Bishop Verryn opened the meeting, warmly greeted participants, including Scott from Sulsa Solutions, Manana from WiARM, John Dearden, Anthony Modena, Emma Archer from the University of Pretoria, Dr. Modise, and others.

Scott kicked off the discussion with a news item about the recent replacement of the Minister of Education due to corruption allegations involving higher education and SETA appointments. He expressed concern about the lack of governmental support for agricultural education, noting how universities and SETAs are critical for training in this sector.

This sparked a broader conversation about the need for independent educational initiatives, as government bureaucracies seemed mired in inefficiencies.

Anthony’s call rings out like a farmer’s almanac: “Time to prep for the next crops—don’t let spring sneak up on you!” He urges bait crops to outsmart pests, a practical wisdom that echoes later from Emma and John.

Manana’s story stills us, though—her voice soft but heavy: “Beans near the wetland, full of holes. Something’s eating them from inside.”

Then the tomatoes, “leaves turning white, just when they’re ripening.” The room leans in, offering fixes—marigolds, calendula, nature’s gentle shields. “Send me photos,” John says, ready to dig deeper.

Bishop Verryn enthusiastically supported inviting Lupane University to join future meetings, seeing it as a valuable opportunity for knowledge sharing.

Closer to home, Bonginkosi reported progress on fire breaks, noting minimal fire risk due to earlier rains. Their garden was selling spinach to the community, with cabbage, beetroot, and recently planted potatoes still maturing. The Connectional Women’s Manyano of the Methodist Church planned a visit to assess their food security program, which could lead to further support.

Bonginkosi also expressed interest in reviving their vandalized mushroom production, though funding for seeds remained a challenge.

Mbatha from Eikenhof described their recent fieldwork, including hiring a tractor to prepare a plot. Like Manana, they faced uncertainty about which crops to plant and sought guidance. Bishop Verryn encouraged Mbatha to connect with Manana to share insights.

Ela Gandhi shared a heart-warming update about a Mandela Day event where children learned to mix soil and plant herbs like mint and basil, guided by a visitor from Cape Town. Their compost-making efforts and film club were also proving educational for the Phoenix community.

Ela’s tale from Mandela Day glows like a hearth fire: “Kids, eight years old, mixing soil and compost—planting mint, basil, their eyes wide with wonder.”

Her voice dances with pride. “They learned gardening and life,” she says, and the room feels it—a spark of hope passed hand to hand. John promises video links in the newsletter to share the lesson wider.

The meeting’s end looms, but we don’t drift apart—we plant markers for the road ahead:

As voices fade, the room holds a gentle buzz—like soil settling after rain. From education’s cracks to kids with muddy hands, from pest-riddled beans to dreams of global ties—it’s a story of struggle and stubborn hope. You’re in it, whether you’re here or catching this later. Got a spark to share? Reach us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening, for rooting for us.
Together, we’re growing more than crops—we’re growing tomorrow.

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