Kwazakele, Port Elizabeth, 31 August 2026

Kwazakele, Port Elizabeth
31 August 2026

On 31 August 2026 AgriVision Foundation returned to Every Nation Kwazakele in Gqeberha and was encouraged from the moment of arrival. Pastor Elija has begun growing his own vegetables at home and is clearly becoming more excited about gardening, even while battling the local monkeys that steal his fruit. At the church the spinach that he and AgriVision Foundation planted out during the previous visit was growing strongly. The church family shared their joy at being able to harvest almost daily to cook nutritious meals for the children at the pre-school, with surplus sometimes going home with the teachers.

Time was spent training Phillip in the proper care of spinach, how to harvest in a way that encourages continuous growth, and the vital importance of mulching the entire bed. The original garden beds had struggled, mainly because heavy seasonal rains caused the vegetables to drown, yet the resilient spinach survived and thrived.

Finding a reliable person to care for the garden had been difficult until two months earlier, when Phillip and his wife moved in next door to the church. Phillip already has green fingers and a flourishing home vegetable garden of his own. He willingly agreed to take responsibility for the church garden going forward. Most of the day was spent working alongside him, refining his skills and planning successive plantings so that harvests can be enjoyed regularly rather than all at once.

Phillip has also begun beautiful flower gardens outside the church gate, bringing colour and life to the entrance. Fresh seed, kindly donated once again by Enza Zaden, was provided for the pre-school and wider community. Volunteer spinach seedlings that had self-seeded from the earlier crop are now ready to be transplanted.

AgriVision Foundation is delighted to see hope restored and a capable local champion emerging. We remain committed to supporting Pastor Elija, Phillip and the Kwazakele family as they grow both food and faith through practical, sustainable agriculture rooted in Christian values.