Exciting news for two remote farming communities near Phalaborwa!

Limpopo, South Africa (07 April 2026) – The African Conservation Trust (ACT) has helped install a cold room and solar power system at Gingirikani and Rixaka cooperatives in Phalakubeni village. This is a game-changer for local food growers to keep veggies fresh, reduce waste, and open doors to bigger markets.

Before the new cold room, farmers had to sell their vegetables on the very same day they picked them, because in the scorching summer heat, produce spoiled within hours. Now, they can harvest over several days and keep everything fresh until they have enough to make a big trip to market.

“We took our harvest to the market three times a week, and now we store it until we get enough produce. We don’t have waste or rotten stuff, and it’s improved our daily life.” says Vincent Mabunda, Coordinator at Gingirikani Cooperative.

At Gingirikani cooperative, a large insulated cold room was fitted inside a 6-metre shipping container, powered by a 6kW solar system. At Rixaka cooperative, a solar-powered borehole pump and drip irrigation system were installed. Together, the two cooperatives now farm five hectares of land with a full crop plan, growing seasonal veggies in large quantities.

The cooperatives are located near the Kruger National Park, quite far from big city markets. To bridge this gap, a refrigerated vehicle is being provided to transport crops, allowing farmers from both cooperatives to fill any weekly vegetable order and sell their fresh produce all the way to Johannesburg!

Making this happen took a team effort from several organisations, including ACT, Kruger to Canyons Non-Profit Company (K2C), and The African Stove Company (TASC), with financial support from K2C and TASC, enabling the installations.

Growing food in this region is not an easy task; farmers overcome many obstacles.

“Farmers face multiple food production challenges. Outward migration sees skilled workers leave for urban areas; many residents experience sustained unemployment, causing personal food insecurity; and small-scale farmers contend with drought, land degradation, and inadequate infrastructure.” says Carl Grossmann, Chairman of ACT.

On top of these hurdles, elephants from the nearby Kruger sometimes raid the gardens! Elephants Alive has stepped in with creative solutions like beehives to deter the ellies, along with chilli-based repellants, solar flashing lights, and metal strip fences. Watch towers have also been built at Gingirikani, which double as storerooms and honey harvesting stations.

More than 40 community volunteers work in the gardens and receive a stipend through the Social Employment Fund (SEF). Research shows that each SEF participant supports about six more people in their immediate family, meaning the ripple effect is major.

“Our families are thriving because more than 40 people volunteer in the gardens and receive a SEF stipend.” says Vincent.

Produce from the gardens is used in three impactful ways. The farmers eat it themselves, sell it to boost their income, or donate the surplus to vulnerable community members.

Sources: Project Africa.

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

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Growing their own food is a labour of love that has defined the very purpose of farming couple, Kelly and Bruce. The decision to trade their roles in the corporate world for the open soil wasn’t just a career change – it was a mission to regenerate the world.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (25 March 2025) – Growing your own food takes a level of dedication that deserves respect, and for Kelly and Bruce, it’s a way of life that seems to come naturally.

Bruce’s journey began in childhood with herbs, succulents, and bonsais, while Kelly’s spark was ignited at a Greenpop festival in Zambia. When their paths finally crossed, they realised early on that they shared a vision: a life of growing food and experimenting with low-tech, affordable off-grid systems.

“We had both left jobs that didn’t suit us. Bruce left a leading energy company, and I left a life behind an office desk. We were searching for a different path. We decided to travel in our van and trade hard work for knowledge and experience on homesteads and food gardens around South Africa,” Kelly tells us.

They managed to complete their Permaculture Design courses during their travels and together cultivated a huge amount of hope for a better world.

“After our travels, we designed and implemented various food gardens, volunteered on community projects and managed a few farms. We’ve also since completed numerous courses on Regenerative Agriculture and soil health and gained experience with animals.”

The couple grow interesting versions of common foods by selecting heirloom varieties, which are often very colourful. These include rainbow corn, purple broccoli and black tomatoes!

“As a society, we’ve lost so much of the beauty of food in the industrial system and much of the nutrition as well. Heirloom and heritage plants and animals can bring that back!”

Known as “The Regenerative Pear” on their shared social media platforms, Kelly and Bruce share their passion and extensive knowledge of regenerative design with their online audience and even earned a feature on Humans Who Grow Food recently.

