EMPOWERING people to look after themselves for a lifetime seems to be working very well for Mondelez SA.
The company educates Joburg and Port Elizabeth communities on healthy living.
The snacks manufacturer helps setting up aquaponic farms where fish can be grown and gardens where vegetables are planted.
People in the Mzimhlophe area of Soweto can now harvest and eat their own vegetables and fish for free.
Narisha Bechan-Sewkuran, lead of corporate and government affairs for south, central and east Africa at Mondelez, said: “The aquaponic facilities are a needed alternative farming solution, considering how little rainfall South Africa gets these days.
“Aquaponics uses less water which suits Mzansi’s changing climate.”
“The other purpose of the programme is to get people involved in their own independence and not rely on hand outs.
“It is better that communities rely on themselves for food. It is no good when they are constantly at risk by needing to ask others for help.
“Give a person a fish and you feed that person only for a day. Teach a person to fish and you feed that person for a lifetime.”
Inmed Partnerships is also closely involved with the process. They help with day-to-day farm management to make sure the communities benefit from the facilities.
