Feed The Khaltsha (FTK)

Feed the Khaltsha (FTK) organic garden was established by Thapelo Xabanisa in February 2020, based at the Sibongile day and night care center. Feed the Khaltsha started off with the intentions of supplying organic vegetables to the Sibongile center so as to provide organic vegetables to children with cerebral palsy (CP) and other severe disabilities thereby saving the center thousands of Rands every month and instead of them buying vegetables FTK would supply them. The demand for vegetables in the area grew and as a result prompted FTK to also sell to the community at large.

FTK currently has four full time members Thapelo, Bululeka (Bax), Mandla and Buhle responsible and managing the garden. From the initial 3 beds of spinach, the garden has grown tremendously and is about 403m2 in size with a variety of produce planted. The team has extensive knowledge in organic agri-processes that include soil preparation, planting and cultivation; sales and marketing as well as the core principles of permaculture making their garden more efficient and resilient.

They plant seasonal vegetables such as brinjal (eggplant), carrots, leek onion, potatoes, spinach, lettuce, peppers, spring onion, cabbage, chili peppers and herbs. The vegetables are donated to the Sibongile day and night care center, sold directly to the community, sold at markets such as the Abalimi Bezekhaya community market, U-Cook SA and PEDI market and they are in constant engagements with the local restaurant establishments so they can buy their vegetable from them thus contributing to local economic development.

Their plans include the expansion of the garden space, they are in the process of acquiring additional land, and provide basic organic gardening training to the community members. As the demand to supply organic vegetables increase they are looking at employing more young people and are in need of shade cloth to protect the vegetables during the hush summer sun and strong winds.