In a system where everything costs money, for this pair, planting a seed, harvesting food and then saving the seed to grow again feels radical and hopeful.

They recently moved from Knysna to Lions River in KwaZulu-Natal, to continue their farming journey on the homeland they had missed dearly.

“We missed KZN and had been dreaming of moving to the Midlands for a while, so when our farm management contract ended, we decided to take the leap with sheep, ducks and chickens in tow!

“We are starting from the ground up on a small bit of rental land in the KZN Midlands, and we aim to build ourselves up here until we can (hopefully) get to the point of purchasing land and building a big regenerative farm to produce great food from, as well as to teach and run community projects from,” Kelly shares.

Currently, they sell rare breed chicken hatching eggs and plan to add sheep milk and cheese, flowers, as well as heirloom vegetables and greens. Bruce and Kelly also look forward to designing and consulting on regenerative systems, like grazing plans and food forests, for other people in the future.

Farming is this family’s way of life! The ultimate dream is to buy, design and create a farm that supplies great, poison-free food quality food to the local market, regenerates soil and ecosystems while providing up-skilling and educational opportunities to those that would not usually receive them.

“We believe that the solution to resilience is many small, diverse farms. And we’ve learnt through experience that people absorb teachings much more readily when they can see the working system in front of them, and not just on paper.

“We’ll be first-generation farmers. This dream feels so out of reach right now, but we hope to be surprised in the coming years.”

 

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Sources: Kelly Steenhuisen

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

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A collective effort of volunteers, leadership, and staff coming together to cultivate a garden that symbolises a community at the Midrand SPCA.

Midrand, South Africa (01 December 2025) – At the Midrand SPCA, the focus is usually on the animals, but behind the scenes, something nurturing has been growing, and that is the Veggie Garden Project. Officially launched on 18 July 2025, this initiative has quickly become a source of fresh produce and a peaceful retreat where staff can step away from the demands of their daily work and recharge.

Animal welfare is rewarding, but it comes with emotional and physical challenges. The garden provides staff with a chance to reconnect with nature, reduce stress, and find a sense of calm amid a busy workday. The act of tending to plants gives a grounding effect, offering a simple yet meaningful way to support mental well-being.

The project owes its early success to the generosity and dedication of volunteers, including Yas and Tristan, who helped lay the foundation for the garden. Their contributions have planted hope, care, and nourishment for the entire team. Leadership has also played a key role, General Manager Pam and her team continue to nurture the garden, ensuring it flourishes and remains a space for quiet reflection or a fresh harvest whenever needed.

Since its inception, the garden has grown with the staff, who have added their own touches to make it truly their own. Today, it stands as a vibrant symbol of collaboration and the simple joys that come from cultivating something together.

As the project continues to thrive, the Midrand SPCA looks forward to a 2026 filled with growth, gratitude, and green spaces that benefit both staff and the wider community.

Sources: Midrand SPCA 

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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The need in South Africa is great. Hunger is at its core. That is why the Mustadafin Foundation isn’t just handing out food; it is handing over tools, knowledge, and hope to ensure Khayelitsha households move from vulnerability to independence.

Khayelitsha, South Africa (20 October 2025) – In the lively community of Khayelitsha, where challenges exist but opportunities are endless, people are working with their hands and with the support from the Mustadafin Foundation to grow and put food on the table.

Through the Foundation’s gardening programme, participants are empowered with the knowledge and tools to grow their own food, giving them the power to overcome the global issue of hunger and food insecurity.

In South Africa, close to 4 million households experience moderate to severe food insecurity, with limited or uncertain access to sufficient, nutritious food to live active, healthy lives.

Mustadafin Foundation is responding to this need not only through food relief but by equipping communities with sustainable solutions. At the community garden in Khayelitsha, residents and team members work side by side to cultivate potted seedlings and prepare garden beds.

This hands-on session reflects the organisation’s commitment to empowering communities with practical gardening skills, enabling them to grow fresh produce, strengthen food resilience, and build sustainable livelihoods.

“These gardens help reduce dependency on external food sources while promoting healthier lifestyles and community resilience,” shares Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, director of Mustadafin Foundation.

Johnstone-Cassiem adds that the initiative is about more than just food.

“It is about building dignity, confidence and long-term independence. Our aim is not just to feed people, but to equip them with the ability to feed themselves.” 

