The Umthathi Training Project (UTP) in conjunction with Sakhulutsha Environmental Club (SEC), green the yard of the pensioner in Extension 7 on Friday afternoon. 

The Xhora street resident, Nonantithi Hempe, 92 year, said the UTP and SEC relieved her after they opened the beds of garden at the back of her house. Hempe said they [Umthathi] had planted different type of vegetables (spinach, beetroot and cabbage) in three garden beds. “I am happy that my yard is cultivated into my own garden and I will take care of watering the plants,” She explained “I used to plant in Enxuba many years ago using compost,” said Hempe. 

The Umthathi facilitator, Xolela Qinela and also the coordinator of Sakhulutsha Environmental Club told the Grocotts Mail that their vision is to green the Xhora street. He said: “We were doing the double digging and we managed to came up with three beds.”Qinela added that they encouraged children to be actively helpful in the community and green their yards. He said the SEC was established recently by the group of 15 children. 

One of the 15 children, Luthando Ncokothwani, 11, said the gardening can help children to be social active and to be distanced from crime. He said: “I learned on how to plant and respect the older people.” Ncokothwani added that the gardening projects can help the community to stop buying in shops. 

The SEC chairperson, Lindisipho Swartbooi said the reason for developing children is to take them out of crime. “They train football every week and on Friday holds meeting,” said Swartbooi. He added that if they allowed them to grow up in such a vulnerable environment they will fall on the bad side of criminals. “I want to developed them in the good manner,” said Swartbooi.