Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: Emmanuel Haven Hydroponics Project

With at least 27% of people infected with HIV and 25% employed, Motherwell is in dire need of interventions that would improve ARV adherence, and address the myriad of other issues that stem from high poverty and unemployment rates. The Emmanuel Haven Hydroponics Project was established in 2004 to address these issues. A comprehensive public-private-community partnership was formed focusing on specific “clusters” of activity, with two clusters being dominant: the HIV/AIDS, and the horticulture clusters.The first step was the construction of two greenhouses, or hydroponics tunnels, that focuses on growing mainly tomatoes and cucumbers. These were completed in 2005, and by the end of the first year, had produced 266 tons of cucumber, and generated a profit of R450 000. The following year, the profit increased to R790 000. This money was channeled into building a Wellness Centre, a refurbished building in Motherwell to address some of the issues arising due to HIV/AIDS. The horticulture cluster’s main aim is to function as a source of income and nutrition, supporting the Wellness Centre’s activities. This includes running a commercial horticultural enterprise (currently comprising of three greenhouse tunnels), which provides employment for 30 full-time employees, and a further 30 casual labourers during picking season. The Wellness Centre consists of a day-care centre for adult HIV/AIDS patients that sees roughly 343 patients a month. There is also a crèche for children infected and affected by HIV, with an attendance of 411 children a month. There are also ARV and VCT clinics, as well as an Eye Clinic that treats 380 patients. The Centre provides 20 home-based carers who visit bed-ridden patients in the surrounding area. The centre also contains a community radio station, which focuses on HIV education and moral regeneration; and an educational centre for research. Partnerships were formed with government structures like Department of Social Development who donated the land and building for the centre. The Eastern Cape Agriculture and Economic Affairs Departments and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) also support the horticultural cluster of the project. Various private companies like Canon EC, Coca-Cola Foundation have assisted with renovating the centre. Local companies and organizations have also contributed to the horticultural cluster, such as Oshry Farms and the EC Development Corporation. The Radio Kingfisher Foundation assisted with the establishment of the radio station, and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University with the IT and research unit.    

Innovation

The Emmanuel Haven Hydroponics Project is a good model for combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It is an integrated marketplace approach neccessary to address the multi-dimensional causes and effects of HIV.

Effectiveness

The project is in its beginning stages and is only operating at 20% of its capacity. The information, communication and educational clusters are still developing. Planning for an additional cluster, focusing on providing support to local SMMEs, together with Rotary Algoa, is underway.The hydroponics greenhouses are currently contributing R30 000 to the Wellness Centre. The centre provides 20 home-based carers to the community and an average of 380 patients are attended to every month. Their crèche has an average attendance of 411 children and the ARV clinic treats 308 patients.  

Poverty Impact

The horticultural cluster has generated permanent employment for 30 people; 30 casual workers are employed during picking time and when the 250 greenhouse tunnelsare established, 250 families stand to benefit. 

   
Sustainability

The EC Agriculture Department provided R800 000; the NMBM gave R1.6 million towards the establishment of the hydroponics project. The Coca-Cola Foundation donated R750 000 to the renovation of the building; the Boardwalk sponsored R516 000; Canon EC gave R250 000; the Bosasa Group donated R50 000. The Emmanuel Farms needs R140 000 a month to run its operations and it is currently making R140 000 a month. The Wellness Centre needs R50 000 a month to run and once the project is running at full capacity it will be self-sustainable.

Replication

The goals of the project are significant enough to demand replication and has been recognised by the World Leadership Forum which has short-listed the project for a World Leadership Award in the health category.

Partnerships:

    * Department of Social Development
    * EC Agriculture Department
    * EC Department of Economic Affairs
    * EC Development Corporation
    * Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM)
    * Coca-Cola Foundation
    * Bosasa Group of Companies
    * Canon EC
    * Oshry Farms
    * Radio Kingfisher Foundation
    * Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Visit www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za for more information