As seeds are planted and gardens grow, so does a sense of hope and possibility.

On World Food Day, observed each year on 16 October, the Mustadafin Foundation affirmed that it stands committed to building a future where access to nutritious food is a reality for all.

For more information about Mustadafin and the work that they are doing, or if you would like to get involved. Please call 021 633 0010 or visit www.mustadafin.org.za

Sources: Supplied

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From losing his job during the pandemic to running a thriving organic plot, Daniel is inspiring his community and the next generation of farmers.

Knysna, South Africa (21 September 2025)- South African farmer Daniel Hetjies from Rheenendal, Knysna, has been featured on Humans Who Grow Food, a global storytelling platform that celebrates home gardeners, small-scale farmers, and community growers across more than 100 countries. The project highlights how people from all walks of life are building sustainable futures by growing their own food.

Daniel’s journey into farming began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he lost his job and income. At that point, the owner of Homtini Farm offered unused plots of land to locals, and Daniel seized the opportunity. What started as a means to feed his family quickly grew into a sustainable business.

“I am a small-scale, hard-working farmer who has a vegetable plot as part of the Lucky Star Growers’ Project and Umthombo Trust. I grow organic vegetables and herbs to feed my family and to sell locally through my self-made WhatsApp group and delivery service.”

Today, Daniel manages a 70m x 20m plot where he produces a wide variety of crops, including beetroot, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, leeks, peppers, butternut, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, celery, garlic, and several herbs. His focus is on nurturing the soil through compost, manure, aerated compost tea, and fermented comfrey tea.

The farmers in his community work together by saving and sharing seeds, and sometimes sourcing from their local agricultural co-op. But challenges remain, particularly from wildlife.

“My biggest hurdle is baboons. A big troop regularly moves through the area and ransacks our gardens. We have tried numerous non-lethal methods, but it is a constant struggle.”

Despite these obstacles, Daniel describes his journey as rewarding. Farming has not only provided income but also strengthened family bonds. His son, Calvin, now works alongside him in the garden.

“Watching him grow and learn has been a big reward.”

Beyond his own household, Daniel is passing his knowledge on to others. He teaches local youth about the benefits of growing food and often encourages neighbours to start gardens of their own.

“It can be very profitable to grow food. Farming is a worthwhile pursuit for young and old alike.”

 

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A post shared by Humans Who Grow Food (@humanswhogrowfood)

Sources: Humans Who Grow Food

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Growing something good, from the roots up! Micro-farming projects are creating real change in local communities in KZN.

KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, South Africa (07 August 2025) – Across the KZN South Coast, something good is growing. Community gardens and micro-farming projects are helping people feed their families, earn a living, and reconnect with the land.

These grassroots efforts are doing the slow, steady work of building food security and opportunity from the ground up. At the helm of it are everyday people who are choosing to grow hope and change.

“Projects are empowering small-scale and subsistence farmers, enhancing food security, and generating economic opportunities at a grassroots level,” explains Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE).

One shining example is Made for More Community Gardens in Amahlongwa.

In 2020, lockdown brought the Made for More sports programme to a halt. The organisation, which uses sport to empower people with disabilities, began home visits instead. What they found was a growing crisis. Many of the children they supported had lost access to school nutrition programmes and were going hungry.

“We realised the bigger need at the time was food,” says General Manager Anele Zama. “We approached corporates for food parcel donations which we delivered to homes, but knew this wasn’t a long-term solution.”

So they shifted gears. With donated seedlings and Zama’s own guidance as a community farmer, families began growing their own food. The organisation’s headquarters in Amahlongwa now has an established veggie garden, too. Families who learned to farm began selling surplus produce to the NPO, which helped sell or distribute it. In time, many became self-sustaining.

“We have limited space but are looking for investors in another greenhouse at our headquarters as there is a growing demand for fresh, organic vegetables,” says Zama. “We also continue to instruct people in farming here and can provide water for those growing their own vegetables.”

Another project worth punting is Siyavuna Abalimi Development Centre in Ramsgate.

Serving nine communities in Ray Nkonyeni and Umdoni, Siyavuna (which means “harvest” in Zulu) has been training smallholder farmers to grow chemical-free vegetables since 2008. Their support includes weekly, in-field mentorship, monthly Siyavuna Farmer Network meetings, and linking farmers to sustainable markets.

