KSE Foundation and UWC Nature Reserve’s Collaborative Workshop at Thembalethu – A Day of Collaboration and Learning

On Tuesday, June 25th, the KSE Foundation partnered with the UWC Nature Reserve for a transformative workshop at Thembalethu in Gugulethu, a township in Cape Town, Western Cape. The event was orchestrated by Dr. Gérard Filies from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), with the primary aim of empowering the local community and fostering sustainable practices.

Thembalethu: A Beacon of Hope

Thembalethu, meaning “Our Hope” in Xhosa, is a facility dedicated to providing social care to people with disabilities. It operates under the Western Cape Association of the Physically Disabled (APD) and is managed by Thembile Gcukumeni. This vibrant center plays a pivotal role in the Gugulethu community, offering various services and initiatives to support its residents.

Exploring the Facility

During our visit, Thembile Gcukumeni gave us a comprehensive tour of the facility. We were introduced to their sowing room, which currently has only one working machine, highlighting the need for more resources to enhance their capabilities. The kitchen was another focal point, with plans underway to acquire an oven and establish a small coffee shop, leveraging Thembile’s background as a trained baker. Additionally, we explored their garden space, earmarked for vegetable planting, which aims to make the facility self-sufficient.

Contributions and demonstrations

Indigenous Plant Donation

The University of the Western Cape donated various indigenous plants and conducted demonstrations on propagating these plants. Among the notable plants were Spekboom, known for its hypertension-reducing properties when its leaves are consumed, and Aloe Vera, whose juice is beneficial for healing skin conditions.

KSE Foundation’s Contributions

Representatives from the KSE Foundation, including Erica Adams, Jai Bhana and Deidré Coetzee have made significant contributions to Thembalethu’s gardening efforts. We donated approximately ten each of the following herbs and vegetables: Celery, Parsley, Chillies, Coriander, and Lettuce.

Worm Farm Creation

A major highlight of our visit was the creation of a worm farm. We demonstrated the process, starting with feeding the earthworms kitchen scraps like fruits, vegetables, cardboard, and shredded paper. These worms will produce worm castings (solid compost) and worm tea (liquid compost), which are invaluable for organic gardening. We emphasized the benefits of making organic compost and provided guidance on how to create additional worm farms as needed.

Fostering Sustainability and Hope

Our collective efforts at Thembalethu were aimed at fostering sustainability and instilling hope within the community. By contributing plants, trees, and sustainable gardening techniques, we hope to empower the residents of Thembalethu to cultivate their own food and create a greener, self-sufficient environment.

Contact Information

For more information about the workshop and our ongoing efforts, feel free to contact Deidre at 0834018989 or Jai at 0795091163.