Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Units instil importance of garden projects

The Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Units (SLCE), Community Engagement and Work Integrated Learning embarked on a food garden project at Excelsior High School in Belhar.

The initiative was driven by the Green Legacy student team, the Civic Engagement Student Leadership Academy. In the Student Leadership Academy, student teams are required to align their individual projects with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This project is aligned with the second goal, creating a world free of hunger by 2030.

Excelsior High School in conjunction with the Western Cape Education Department feeding scheme makes provision for approximately 300 learners to have a meal daily. “Each student and staff member at CPUT represents a community. As a university who strives toward accountability in terms of social responsibility, we must embrace our neighbouring schools and communities. Embarking on projects of such nature reduces food insecurity and instils a sense of responsibility in learners at a very young age to adjust their thinking in terms of food security,” said David Haarhoff, Project Lead.

Luthando Ndayi, group leader of Green Legacy, placed emphasis on the importance of food garden projects and the positive impact it has on society in general. Learners committed to their involvement by signing a pledge indicative of their commitment to the project and the broader goal of creating a world free of hunger. The programme started off with formalities, followed by a quiz and then the planting of crops. Horticulture students (Advanced Diploma as well as postgraduate students) partnered with the SLCE units by offering expert advice and guidance to both learners and students.

“We are also extremely grateful for Shadowlands Nursery’s contributions toward crops planted at the school. Each little contribution adds to the success of the bigger picture,” said Haarhoff.

Feedback from learners was they had fun activity and would love to do it again and learning about the environment was the best thing ever. They were grateful to CPUT before urging the team to come back and teach them more about gardening so that they can tell others at home how brilliant gardening was.

Jacqui Scheepers, Manager SLCE, indicated that projects like these provide opportunities for students to engage and contribute to society in an interdisciplinary and intercultural environment, which is in line with CPUT’s Vision 2030. “This project is important for our institution as it encourages learners to see learning as fun and positive. Engaging with our students in Civic Engagement projects allows for learners to consider and to view post-school studies, hopefully at CPUT, as a future option.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

Email: boyceap@cput.ac.za