They’ve also expanded into value-adding products like dried vegetable powders, including beetroot, leek, and paprika, which offer extended shelf life and nutritional benefits without preservatives.

“We invite our local businesses and KZN South Coast communities to support our dried vegetable initiative,” says Executive Director Oxolo Langa. “These products not only extend the shelf life of vegetables but also offer remarkable health benefits, all without any added preservatives.”

Siyavuna is also exploring coffee-growing potential and other sustainable agri-ventures to build local economies.

Over in Munster, Secret Sithela is growing a herb and vegetable garden, medicinal plants, and an indigenous forest, as well as a ‘rewilded’ section that creates habitat for insects.

Owner Jeanne-Louise Kinsey has been nurturing the gardens at Secret Sithela for almost a decade since 2016. The 30-acre estate is home to an expansive organic herb and vegetable garden, a food forest that began during lockdown, and sections planted with medicinal plants. There’s also a ‘rewilded’ area for pollinators and a protected 18-acre indigenous forest with walking trails.

Secret Sithela hosts guests in four self-catering units, offers natural farming retreats like the annual ‘Farming Organic Food Festival,’ for those who want to grow their green thumbs.

“We have also helped create food gardens in rural areas such as KwaNzimakwe and KwaMoto Ayingeni,” says Kinsey. “We love offering hands-on experience of sustainable food gardening and offer a four-day ‘Natural Farming Course’ which is an introduction to permaculture based on the work of Permaculture expert John Nzira.”

The good examples don’t stop coming. Nemvelo Farm in Izotsha is another initiative worth shining the light on.

At Nemvelo Farm, it’s all about working with nature. The team has created a closed-loop system that nurtures soil health and yields chemical-free vegetables sold to the public. Their fresh produce is also on offer at The Waffle House restaurant.

Across these projects, we love that small-scale farmers, community growers, and conscious businesses are showing what’s possible when you plant a seed. Beyond the opportunity lies something even more meaningful. People are working together to build sustainability, feed their neighbours, and plant a better future.

Sources: Supplied

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Nothando Mokone shares how farming is about more than food. It’s about family, values, and conscious living.

Pretoria, South Africa (29 July 2025) – What began as a way to put meals on the table during a difficult time has grown into a deeply fulfilling journey for Nothando Mokone, a brand and marketing professional whose hands are now just as comfortable in the soil as they are in the office.

Farming started as a practical decision.

“It was just a desire to have an alternative to feed my family,” she recalls. “With one seed, with one egg that you have, and you see it grow. It brought in a lot of satisfaction knowing I was able to provide.”

With her husband as the sole breadwinner during lockdown, the garden became more than a hobby, it became a symbol of resilience for her family.

“It also supplemented the salary of my husband,” she adds. “It was a natural thing. It can be done. It’s possible.”

As a committed vegetarian, Nothando says her connection with food has transformed.

“I’m passionate about the ability to feed from the land, but also the respect that comes with just soil, what goes into it,” she explains. Her love for organic farming shines through. “We use our chicken manure, we go around the neighbourhood getting cow manure, and we just cultivate the soil and make it healthy.”

But it’s the impact on her children that truly lights her up.

“There’s less of eating out and more eating from the house. Everything on the plate comes from the house. If it is a chicken from the coop, they know exactly where it comes from. There is less food wastage and more appreciation.”

The farm has also taught them discipline, like separating peels for composting.

“They know a banana peel can’t just go in the bin. It must go to that bucket,” she laughs. “Because that banana peel is going back to the soil.”

For Nothando, farming has become both therapy and mindfulness.

“The world required us to be quiet during COVID, and I just found my quietness outside,” she reflects. “Now, it’s probably my best form of relaxation.”

What surprised her most was being able to feed her family for a long period of time.

 “I didn’t know I could feed my family for more than six months without going to a vegetable shop,” she says. “That was a huge, huge, huge surprise.”

Sources: GTG Interview 

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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One hundred and eight local gardeners shared 5,895 packets of seeds this season as part of the Barefoot Herbs seed swap.

Johannesburg, South Africa (17 July 2025) – Sharon Costello of Barefoot Herbs has been slowly but incredibly connecting gardeners from across South Africa through a postal seed swap, which has completed its third successful run.

