A lush vegetable garden on the 12th floor of a high-rise building in inner-city Johannesburg is making a significant impact on the lives of its residents. The Lake Success Rooftop Food Garden, set beneath a cluster of satellite dishes, offers stunning views of Hillbrow and its iconic Ponte City building. This small hydroponic garden is a great example of green spaces in urban areas, utilizing a system where plant roots are exposed to nutrient-rich water, allowing them to grow 30-50% faster and produce higher yields while using up to 90% less water than traditional soil farming.
The rooftop garden was established in 2012 by Makhulong A Matala, the community development arm of the Johannesburg Housing Company (JHC). The aim was to empower people, promote healthy eating, and supplement incomes through sales. The project began with container gardens in collaboration with the Food Gardens Foundation and the Johannesburg Development Agency. Later, other organizations such as Food and Trees for Africa, Jozi Food Farmer, and Mbuli Gardens joined the initiative.
Volunteers Busisiwe Mkhwanazi and Nonhlanhla Radebe have been trained in gardening methods, garden management, and basic business skills. They live in the building and say the garden has brought them joy and taught them valuable skills. The women tend to the garden two or three times a week, finding it beneficial for their minds and learning how to plant seeds, grow seedlings, and make compost. They package and sell fresh greens to residents and at local markets, maintaining a continuous growing cycle.
According to Sipokazi Somzana, community development manager for Makhulong A Matala, the garden has improved food security in the building. She believes that rooftop hydroponic projects like this can be a step towards cities that feed themselves. Somzana is involved in various Makhulong A Matala projects that aim to combat the isolation of inner-city high-rise living, including hydroponic gardens, educational integration programs, and tenant leadership structures.
Lungisani Ntuli, general manager of Makhulong A Matala, explains that their approach is developmental, teaching skills that will help people have sustainable enterprises and livelihoods. The Johannesburg Housing Company (JHC) started in 1995 and has transformed numerous buildings into stable residential buildings, providing affordable homes for around 13,500 people. Lake Success, where the garden is located, was previously a hijacked building that was turned around by the JHC and the City of Joburg in the late '90s.
Lake Success in 10 Pietersen Street was transformed into a clean, safe, and regulated space, and it is part of the Hillbrow Ekhaya Neighborhood Improvement District. This initiative was championed by property owners, local businesses, and NGOs to secure and clean up public streets, improve safety, and provide community support. The building's transformation was a major milestone for social housing in Hillbrow, with the first new tenants moving in in 2002.
The success of the Lake Success Rooftop Food Garden is a testament to the impact of community development initiatives in urban areas. By providing skills, promoting healthy eating, and supplementing incomes, such projects can make a significant difference in the lives of residents. As Ntuli says, the idea is to foster a village spirit in high-rises, where neighbors look out for one another and cooperate to solve their collective problems.
Key points
- The garden has improved food security in the building and provides a sustainable source of income for residents.
- The project teaches valuable skills, including gardening methods, garden management, and basic business skills.
- The initiative aims to foster a village spirit in high-rises, promoting community cooperation and social development.
