Abalimi Bezekhaya Cape Town Community Gardens
Cape Town, South Africa · Operator: Abalimi Bezekhaya
Overview
Abalimi Bezekhaya (established 1982 during Apartheid) assists thousands to set up and maintain home and community gardens on tiny city land fragments. Harvest of Hope social business sells produce to Cape Town residents.
Citizen participation
Thousands of individuals and groups set up and maintain community gardens. Focus on women and marginalized groups.
Operating model
Social enterprise model. Harvest of Hope and similar social businesses sell produce to residents.
Impact
Addresses land tenure security challenges. Provides food security and community benefits for women and marginalized groups. Generates local economic development.
Crops
- vegetables
- fruits
Scale
Thousands of home and community gardens across Cape Town
In the media(1)
Web articles and features that cover this case.
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