Joel Raphiri, 64, and his wife Plantina, have been running a community garden in Stinkwater, near Hammanskraal, for over a decade. The garden, dubbed the Raps garden, provides fresh organic vegetables to families in Refentse, Stinkwater, and surrounding areas. The couple, staunch members of the Hope For Christ Ministry, were driven by persistent dreams to create a vegetable garden that could provide the community with healthy food.
The garden is entirely organic, using natural borehole water for irrigation and only cow dung manure as fertiliser. According to Joel, the community's reliance on organic produce has led to improved health, with none of them suffering from diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure. The garden now feeds over 100 people in the Stinkwater community and surrounding areas, including Dilopye, Eersterus, and Mogogelo.
Joel and Plantina's initiative began when they had over 70 mouths to feed in their single garage, which had turned into a community centre and church. They used their tithe, or a tenth of Joel's salary, to build a fence, dig a well, and sink a borehole to create the garden. Plantina says they had to take every cent from the family coffers to prepare meals for the community, and they are glad that some of the children have grown up with the little they provided.
The couple currently has seven volunteers assisting them with gardening, and Joel emphasises that the project's success depends on his personal responsibility and leadership. He notes that people are willing to offer support, but the project's leader must drive it forward. Joel works as a bus driver but has not received a salary for over a year, adding to their own reliance on the garden.
The garden is a prime example of a traditional Sepedi practice called letsema, where community members gather to help a neighbour clear land, farm, or build a house. However, Joel and Plantina's initiative is unique in that it aims to provide healthy food to families that cannot afford it, rather than generating income.
The impact of the garden on the community has been significant, with many benefiting from the fresh produce. Joel and Plantina's dedication to their community is evident in their hard work and commitment to providing healthy food. Their initiative serves as an inspiration to others, highlighting the importance of community solidarity and the positive impact that one couple can have.
The Raps garden is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives and the importance of access to healthy food. As Joel and Plantina continue to tend to their garden, they remain committed to their goal of providing fresh produce to those in need. Their story serves as a reminder that even small actions can have a significant impact when driven by a desire to make a positive difference.
Key points
- The garden provides fresh organic produce to over 100 people in the Stinkwater community and surrounding areas.
- The garden is entirely organic, using natural borehole water for irrigation and only cow dung manure as fertiliser.
- The initiative is driven by a desire to provide healthy food to families that cannot afford it, rather than generating income.
