Inspired by his personal journey with backyard gardening, a local farmer has founded an organisation to promote self-sufficiency by teaching communities to sustain themselves from their own gardens.
Vuyisile Motsamai started as a backyard gardener in 2021 because he wanted to provide his family with fresh, chemical-free vegetables. Over time, he fell in love with the process of nurturing food directly from the soil. It was not until 2024 that he realised that he could teach others to do the same.
“A defining moment for me was realising that many people go to bed hungry simply because they lack knowledge about growing their own food. If someone has access to even a small portion of land, there’s no reason they can’t produce their own vegetables, eggs, or meat right from their backyard,” he said.
Through his organisation called A Step in the Right Direction, Motsamai has equipped people with practical skills to grow nutritious food while managing their gardens sustainably. He has hosted numerous organic gardening workshops and composting training sessions for backyard farmers across the Mangaung Metro.
“We’ve noticed a growing interest and love for organic gardening among the people we work with. There’s been a real shift in mindset; many community members are now solution-oriented, taking ownership of their circumstances and actively working to tackle food insecurity through self-reliance.”
With a focus on low-income areas within the metro, he has launched the War on Poverty Campaign to further the footprint of the initiative. The programme started in Botshabelo and will branch out to Thaba Nchu.
However, having limited resources does come with challenges, which restrict their ability to reach as many communities as he would like. To help bring this vision to life, Motsamai encourages locals to get involved by donating seeds and seedlings or volunteering during outreach programmes. Contact 072 204 3675 or visit Kgato Entle Community Projects NPO on Facebook.
Gypseenia Lion
gypseenia@mahareng.co.za
