MAKWARELA - An unemployed man of Makwarela Township, near Thohoyandou, took everyone by surprise when he turned a stinking dumping site next to his home into a vegetable garden. Naledzani Mbulaheni (34) can now support his wife and three kids by selling the vegetables to the public.

“People used to dump garbage in front of my home next to Techniven and I decided to do something about it. At first I tried to take the garbage away, but that did not stop people from dumping more waste material. I decided to make a vegetable garden and since then, nobody has been throwing garbage in front of my home.”

Mbulaheni told Mirror that, because he could not afford to hire a tractor, he used his bare hands to plough until he was satisfied that the soil was loose and ready for planting. “I enjoy doing everything with my bare hands because that is the only way to bring food to my family. I couldn’t find a job for myself and I thought the only solution was to create one for myself. I advise other unemployed South Africans like me to do something for themselves because the government cannot provide everyone with a job.”

Mbulaheni further told Mirror that, even though he does not have permission to occupy the small plot from the local Thulamela Municipality, he is happy to use the piece of land because he is assisting the municipality in keeping the area clean.

“I never got any advice from agricultural scientists. I mixed the soil with mupfudze (raw waste matter from cattle) and compost because I could not afford to buy proper manure. I did everything on my own and I am happy that I am contributing to the development of this community by feeding hungry stomachs on a daily basis.”

Patrick Ndou (32), who usually buys vegetables from Mbulahani, told Mirror: “Mbulaheni has set a clear example that it is possible to survive in this competitive world, even when one is unemployed. The man is feeding more local families and he deserves respect for his good work. No one ever thought that an ever-stinking dumping space could be turned into a garden that feeds us all.”