Providence Moyo
In the heart of Tsholotsho’s Ward 2, a thriving garden run by San community member Davy Ndlovu is inspiring students and strengthening community ties through sustainable farming.
Ndlovu recently hosted learners from Dlamini Secondary School at his Exhanixhani homestead, where they gained hands-on experience in organic agriculture and nutrition. The garden, brimming with vegetables and fruit has become a beacon of community-led food security and educational outreach in Matabeleland North.
“We want young people to see that agriculture is not only about survival—it’s a path to empowerment and opportunity,” Ndlovu said.
The initiative is part of a growing local movement to promote sustainable livelihoods through farming that respects the land and the traditions of its people. Students learned about composting, crop rotation, and the health benefits of eating a variety of homegrown produce.
The Dlamini High learners, who visit the garden annually, left with more than just agricultural tips—they carried with them a sense of pride in local innovation and the potential of rural development.
“This garden is a classroom, a business model, and a source of hope,” said one of the visiting teachers.
Beyond the soil, Ndlovu’s impact is also reshaping perceptions of the San community’s role in local development. His leadership shows how traditional knowledge and modern techniques can work hand in hand to address pressing challenges like malnutrition, youth unemployment, and climate adaptation.
Local support for the initiative continues to grow, with calls for broader community participation and government support to scale such grassroots models of agribusiness.
