure and operational procedures, access to free or subsidised electricity, long-term funding, skill input for three years.

Partnerships

• National Government - Dept of Health
• Provincial Government - Dept of Health 90% funds, Dept Social Services and Poverty  Alleviation,
• Private Sector - De Beers, AngloVaal both contribute a total of 10% funds, Macassar Development Forum Savco (S.A. National Civic Organization)
• NGO's - Goededacht Agric Resource Centre, Abalami, WWF-SA