On the 25th of July, Buffalo City TVET College and Lovedale TVET College students teamed up and boldly took their future into their own hands. In partnership with the bumb’INGOMSO Psychosocial Support Intervention, they participated in a 3-day Square Meter Garden Workshop, an initiative designed to empower young people with practical skills for food security and sustainability.

This workshop was born out of a real challenge: many students were going to class on an empty stomach due to financial constraints, making it difficult to focus and perform academically. With the guidance of facilitator and farmer, Mr Myeki, the students not only received theoretical knowledge but also rolled up their sleeves and gained hands-on experience in self-sustaining farming techniques. Together, they planted nutritious vegetables including lettuce, spinach, cabbage, onion, and beetroot, small seeds with the promise of big change.

Fast forward to the 12th of September, and their dedication paid off: the students proudly celebrated their first harvest! Beyond just fresh produce, this moment symbolizes resilience, hope, and the power of young people to create solutions to the challenges they face. What started as a small garden has now grown into a living testimony of self-reliance, teamwork, and the importance of sustainable practices. For these students, the garden is more than food it’s a step towards a healthier future, improved well-being, and the confidence that they can shape their own destinies.