21 November 2023
By: Lebogang Mashala
Absa Bank, in partnership with Urban Harvest, has developed and donated a food garden to Groutville High School in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal, as part of the bank’s Possibilities Unearthed initiative.
According to the bank, the partnership demonstrates its commitment to being a positive influence in the communities it serves by promoting sustainable development and addressing food insecurity.
Through its everyday banking regional manager in KZN, Mandisa Buthelezi, Absa expressed its delight in being able to contribute to Groutville High School and the greater KwaDukuza community. Buthelezi said the company believes access to nutrition is a fundamental need for pupils.
“The garden initiative will create a sustainable platform for learners to have access to food and nutrition, which Absa views as a positive step towards making a tangible difference in society,” she said.
According to Buthelezi, the initiative aims to provide pupils with nutritional benefits while involving them in managing the garden and teaching valuable lessons. “Gardening is an excellent way to show children the importance of growing their own food and to teach them about healthy eating habits,” she said.
“The initiative also promotes physical activity and teaches water-efficient gardening practices and responsible water usage. These are vital skills that are in high demand in South Africa, a country with rising unemployment levels.”
Absa’s Possibilities Unearthed initiative has been creating change since 2021, building vegetable gardens for schools in communities where it sponsors events.
Groutville High principal Simphiwe Gumede expressed his gratitude. “We thank Absa for choosing our school as the 2023 recipient of the sustainable vegetable garden. This garden will assist our children in concentrating and performing better in class, while promoting environmental awareness and healthy living,” he said.
“We will ensure that we nurture the seed that Absa has planted and empower our children with the skills and knowledge of growing their own food. Our grade 10 agricultural sciences learners will be responsible for maintaining the veggie garden.”
Buthelezi said with Possibilities Unearthed, Absa not only plants seeds for cultivation but seeds of hope to inspire the young generation and remind them that they can plant their own nutritious food. “They must know that we support them and will continue providing opportunities that will help them live healthy lifestyles,” she said.
