A small-time gardener who studies to be an engineer and then succeeds in the professional world, becoming a partner in a highly respected partnership, is likely to be applauded and respected.
But if a civil engineer and a director in her company went into subsistence — almost survival gardening — the applause might be muted.
Sibusiso Ndema decided, at the urging of her colleagues, to move from construction to food gardens, though she retains her directorship at East London firm Newground.
It wasn’t that Ndema was an underperforming engineer, but rather her new role was a magnificent opportunity for her and Newground to enter the food survival arena.
My father was a building inspector. He could do everything in the civils field, and in fact built our house in Willowvale himself. I was his informal apprentice, and I loved it
“My father was a building inspector. He could do everything in the civils field, and in fact built our house in Willowvale himself.
“I was his informal apprentice, and I loved it.
“My mother’s profession was teaching, but her passion was gardening.
“I cannot remember the family ever buying a vegetable.
“So for me, focusing on fresh vegetables was not really a quantum leap.
“I studied at St John’s College in Mthatha, and then went on to Walter Sisulu University, doing a diploma in civil engineering and then a certificate in integrated project management.
“I joined Newground as a trainee in 2016.
“My move into food production came when I attended a workshop [on home gardening] in East London.
“It changed my work life because if done properly, home gardens could make SA households food sufficient, eradicating several illnesses in the process.
“Certainly learners should never arrive at school hungry.”
Ndema said home gardens could start at the most basic level; with old tyres filled with soil and planted with spinach or an equally hardy crop.
Her move into gardening came about when Newground got the Eastern Cape rights to a new national programme specialising in gardening, not for recreation, but for a constant supply of fresh, affordable food.
“My fellow directors felt I would be the right person to head up a new division.
“I was thrilled to be given the challenge and attended a course.
“The first section covered the theory of what had to be done to make the project succeed.
“When it came time for the practical aspects, I fetched my children, aged 11 and eight, as they might enjoy it. They were so excited.
“We found an old tyre and planted spinach.
“As it grew, their reactions inspired me.
“I realised that we can help people feed themselves, end hunger and become a nation of part-time gardeners.”
She said Newground’s franchiser was a well-known company, but relatively new in market gardening.
She could not divulge details as the deal was in its final stages.
“However, what I can say is that the first step will be working with school learners and getting the children behind the concept.
“As the project takes off, families will come to realise that the days of spending scarce resources on buying vegetables could be over.”
Returning to the world of engineering study, Ndema said: “If I can give advice to matriculants embarking on their final year, and are planning tertiary engineering study, it is to never, ever give up.
I was ready to walk away from engineering but Newground were unbelievably supportive
“I was ready to walk away from engineering but Newground were unbelievably supportive.
“When things got too stressful, they encouraged me to keep going and gave me space.”
For SA’s starving masses, the gardens could not have come at a better time.
A study commissioned by Unicef estimates that if immediate action is not taken to combat nutrient deficiencies, there will be a 15% rise in the number of children needing critical nutrition services.
Ndema said in SA, along with jobs, food security was the country’s most urgent need, “and I am proud to be playing an active, albeit small role, in the solution”.
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