How Idas Valley Primary is cultivating community spirit through gardening

Idas Valley Primary's community gardening project is blooming thanks to support from local residents, businesses, and the municipality. 

It has been a year since the Stellenbosch primary school received its first donation of steel planters from a Somerset West business. This was followed by donations of compost and seedlings from the Stellenbosch Municipality. 

Idas Valley community activist Maghmoed Kara, a former student of the primary school, has been instrumental in rallying community support for the garden

'It is my passion to plough back into my old primary school," he said.

Mr Kara said the community garden is supplementing the school's feeding programme with fresh vegetables and herbs, including onions, beetroot, spinach, danya (dill), celery, and parsley.

Zachary Snyders, deputy-principal of Idas Valley Primary, said the school plans to involve Grade 4 to 7 pupils in the garden next term to teach them gardening skills.

Anyone who would like to get involved in the school's gardening project or donate more planters, compost, and seedlings can contact Mr Snyders on 021 886 4795.