A community gardening project got a helping hand last week, in the form of a new water tank donated by Cell C.
Ten volunteers from the Umzamomhle Community Development Project, in Mayfield spend much of their time in the project's communally owned gardens – and when their single water tank ran dry, they spent a lot of that time fetching a carrying water from a tap in nearby Extension 9.
A community gardening project got a helping hand last week, in the form of a new water tank donated by Cell C.
Ten volunteers from the Umzamomhle Community Development Project, in Mayfield spend much of their time in the project's communally owned gardens – and when their single water tank ran dry, they spent a lot of that time fetching a carrying water from a tap in nearby Extension 9.
On Friday Rhodes student community project Galela Amanzi, in collaboration with Umthathi Training Project, handed over a new water tank to Umzamomhle – whose delighted members were there to welcome it.
Pupils from the nearby Samuel Ntsiko Primary School entertained the audience with songs.
The project's chairperson, Sebenzile Plaatjie, explained how important the gesture was.
“Galela Amanzi has helped us a lot because there's no water in this area. We had one rainwater tank for irrigation and that was not enough,” said Plaatjie.
This was the 20th tank installed by Galela Amanzi and it coincided with the organisation's fifth birthday celebration.
Galela Amanzi works with local non-government organisations to install rainwater tanks in key locations in the historically disadvantaged and water scarce regions of Grahamstown.
The tanks provide water for irrigating communally owned vegetable gardens, cooking and drinking.
Galela Amanzi chairperson Jai Clifford-Holmes said the Umzamomhle project was shortlisted because of its important role in self-sustaining projects, especially in its recognition of the importance of vegetable gardens as a way to combat poverty.
Plaatjie said their main remaining challenge was security.
“We would like the municipality to enclose this area to keep thieves at bay,” Plaatjie said.
Cell C's manager of corporate social investment, Mercia Maserumule, said her company was not only about business.
“We are also about people, making a contribution to the communities, and helping communities address poverty, said Maserumule.
