Grassroots agriculture and urban farming in Durban

Posted on 7 May 2012

Grassroots growing turns into a sustainable enterprise

After traipsing Durban flat on foot in search of authentic local food experiences, we took the opportunity to visit some food growing projects. The first was in the peri-urban area of Umbumbulu, where the Newlands Mashu Community Development Centre is working with local people in support of grassroots agricultural enterprises. Paula Osborn and Gabriel Mngoma were our guides – two people from very different backgrounds but equally passionate about the importance of empowering people to grow food sustainably, primarily for their own consumption but also with a view to generating sustainable income streams.

We met Mr Mkhize, a land owner in Umbumbulu who has successfully initiated a cooperative of nine people who together grow enough food to feed their families, and supply the Umbumbulu Agrihub with surplus that is sold on. They are currently making enough money to enable them to expand the business gradually while also saving some “for a rainy day”.

Urban regeneration – a rooftop farm in central Durban!

Back in central Durban, an urban regeneration programme run by Drake & Scull for eThekwini Municipality is showing people what can be done in unexpected urban spaces. In their case, it’s a rooftop that they’ve developed into a thriving urban farm. There is an indigenous flora section as well as an organically cultivated vegetable garden, and the edible produce is either sold on to local restaurants such as The Corner Cafe, and even the local Chicken Licken (!), or given away to soup kitchens, schools and orphanages. They even doing their bit for the bees by hosting a roof-hive.

Innovative projects light the way

The work that both these initiatives are undertaking are exemplary models of sustainability. It shows that a little well-positioned thought and determination can go a long way to improving both human spaces and lives. Nice one, Durbs!

Note:If you can help the Umbumbulu Agrihub programme to obtain new funding sources, or would like more information about sponsoring farmers or being supplied with fresh organic veg boxes please email Paula at:  [email protected]






yoast-primary -
tcat - Food Culture
tcat_slug - food-culture
tcat2 -
tcat2_slug -
tcat_final - food-and-drink