How Durban’s Homeless Created Organic Farm

When South Africa’s government imposed a nationwide lockdown against the coronavirus, a group of homeless individuals in the city of Durban came together to create a life-altering initiative.

During lockdown, the city provided shelter to approximately 2 000 homeless people, 15 of whom decided to establish their own source of additional food.

In June, the group – using skills that they learned from a Zimbabwean farmer among them – established the Elangeni Green Zone, an organic vegetable farm, with backing from the local municipality.

Located on the site of the former shelter behind the Elangeni Hotel at North Beach, they have managed to grow the most incredible produce ranging from cabbage and carrots, to spinach and lettuce.

Sizwe Mbatha, a member of the initiative, said: “Since we all know that the homeless community is known for all the wrong things around the city, we decided to take it upon ourselves to … show people that they should give us the benefit of the doubt.”

He added: “This initiative has become our rehabilitation programme and it has brought us closer to the rest of the community.”

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