Community Garden and Micro-Farming Initiatives Cultivate Growth and Opportunity on the KZN South Coast

Alongside food security and poverty upliftment, micro-farming initiatives unlock significant investment opportunities in the burgeoning rural sector. South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) has featured some of these key projects on the KZN South Coast that align with the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s 2030 vision of sustainable prosperity.

“Innovative community garden projects and local markets are creating meaningful connections between tourism, agriculture, and community development on the KZN South Coast,” explained Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE).

“Projects are empowering small-scale and subsistence farmers, enhancing food security, and generating economic opportunities at a grassroots level. Through strategic collaboration with tourism operators and local organisations, these garden initiatives reflect our commitment to inclusive, sustainable development that not only uplifts communities but also strengthens the region’s investment appeal in agri-tourism and eco-tourism sectors.”

Community Initiatives Showing Growth in the KZN South Coast

1.  Made for More Community Gardens (Amahlongwa)

Contact: Anele Zama on 073 164 9534 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.madeformore.org.za

In 2020, the pandemic-related closure of schools halted the Made for More sports programme, and the non-profit organisations started home visits. As an entity that uses sports to empower people with disabilities, many of the Made for More beneficiaries, extending from Umzinto to Durban, were in desperate need.

“We realised the bigger need at the time was food, as many of these children relied on the schools’ nutrition programme for meals,” explained Anele Zama, Made for More General Manager. “We approached corporates for food parcel donations which we delivered to homes, but knew this wasn’t a long-term solution.”

The team arranged for the donation of seedlings and, Zama, who is a community farmer herself, instructed families – many of whom are caregivers of children with disabilities – to grow their own vegetables. Made for More also has an established veggie garden at its Amahlongwa headquarters. The farming project has flourished, with families feeding themselves and selling the surplus to the NPO who sold it on or distributed it. Eventually, many families were self-sustaining, supplying their own markets and benefitting from sustainable income and food security.

“We have limited space but are looking for investors in another greenhouse at our headquarters as there is a growing demand for fresh, organic vegetables,” says Zama. “We also continue to instruct people in farming here and can provide water for those growing their own vegetables.”

2.  Siyavuna Abalimi Development Centre (Ramsgate)

Contact: Oxolo Langa on 039 312 0543 | 072 249 5453 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.siyavuna.org.za

Piloted in 2008 with NPO registration in 2011, Siyavuna (meaning: harvest in Zulu) Abalimi serves nine communities in Ray Nkonyeni and Umdoni municipalities, focusing on training smallholder farmers in growing chemical-free vegetables. This includes weekly, in-field mentorship, facilitating monthly Siyavuna Farmer Network meetings, and connecting farmers to sustainable markets.

With the help of its partners, Siyavuna has invested in development, research and re-alignment to the lessons learnt in the field. They also focus on sustainable agri-ventures, expanding value chains and strengthening their agricultural ecosystem.

“We believe there is potential in learning more about coffee-growing initiatives, the requirements involved, and any related training opportunities,” explained Oxolo Langa, Executive Director of Siyavuna Abalimi Development Centre. “We invite our local businesses and KZN South Coast communities to support our dried vegetable initiative, which includes beetroot, leek, and paprika powders. These products not only extend the shelf life of vegetables but also offer remarkable health benefits, all without any added preservatives.”

3.  Secret Sithela (Munster)

Contact: Jeanne-Louise Kinsey on 083 430 1258 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.secretsithela.com

Owner Jeanne-Louise Kinsey, has been developing the gardens of the 30-acre Secret Sithela estate since 2016. Visitors will discover the expansive organic herb and vegetable garden as well as a flourishing food forest that was started during the lockdown. There are also indigenous sections of the gardens featuring traditional medicinal plants and a ‘rewilded’ section that creates habitat for insects. The estate also featured an 18-acre indigenous forest that is also a conservation area with paths for visitors to wander through.

Secret Sithela features four self-catering guest units, and guests are welcome to order fresh, organic salad packs from the garden. Secret Sithela hosts natural farming retreats such as the ‘Earth Harmony Retreat’ and the annual ‘Farming Organic Food Festival’.

“We have also helped create food gardens in rural areas such as KwaNzimakwe and KwaMoto Ayingeni,” said Kinesey. “We love offering hands-on experience of sustainable food gardening and offer a four-day ‘Natural Farming Course’ which is an introduction to permaculture based on the work of Permaculture expert John Nzira."

Investment opportunities extend to their community garden upliftment projects, assisting with BEE compliance for companies, as well as organic crops that can be supplied to markets.

4.  Nemvelo Farm (Izotsha)

Contact: Clinten Peters on 084 727 6339 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This is another sustainable farm practice designed to work with nature rather than against. These farmers have implemented a natural cycle that is recreating healthy soil and growing organic produce that is sold to the public. Nemvelo Farm sells organic vegetables from The Waffle House restaurant.

Unlock More Growth in the KZN South Coast!

The KZN South Coast continues to position itself as a prime destination for investors across a diverse range of sectors. There are agriculture value-add opportunities that enhance local production and export potential, as well as key manufacturing areas including agri-processing, textile production, and building materials, supported by strategic positioning and infrastructure.

The region also presents untapped potential in mining and beneficiation, while the maritime and oceans economy offers avenues in tourism, boat-building, and coastal logistics.

In the logistics sector, the area is ripe for investment, with Margate Airport offering potential for storage, cargo handling, and warehousing solutions. This is supported by the region’s inclusion in the Eastern Seaboard Development, which further strengthens the investment case for the region. At the centre is the Port Shepstone commercial and business hub, making the KZN South Coast not only a tourism gem but a thriving economic ecosystem.

Green investors will find a welcoming landscape in renewable energy and the green economy, with solar and wind potential that aligns with sustainability goals. The hinterland tourism sector, anchored by attractions like KwaXolo Caves Adventures and Umzumbe River Trails, continues to expand to include other cultural and nature-based experiences.

The property sector is well-established with quality developments including Renishaw Coastal Precinct, Serenity Hills, and Umdoni Point Coastal Lifestyle Village signing a ground-breaking MoU with SCTIE. Other examples include Bahari Bay, Injabulo Lifestyle Estate, and Ekubo Coastal Estate.

Get in Touch

Find out more by downloading the Explore KZN South Coast app; visiting the KZN South Coast website; following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here.

To find out more about these and more investment opportunities, get in touch with SCTIE, the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop for investment. Contact SCTIE on 039 682 7944, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.

To purchase goods sold or secure services from these and other Buy Local businesses visit the online directory on the SCTIE website. To make orders from Buy Local members or to join the campaign, visit the Buy Local tag at www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za or click here for a membership form.

Follow the hashtags #unlockmore #unlockmoregrowth