Permaculture derives from the words ‘permanent’ ‘agriculture’. It is a philosophy and practise that teaches farmers to cultivate land using whatever resources are available. Natural forces such as rain, direction of sunlight, water and wind are taken into consideration to ensure self-sustainable and edible gardens. To impart such knowledge, Food and Trees for Africa recently hosted a one-day permaculture workshop inside eHub Diepsloot.

Fifteen participants came together on Friday, 9 June 2017 to learn more about permaculture and how its’ practices could be used to their advantage. The Wot-If? Trust had approached Food and Trees for Africa to host this workshop to equip people interested in agriculture with the correct knowledge to become self-sustainable “farmers”.

Due to the lack of land, resources and education in an environment such as Diepsloot, The Wot-If? Trust ensured that the criteria of workshop participants was based on their existing interest or involvement in agriculture. Half of the participants in attendance are service-users from Bona Lesedi Disability Centre and are currently underway in an agriculture learnership which is funded by the AgriSETA with the training partner as VV Mashona.

The other half of participants included a local landscaper, a successful crop production farmer who owns 1,2 hectares of land on the Northern Farms as well as two “gardeners” from The Wot-If? Trust premises and from a nearby equine therapy farm, Shumbashaba.

The first half of the workshop was spent gaining theoretical knowledge inside the spacious eHub Diepsloot training room. Food and Trees for Africa supplied all 15 participants with an informative permaculture workbook to be used as a reference well after the workshop ends. The second half of the workshop was highly practical as participants created an edible food garden around eHub Diepsloot. Following a well-deserved lunch break, participants left thrilled by their fun-filled and inclusive learning experience.

“It was lovely to work with people from different spheres of the world as I personally learnt so much as I interacted with people who are mentally challenged,” said Emmanuel Sinthumule the Food and Trees for Africa facilitator of the day.”

You can now find; mustard seeds, cauliflower, cabbage, beetroot, parsley, oregano, fennel and leeks growing in perfect conditions around eHub Diepsloot in Extension 10. Come and take a walk through the permaculture garden, as we will soon be cultivating this produce to consume inside our Cyber Café and to sell at nearby markets.