Bryanston Rovers Build Vegetable Garden
Food security remains a major challenge in South Africa, with many people going to bed hungry. Churches play an important role by running soup kitchens, but declining donations threaten their ability to operate. A sustainable, long-term solution is needed—one that, with the right attention and support, can help soup kitchens continue serving their communities despite limited funding.
The project required the building of a food garden to support the All Saints church in Fourways, Johannesburg. The Rovers ended up clearing and preparing a 3x6m area and then used electrical conduit and wood to prepare a structure to carry the shade cloth to protect the vegetables from the harsh sun and heavy hail that Johannesburg sometimes experiences. The team mixed in compost into the soil and loosened it to be ready for planting.
Through this project I learned how to improvise effectively when faced with material shortages and unexpected challenges. I also gained a realistic understanding of how much time and planning it takes to construct a functional grow tunnel from start to finish. In addition, the project reinforced several engineering principles I learned at university, giving me practical, hands-on experience in applying them to a real-world solution.
