One of the farmers of the Vukuzenzele Farming Project, supported by De Beers' Premier Mine, near Pretoria, South Africa
			The Vukuzenzele Project supported by De Beers' Premier Mine near Pretoria, teaches the local commun ity how to grow and sell vegetables.

Vukuzenzele has been established as a Section 21 company
De Beers´ Premier Mine, a diamond mining operation
The South African Department of Agriculture
Nokeng Tsa Taemane Local Council
Technikon Pretoria

The Vukuzenzele farming project was started four years ago in Refilwe township just outside of Pretoria. Refilwe is one of the poorest townships in Gauteng and unemployment and malnutrition are two serious problems. The Zulul name "Vukuzenzele" means: "Stand up and do it for yourself".

Members of the community were given the opportunity to participate when the project was first launched. Both Technikon Pretoria (a local educational facility) and the Government Department of Agriculture have been involved in training the participants how to grow produce which they can sell to the local community and earn an income from. In turn, for the local community, the project provides a relatively inexpensive source of fresh and nutritional produce.

Vukuzenzele has provided an opportunity for members of an impoverished community to earn a living for themselves and for their families. It has also created jobs as the project develops.

The social impact is equally great as the participants are able to proudly provide for their families and contribute effectively to the development of the local economy. The project also donates food to the destitute and disabled in the community.

The project provides a source for fresh and nutritional food, an important element in a country ravaged by HIV/Aids. People living with the disease may not all have access to the medicine but it has been proven that a healthy and nutritional diet is an important element of their well-being.

The training provided has taught these people not only the skills necessary for growing fresh produce, but also some environmental management practices such as effective soil use, the use of fertilisers and pesticides and the making of natural compost.

The fact that the project has been running for four years and is continuously growing is proof of its success. The project easily meets the growing demand from the local community and can provide a variety of fresh produce. The skills learnt by the farmers now ensure that more than 90% of what they have planted is harvested and used. The project has grown to include poultry farming and a fruit orchard and now even a canning facility for the fruit produced.

While large business can provide the funding, government can provide the necessary infrastructure and educational institutions the training, it is only through the will of the people that a project such as this can be sustained. The same principles can be applied in other parts of the country, Africa and even the world, and there are many organisations launching similar projects.

The project does not claim to be unique, the participants are however. The Vukuzenzele Project has inspired and empowered the participants by providing skills, employment and an income, all vitally important in sustainable development.

Many of the participants have broadened their capacity to such an extent that they dream of owning their own farm and becoming financially self-sufficient.

The Nokeng Tsa Taemane Local Council (previously Refilwe) provided the initial plot of land in the missle of the Refilwe township.

The Department of Agriculture provided training, along with the Technikon Pretoria, and provides ongoing consultation as the project develops.

De Beers´ Premier Mine provided seedlings, fertilisers and tools when the project started, and has now agreed to provide an additional piece of land which will double the size of the farm.