This season has been my third participation with the group of gardeners, so I can vouch for its success personally, having helped sort and pack thousands of seeds for the eager gardening community that took part. Sharon established a WhatsApp group and community forum where eager seed swappers could share the seeds they were looking for, as well as seeds they had to offer. These spaces have gone beyond just seed talk, but are spaces where people connect, share knowledge and inspire fellow gardeners.

Another benefit of this season’s swap was that three charitable beneficiaries were put forward, and thousands more seeds were donated to help inspire gardening, seed saving and food production for communities who need it most.

“When I ran the first seed swap in June 2024, I hoped for 20 participants and there were more than 100. In January, the number nearly doubled, and that’s when I thought we could use this as a platform to help community gardens.

In June 2025, I asked the participants to send in their extra seeds as donations. I am thrilled at the outcome.

Everyone sent in and we were able to help 3 community gardens. No-one should go hungry and, together, we are helping to feed a lot of people. My thanks go to every person who took part and those special ladies who helped sort and pack. Gardeners are awesome people!” – Sharon Costello

 

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Speaking to some of the participants, it is clear that the desire to grow one’s own food, fill the garden with flowers and celebrate indigenous plants is a growing passion in South Africa.

Karen Kriek joined the swap for the first time this season and loved it.

“I am already excited about the next seed swap! Each participant sent 20 or more packs of seeds or some bulbs. I got a parcel back which included quite a few items from my wishlist. It’s a way to share and receive so many fantastic seeds which are sometimes difficult or pricey to get hold of.”

“It truly was a privilege to be a part of this project…part of something greater, spreading the love by packets of seeds, bringing joy to many, and eventually feeding many others with minimal effort.”

Ra’eesah Manack echoes Karen’s sentiments, sharing the joy of her first swap the previous season.

“My first time, I didn’t have much to share since I didn’t have much of a garden. So I sent in 20 tiny packets of coriander seeds from my spice cupboard. The same kind my granny used to grow every year in her garden. She never called it seed saving; it was just second nature to her. Now I realise it was something gentle and wise. A quiet kind of resilience. Sending those seeds felt like honouring her hands in the soil.

When the return seed swap parcel arrived, I was completely enchanted. I received 20 new varieties in return, each one wrapped with care and community. From rainbow tomatoes to flowers I had never even heard of, it felt like opening a box of future stories. Some of them are already growing, peeking through the soil with the softest little leaves.

What surprised me most was how it shifted my perspective. I used to think gardening was something you needed space for, but now I see how a tiny home garden, even if it is all planted in containers, can feed you in more ways than one. Not just food, but calm, curiosity, and connection.”

For each participant, the enchantment of getting a pack of seeds goes beyond just unboxing a mystery bag of gardening delights. It feeds into wanting to be a little more sustainable and having access to varieties of seeds that one might not have access to generally.

Carly Blankevoort added that while self-sufficiency is no walk in the park, having a community makes it easier.

“The seed swap of Sharon’s is a wonderful initiative. The learning between people is also lovely. It may encourage a measure of self-sufficiency amongst people, and of course, food swapping with neighbours is the next step. “

Carly urges those wanting to join to learn about the seeds they share, to avoid any invasive plants from ending up in the swaps. As a gardener, I must agree that the more we know, the more we can share.

Malelala Chai added, saying that while she loves her flowers, getting rare seeds like Aztec Corn is a total delight. She has advice for those who are keen to join (but really, she directs this advice mostly to herself).

“Start collecting and packing as one gets seeds, don’t wait for the last moment”

“When you pack your seeds with ample time on your hands, you can add more info like sowing time, placement, and companion plants. This is my current plan”

Ra’eesah ends to this advice, saying:

“Start where you are, with what you have. Even one herb from your kitchen cupboard can turn into a whole season of beauty. You will be amazed at what grows from something so small, especially when it is shared with love.”

Gardeners are some of the most generous people I have ever met! It fills my heart to be a part of this community, and you can bet I, along with many more, am looking forward to the next seed swap in January 2026. If you are keen to join, you can find out more via the Barefoot Herbs Facebook page.

Sources: GTG Interview

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post 108 Local Gardeners Took Part in Local Seed Swap to Grow More Food appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Meet Indiphile Ayabukwa Mgoloza, a young farmer at Cape Town’s Octopus Garden, growing herbs and vegetables organically while inspiring others to build their own gardens and connect with nature.

