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Who We Are
| A Dynamic Collaboration Of People The Siyakhana project is a dynamic collaboration of people from different walks of life. It was initiated by the WITS Health Promotion Unit in the Faculty of Health Sciences, headed by Professor Michael Rudolph, in collaboration with an alliance of inner-city NGO's providing home-based care (HBC) and early childhood development centres (ECDC's). Today, the garden regularly provides these NGO’s and ECDC’s with organic fresh fruits and vegetables.
One of the most critical elements in ensuring the success of the project has been the mobilisation of various organisations, including faculties, schools and departments from the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS), international universities and the public and private sectors. The utilisation of an inter- and multi-disciplinary approach has enabled a variety of WITS university departments and experts to contribute, such as: - The School of Architecture & Planning
- The School of Civil Engineering
- The Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences Unit
Mobilising the Broader Community
Whilst the project has garnered support from the academic, public and private sectors, its sustainability can largely be attributed to the relentless dedication of the broader community. Strategic partners have provided great assistance with fundraising, training and planning, whilst Florian Kroll of Open Synergy assists with ecological design & consultancy, natural building facilitation & project management.
The garden is expertly managed by resident permaculturists and herbalists Mandla Tshabalala and Thabi Mabuza, and a group of men from the surrounding community have been recruited to do the physical gardening and construction work. A number of volunteers have also become involved in the project, contributing their own skills and abilities. |
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