Community Gardens and Micro-Farming: Cultivating Growth and Opportunities on the KZN South Coast
Durban – Beyond fostering food security and alleviating poverty, micro-farming ventures offer substantial investment opportunities in the burgeoning rural sector.
South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) has showcased several pivotal projects along the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) South Coast, aligning with the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s vision for sustainable growth by 2030.
“Innovative community garden projects and local markets are cultivating vital connections between tourism, agriculture, and community development on the KZN South Coast,” remarked Dr. Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of SCTIE.
“These initiatives empower small-scale and subsistence farmers, bolster food security, and create economic opportunities at the grassroots level.”
“Through strategic alliances with tourism operators and local organizations, these gardening projects underscore our commitment to inclusive, sustainable development that elevates communities while enhancing the region’s appeal for investments in agri-tourism and eco-tourism.”
Community Initiatives Witnessing Growth on the KZN South Coast
1. Made for More Community Gardens (Amahlongwa)
Contact: Anele Zama on 073 164 9534 | anele@madeforemore.org.za
Website: www.madeformore.org.za
In 2020, the pandemic-induced school closures interrupted the Made for More sports programme, leading the non-profit to initiate home visits.
Utilizing sports to empower individuals with disabilities, many beneficiaries spanning from Umzinto to Durban were in urgent need.
“We quickly recognized that food was the more critical issue, as numerous children relied on school nutrition programmes for their meals,” explained Anele Zama, General Manager of Made for More.
“We sought corporate assistance for food parcel donations, which we delivered to homes, but we acknowledged that this was not a sustainable solution.”
The team coordinated seedling donations, and Zama, a community farmer herself, guided families—many of whom are caregivers to children with disabilities—to cultivate their own vegetables.
Made for More also maintains a flourishing vegetable garden at its Amahlongwa headquarters.
The farming initiative has prospered, enabling families to support themselves and sell excess to the NPO, which either re-sold or distributed it.
Ultimately, many families achieved self-reliance, supplying local markets and enjoying stable income and food security.
“We have limited space but are currently seeking investors for an additional greenhouse at our headquarters due to the increased demand for fresh, organic vegetables,” Zama stated.
“We also continue to provide farming instruction here and can supply water for those growing their own vegetables.”
2. Siyavuna Abalimi Development Centre (Ramsgate)
Contact: Oxolo Langa on 039 312 0543 | 072 249 5453 | oxolo@siyavuna.org.za
Website: www.siyavuna.org.za
Established in 2008 and registered as a non-profit in 2011, Siyavuna (meaning “harvest” in Zulu) Abalimi serves nine communities in Ray Nkonyeni and Umdoni municipalities, focusing on training smallholder farmers to cultivate chemical-free vegetables.
This includes on-site mentorship, monthly meetings of the Siyavuna Farmer Network, and linking farmers to sustainable markets.
With partner support, Siyavuna has enhanced its focus on development, research, and adapting lessons learned from the field, while also pursuing sustainable agri-ventures and expanding value chains.
“We are eager to explore the potential for coffee-growing initiatives, including the necessary requirements and related training opportunities,” shared Oxolo Langa, Executive Director of Siyavuna Abalimi Development Centre.
“We encourage local businesses and KZN South Coast communities to support our dried vegetable initiative, featuring products like beetroot, leek, and paprika powders.”
“These products prolong the shelf life of vegetables while offering significant health benefits, all without preservatives.”
3. Secret Sithela (Munster)
Contact: Jeanne-Louise Kinsey on 083 430 1258 or info@secretsithela.com
Website: www.secretsithela.com
Owner Jeanne-Louise Kinsey has been cultivating the gardens of the 30-acre Secret Sithela estate since 2016.
Visitors can explore the extensive organic herb and vegetable garden, along with a thriving food forest that was developed during the lockdown.
Indigenous areas feature traditional medicinal plants and a ‘rewilded’ section that supports insect habitats.
The estate includes an 18-acre indigenous forest, also a conservation area, with paths for visitors to enjoy.
Secret Sithela offers four self-catering guest units, enabling guests to order fresh, organic salad packs from the garden.
Secret Sithela hosts natural farming retreats like the ‘Earth Harmony Retreat’ and the annual ‘Farming Organic Food Festival’.
“We have also assisted in establishing food gardens in rural areas such as KwaNzimakwe and KwaMoto Ayingeni,” said Kinsey.
“We are passionate about providing hands-on experience in sustainable food gardening and offer a four-day ‘Natural Farming Course’ introducing permaculture, inspired by expert John Nzira.”
Investment opportunities extend to their community garden upliftment projects, helping companies achieve BEE compliance while supplying organic crops to markets.
4. Nemvelo Farm (Izotsha)
Contact: Clinten Peters on 084 727 6339 | farm@nemvelo.co.za
This farm adopts sustainable practices that work in harmony with nature.
Farmers here have established a natural cycle that restores healthy soil and generates organic crops for public sale.
Nemvelo Farm supplies organic vegetables to The Waffle House restaurant.
Unlock More Growth in the KZN South Coast!
The KZN South Coast is positioning itself as a premier opportunity for investors across diverse sectors.
There are agriculture value-add opportunities that enhance local production and export potential, alongside robust manufacturing operations in areas like agri-processing, textile production, and building materials, all underpinned by solid infrastructure.
This region also harbors untapped potential in mining and beneficiation, while the maritime and the oceans economy provide avenues for tourism, boat-building, and coastal logistics.
The logistics sector is well-positioned for investment, with Margate Airport presenting potential for storage, cargo handling, and warehousing solutions.
The region’s inclusion in the Eastern Seaboard Development bolsters the investment proposition even further.
At its core lies the Port Shepstone commercial and business hub, transforming the KZN South Coast into a vibrant economic ecosystem alongside its tourism appeal.
Eco-conscious investors will find a welcoming environment in renewable energy and the green economy, with ample solar and wind potential aligning with sustainability goals.
The hinterland tourism sector, anchored by attractions like KwaXolo Caves Adventures and Umzumbe River Trails, is broadening to embrace more cultural and nature-centered experiences.
The property sector is flourishing, featuring quality developments such as Renishaw Coastal Precinct, Serenity Hills, and Umdoni Point Coastal Lifestyle Village, which have entered into a landmark MoU with SCTIE.
Other notable projects include Bahari Bay, Injabulo Lifestyle Estate, and Ekubo Coastal Estate.
Get in Touch
Discover more by downloading the Explore KZN South Coast app;
visiting the KZN South Coast website;
following South Coast Tourism on Facebook;
South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube;
@infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and
South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn.
Click here to access previous SCTIE press releases. See why KZN South Coast is a premier tourism destination here.
For more details on these and additional investment opportunities, contact SCTIE, your one-stop shop for investment in the KZN South Coast. Reach out to SCTIE at 039 682 7944, email oss@sctie.co.za, or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.
To purchase goods or access services from these and other Buy Local businesses, browse the online directory on the SCTIE website. For orders from Buy Local members or to join the campaign, visit the Buy Local section at www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za or click here for a membership form.
Follow the hashtags #unlockmore #unlockmoregrowth
