Programme Director

Councillors present

HOD of GDARD

Officials of all spheres of government

Representatives from the Reverend Chabaku’s family

Community members

Invited guests

Ladies and gentlemen

Molweni, sanibonani, dumelang, goeie more, good morning to you all and thank you for coming to this important event.Todaywe celebrate the life of Rev. Chabaku. For those who do not know, Rev. Chabaku was a prominent struggle veteran and community builder. MamaMotlalepula Chabakuwas a senior member of the community and a well-known activist, mother of the nation and humanitarian. She served underthe Lillian NgoyiExecutive that lead a 20 000 strong march against apartheid era pass laws in what is now known as the 1956 Women’s March. Mama Chabaku served in two South African regional parliaments, in Gautengandin the Free State.

She had an illustrious reputation in the community and around the world. She was known by many for her strength and compassion and her strong sense of community. Her greatest passion in her golden years was the value of nature and the healing powers of natural remedies. She was an urban horticulturalist and she served the people of Soweto, particularly Dlamini, by teachingthe importance of greening and natural remedies. Thus, it is fitting that we name this garden after her.

The project we are launching today was conceptualised by the late rev Chabaku working with my department. Rev Chabaku had green hands and believed in doing everything herself. She grew a variety of vegetables, shrubs and herbs around her yard and had a remedy for almost everything.

Celebrating women is a mandate of our democratic government and we commit to it, for various reasons. Women were senselessly oppressed for agesyet many fought for the liberation of our country. Women have natural leadership qualities and South Africa will benefit from allowing them to spearhead development and to enjoy equality in the workplace.

Today we are launching the Rev. Chabaku food garden project in partnership withthe Rev. Chabaku Foundation. The project is expected to assist more than 50 individuals drawn from the poorest households from areas around Rockville and Dlamini.

GDARD and I are passionate about food gardens because:

  • Such projects raise awareness on agricultural resources available to develop communities.
  • Theyprovide a platform for women to interact with GDARD on projects relevant for their empowerment and the development of their communities.
  • Such projects also create opportunities for women to make business out of agriculture as part of SMME development and aligned to BBBEE objectives.
  • Finally, this project in particular allows GDARD to support women and reduce hunger and poverty.

The food security project that we launch here today showcases and raises awareness on what GDARD does to fight hunger and poverty in Gauteng Province. I hope that this project testifies to my department’s commitment that every Gauteng citizen has access to food.

Today we also remind you that those who want to participate in farming will receive assistance from GDARD because we are committed to working in partnership with the community. GDARD will continue to serve and strive to use its resources effectively and efficiently for maximum impact and sustainable growth.

This food garden, in memory of the sterling work of Rev. Chabaku, is the first step for some of you in becoming entrepreneurs in agriculture and we as GDARD would like to see you forming cooperatives and becoming active participants within agriculture sector. I know some of our young people do not see gardening as a cool activity, but many an agri-businessperson can attest to the satisfying job agriculture can be. Agriculture can be the start of a promising and lucrative business career in agro-processing or exporting, for those who have a head for business and a capacity for hard work.

Together, we can make Gauteng food secure and also further promote its economic growth through agriculture.

Thank you.

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