Cape Town, South Africa (30 June 2025) – When the Octopus Garden first sprouted on a once-forgotten rooftop at the V&A Waterfront, it was intended to be a two-year Mandela Day project, a living, breathing tribute to sustainability, creativity, and community. But like the adaptable creature it was named for, the garden has grown and evolved far beyond its humble beginnings.

In 2019, landscape architect Ian Dommisse and his collaborators transformed a previously underused patch of lawn into a vibrant urban farm constructed from eco-bricks and reclaimed materials. In its first few years, the Octopus Garden produced over 18,000 kilograms of vegetables for charity, sparked global conversations, and became a powerful symbol of how communities can come together to reimagine urban spaces.

Part of what has made the Octopus Garden so successful is its commitment to nurturing not only plants but also people. That philosophy evolved into Grow SA, a green economy learnership programme launched in 2021 by Dommisse and Henry Mathys, then-head of CSI at the V&A Waterfront. Their programme has supported dozens of entrepreneurs and urban farmers across Cape Town, helping them gain practical skills and build meaningful networks.

One of those changemakers is Indiphile Ayabukwa Mgoloza, a young farmer from East London. Indiphile now tends to the Octopus Garden itself, growing herbs and vegetables organically using a method called companion planting. Working closely with Dommisse as his mentor, Indiphile is not just tending to crops but helping others learn to grow their own food, encouraging healthier lifestyles and greener communities.

“Gardening is something I truly enjoy,” Indiphile shared on social media recently. “There’s something special about the connection you build with nature: it’s calming, beautiful, and can make such a positive difference in people’s lives.”

 

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He grows everything 100% organically, carefully choosing combinations of herbs and vegetables that flourish together, a nod to the way this project, and the broader Grow SA initiative, has always been about cultivating collaboration and resilience.

From a Mandela Day seedling to an ongoing movement for food security and environmental stewardship, the Octopus Garden continues to flourish under the hands of young leaders like Indiphile. And in a world hungry for solutions, hope, and connection, it stands as proof that even the smallest green spaces can grow big dreams.

Sources: Supplied

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In a world where waste is piling up faster than we can blink, Cape Town is flipping the script, one compost bin at a time.

Cape Town, South Africa (26 June 2025) – As part of its ongoing mission to reduce food and organic waste heading to landfills, the City of Cape Town is putting home composting in the hands of everyday residents.

During a recent Mayoral Service Blitz in Kensington and Maitland, 300 composting containers were handed out, along with a bit of know-how and a whole lot of purpose.

More than just a bin, each container represents a quiet revolution in how we treat what we throw away. With over 50,000 composting bins already distributed since 2016, it’s clear Capetonians are leaning into the soil-to-soul cycle, and reaping the benefits.

“Composting is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce the waste we send to landfill,” says Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management. “It’s not just about greener gardens—it’s about lowering emissions and protecting our shared future.”

And he’s right. When organic waste ends up in landfills, it breaks down without oxygen, releasing methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO₂. But composting? It turns kitchen scraps into rich, crumbly fertiliser that feeds your garden, not the climate crisis.

Here’s how to start composting at home:

• Pick a spot: A shaded corner of your garden or a ventilated container on a balcony will do.
• Know your greens and browns: Greens (like fruit peels, veggie scraps, coffee grounds) bring nitrogen. Browns (dry leaves, newspaper, cardboard) bring carbon. Aim for a 1:2 ratio.
• What not to add: Skip meat, dairy, oily foods, and pet waste—they attract pests and slow the process.
• Turn it, feed it, love it: Stir your compost every week or two to let it breathe, and keep it moist but not soggy. Nature does the rest.

Whether you’re growing tomatoes on a balcony or keeping a few herbs alive in a windowsill pot, composting turns your leftovers into something truly life-giving.

The next bin giveaway happens in Sub-council 11 on 15 July 2025. But wherever you live, now’s a great time to join the movement. Because the truth is, our leftovers don’t have to be wasted, they can be the start of something beautiful.

Sources: City of Cape Town

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Turning Scraps into Soil: Cape Town’s Home Composting Drive Gains Ground appeared first on Good Things Guy.