South Africa: 'No Hunger Here' - How a Lenasia Community Garden Helps Unemployed Families Put Food On the Table

In Lenasia South, South Africa, a community garden is helping unemployed families put food on the table. Ramsenyane Lefenya, a 34-year-old father of three, is one of about 40 volunteers who work at the garden. With the Social Relief of Distress grant from Sassa providing only R370 monthly, Lefenya's family often struggled to afford enough food.

Joining the community garden has changed his life. He now takes home fresh vegetables daily, which he uses to prepare nutritious meals for his family. The garden, started by Mannini Ntlaba in 2022 after she was retrenched, has grown into a thriving initiative covering a hectare and producing a variety of vegetables. The produce is not only for the garden's members but also sold at a stall, with the proceeds helping to sustain the project.

Elderly community members and preschools also benefit from the garden's donations. Lefenya's experience with the garden has taught him how to grow food at home, enabling him to supplement his family's diet and reduce his dependence on the Social Relief of Distress grant.