Mandela Day: How ‘Life-Changing Garden’ in Bellville is planting seeds of hope

CapeTalk and 702's Africa Melane speaks to Monique Muller of the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP).

Listen below: 

As Mandela Day approaches on Friday, 18 July, many organisations are getting involved to make a difference in 67 minutes.

Muller says the Greater Tygerberg Partnership is focused on social and economic upliftment in the area.

For Mandela Day, the organisation will spend 67 minutes planting seeds in their Life-Changing Garden in Bellville.

The garden started during the COVID-19 pandemic when two unhoused individuals started planting vegetables to provide food for the community.

GTP saw this initiative and was 'inspired' to grow the garden to its full potential by planting seeds of hope to those who cross its path.

The garden embodies everything Mandela Day stands for: service, sustainability, and social impact.

GTP enrols individuals into various projects, from recycling to gardening. "It gives them a sense of pride and a sense of ownership," explains Muller.

He says the garden is about giving a 'hand up, not a hand out' to people living on the streets.

The garden's manager, a previously unhoused individual, graduated through the GTP program and is now living in a rented home because of GTP's 'hand up' approach, says Muller.

"We saw the potential to transform this piece of land into something meaningful, such as a sustainable food garden which empowers homeless individuals to work, develop their skills and restore their dignity. This garden is more than just a garden; it is a place of hope and transformation."

- Monique Muller, Greater Tygerberg Partnership

"It's amazing to see how the garden has touched lives... just to see the outcome it has on these individuals is amazing."

- Monique Muller, Greater Tygerberg Partnership

To spend your 67 minutes with the Life-Changing Garden's initiative, sign up here.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.