Despite the promising economic growth that South Africa enjoyed before the current economic downturn, poverty still persists across the country both in urban and rural areas. With South Africa’s unemployment rate estimated at 23.5% and a slowing growth rate due to the economic recession, South Africans need to look for alternative solutions for poverty alleviation.
Government alone can not succeed in reducing poverty, it is the responsibility of all the stakeholders to ensure that there is a concerted effort to fighting poverty, in that way they will manage to make a dent on poverty.

Trevor Manuel and the National Planning Commission called on social organisations to assist government to fulfill the Medium Term Strategic Framework aimed at offering a plan of action in social development.

Siyakhana has already heeded that call, the group was formed as a result of the engagement between the Wits Health Promotion Unit (HPU) and the NGOs involved in home-based care. The engagement and research carried out by the HPU showed that food security and nutrition is a critical issue that needed to be addressed. A food garden initiative was then started using permaculture method to address urban poverty.

The project answers a number of the Millennium Development goals which focuses on ‘eradicating extreme poverty and hunger’ as it addresses issues of food security. More so, permaculture projects such as Siyakhana offer a long-term empowerment solution to women through education, research and other skills needed for running the project.

The project also takes care of the environment and healthy living.
Once a dumping area in Bezuidenhout Park , inner City of Johannesburg, Siyakhana developed a garden producing herbs, vegetables and seedlings as an exercise in social reform. This was spearheaded by Professor Michael Rudolph, Head of the Community Dentistry and Health Promotion Unit at Wits University.

Currently, the Siyakhana project provides fresh vegetables, herbs, grains and legumes to nine active organisations in Early Childhood Development and Non-Government Organisations providing home based care to the less fortunate.

The National Development Agency has demonstrated its belief in the project by granting R 733,150 in 2007. Siyakhana used to help pay for stipends, buy seeds, as well as a vehicle that would be used for deliveries, and provide necessary training.

Amidst the economic downturn, South Africa’s unemployment rate has sky-rocketed, however social mobilisation such as Siyakhana has ensured that those without employment are still able to put bread on the table.

For more information, please contact Makgodu Tsehloane, NDA Marketing & Communications Manager on 011 018 5500 / 083 444-4114.