Within two hectic days a Fresh Zone with two vegetable tunnels were erected at the Kopano Workshop for disabled people at Transnet Rail Engineering.
Zani Kunz, Executive Director of the Mike Loutfie Foundation, said on Thursday (06/08) these tunnels will provide a fresh and sustainable food source for all working at Kopano.
The Kopano Workshop for persons with disabilities is an education and experimental facility that has been in existence for 18 years. The workshop currently provice work opportunities and skills training for 54 people.
Ntabiseng Mologoana, manager of the Kopano Workshop, says everyone there is super excited about the new vegetable gardens.
“We provide meals for our workers and this fresh vegetables will go a far way. We all immediately took ownership of the gardens and are exited to be hands on in the planting, maintenance and harvesting of the fresh produce.” She said although the group take turns to come to work because of Covid-19, they have started their work again beginning of July. “We have devided everyone in two groups and there are only 28 people on the premises each day. The workers will also be able to take some of the vegetables home as soon as harvesting begins.”
Kunz says that communities all over South Africa now need support. “Covid-19 has exponentially increased the number of people in need and we as foundation are poised to respond with both meaningful and impactful solutions to close this gap.”
The Mike Loutfie Foundation sponsored the two tunnels and with the help of Madeleine van Zyl from Centpro Product Tunnes seedlings of beetroot, spinach and onion were planted on Thursday.
She also donated worm tea as well as a worm box so the seedlings could be well fed.
“If all goes well and they use the worm tea correctly, they will be able to harvest the spinach within six weeks.”
