In 2009 FTFA implemented a PSP1at Bona-Lesedi Disability School in Diepsloot, Gauteng.  The project intention was to start a Permaculture food garden at the school for the benefit of the children and, indirectly, their families. 

On Friday 26 June 2009 FTFA facilitator, Mr Lawrence Tshuma, conducted a one-day practical Permaculture workshop that was attended by 16 participants – 14 learners  and 2 employees from the Bona-Lesedi Disability School’s sister Preschool.

Availability of space was a challenge – the site is practically congested with school buildings and offices, the tunnel garden (sponsored by a company called Peregrine in 2004), and shade trees. A decision was reached to develop the site behind the container housing to the south of the site and adjacent a busy road into Diepsloot. 

The FTFA facilitator introduced the practical session looking at the slope of the ground, flow of water, buildings and accessibility to the site.  This was followed by bed designing, soil preparation, compost application, mulching and planting.  The beds were designed in such a way that water runoff could be harvested from the roofs of container housing and also incorporating existing fruit trees.  The compost was applied to increase the fertility of the soil for the benefit of vegetables and herbs. The beds were mulched before planting.  The need to maintain high soil fertility and conserve soil moisture by keeping all the beds mulched was highlighted.  When planting the facilitator explained the Permaculture practices of intercropping and companion planting and their importance on soil conditioning, pest management, water management and their (the learners’) nutrition.

 The facilitator used the morning break to gather mulch from where some ladies clean thatching grass.  He also encouraged the centre to collect as much grass as they could and use it for mulching other beds and also for compost making.  

There was a lot of enthusiasm from the extraordinarily energetic learners as they designed and established their Permaculture garden.  The coordinator also pledged his commitment to sustain and develop the garden further. 

FTFA is pleased to be associated with Wesbank in the establishment of this Permaculture food garden and hopes that this will complement the efforts by the school to develop practical skills for the learners and sustain itself through food gardening.