​A food garden at Kanana Primary School will supply fresh fruit and vegetables to the school’s feeding scheme, adding to children’s nutrition.

KANANA Primary School in Rabie Ridge, Midrand, has brought a new life to an unused piece of land by turning it into an organic food garden.

Kanana’s principal, Sello Malobola, plants a fruit treeKanana’s principal, Sello Malobola, plants a fruit treeThe food garden, which was spearheaded by City Parks in partnership with BMW Financial Services, will provide much-needed vegetables. They will be used in the school feeding programme from when they start ripening in a few months’ time.

A donation of R150 000 was made by BMW Financial Services to develop the garden. It will enable teachers to teach learners about the importance of caring for their environment.

At a colourful ceremony held on Friday, 9 March at the school to celebrate the creation of the food garden, Ward 80’s councillor, Pretty Sikweqa, thanked City Parks and BMW Financial Services for creating the garden. The project had resulted in the temporary employment of nine residents from the community.

“We thank you for giving us this beautiful garden. It is because of your intervention we are now able to make good use of the land,” said Sikweqa.

The ceremony was attended by learners from Kanana Primary, Midrand Child Welfare, BMW Financial Services and City Parks officials. BMW Financial Services’ human resources general manager, Cheryl McCrea, said the company was deeply committed to improving the lives of the people of Midrand and its surrounding communities.

“As a developing nation, we all have an obligation to nurture and provide skills to the younger generations to ensure equal opportunities in future and actively contribute towards eradicating poverty,” she said.

Turning unused land into a food gardenTurning unused land into a food gardenKanana’s principal, Sello Malobola, promised to make the food garden an integral part of the curriculum. “I am very excited about this project and it is a clear testimony that much can be done by working together. I hope this initiative will be adopted by residents.”

He urged them to make the garden a part of their lives. “The cheapest and nutritional food on earth is vegetables.”

Bongani Nxumalo from 94.7 Highveld Stereo said the food garden would provide education and a social outlet for the children. “The food garden will help save the school money by providing a continuous supply of healthy, organic produce at minimal cost.”

After the ceremony, Malobola signed a declaration, pledging to maintain the gardens. This was followed by the planting of fruits trees in the newly unveiled food garden.

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