By Food & Trees For Africa
Adi Mathai (PIC) and Nkanyiso Bhengu ( Khula Nathi) unveil the borehole
The Public Investment Corporation SOC Ltd (PIC), in partnership with Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), launched a major Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative this Arbor Month at Khula Nathi food garden in Durban. The initiative aims to enhance food security and grow subsistence farming by providing sustainable water supply facilities and technical agriculture support in the area.
Two essential boreholes were installed at the eThekwini-based community market gardens. Funded by the PIC and FTFA, the partnership will also expand to develop two additional market gardens and FTFA will plant 600 trees, including fruit, nut and indigenous varieties.
Ensuring strategic and integrated impact
Investing in food and water security, coupled with sustainable greening practices, is critical for long-term community resilience. The installation of boreholes, in particular, addresses a significant barrier to sustainable farming: access to water, a resource that is fundamental to consistent food production, especially in vulnerable areas. The boreholes enable year-round
crop irrigation.
“As a company committed to sustainability, we are proud to support the planting of trees, as well as food security in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The initiative contributes to community greening, food security and biodiversity within local communities. By investing in this project, we are helping to build a greener future and a lasting, positive impact for those who benefit from the environment and agriculture,” said Adi Mathai, Communication Specialist, at PIC.
Adi Mathai (PIC) and Bharathi Tugh (FTFA) plant the first citrus tree
Humble beginnings to remarkable success
The CSI initiative was inaugurated with an orchard planting ceremony and ribbon-cutting at Khula Nathi on 13 September 2024. FTFA’s Bharathi Tugh opened the event by unveiling the borehole, followed by a tree-planting demonstration. A total of 100 trees were planted during the launch.
Nkanyiso Bhengu, from Khula Nathi expressed his gratitude for the sponsorship: “Thank you to PIC and FTFA for bringing a life-giving resource to Inanda. Often we are marginalised, and nobody sees us. This sponsorship recognised the value that we bring, not just to Khula Nathi but the households around us.”
The Khula Nathi Community, comprising several young farmers, engages in integrated farming: growing vegetables, staple crops and poultry with a vision to scale up from subsistence to commercial agriculture. They aim to create jobs for unemployed youth by expanding their garden beyond its current 2 hectares. Through FTFA's permaculture training, Khula Nathi has become a self-sustaining entity, providing fresh produce to around 80 community members and donating surpluses to those in need.
FTFA’s Head of Programmes, Robyn Hills commented the initiative, “Planting trees in the rural communities of KwaZulu-Natal helps restore critical ecosystems while improving food security. These trees will provide fruit, shade, improve soil quality, and offer long-term benefits to the environment and local residents. Coupled with food security support, the initiative helps to grow not only gardens, but the people who work in them.”
Nkanyiso Bhengu gives a tour of his luscious food garden
Looking to the future
The additional infrastructure and resources provided through this multifaceted partnership will continue to boost food production and provide a foundation for continued growth at multiple sites. Alongside Khula Nathi, two other community gardens also benefited from the PIC partnership:
Sthak’Imvelo, led by Mveli Mkhungo, a qualified food technologist, promotes organic agriculture, supplying produce to Greenheart Organics and Greenhouse Organics in Pinetown. Before receiving a borehole, Mveli's garden relied on limited rainwater. Now, with consistent water supply, and targeted agroecological support the garden will significantly expand its impact.
Hopebridge for Vulnerable Communities, a food security initiative launched during the COVID-19 lockdown, also received garden support and trees. The gardens under this project donate food for nearby school-feeding schemes, a food bank for the elderly and child-headed families, as well as income for its members.
Through these efforts, PIC and FTFA are ensuring that sustainable food and water systems support local communities and help build a resilient, green future.
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