MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe Leads Right to Learn Campaign and Strengthens School Gardens in Hofmeyer

Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe visited Hofmeyer in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, within the Chris Hani District Municipality, to lead a Right to Learn campaign aimed at empowering learners and promoting agricultural education. The campaign brought together schools, learners, educators and community members to provide essential resources and practical farming support. During the visit, the MEC handed over both school essentials and agricultural inputs to strengthen learning and community food production. The programme highlighted the connection between education, agriculture and nutrition, showing how school gardens can equip learners with practical skills while contributing to food security. By engaging directly with schools, the campaign encourages both educational development and sustainable agricultural practices in the community.

As part of the initiative, schools with established gardens received agricultural tools and production inputs to expand their vegetable cultivation. Learners are currently growing crops such as Onion, Spinach, Carrot, Cabbage and Beetroot. These vegetables were selected for their adaptability to local conditions and their nutritional value. Teachers and learners work together to plant, maintain and harvest the gardens while learning practical agricultural techniques. The produce grown supports school feeding programmes and provides learners with hands-on experience in food production, farm management and sustainable agriculture practices.

In addition to supporting agricultural education, the MEC distributed essential school supplies to learners. Backpacks, school shoes, dignity packs and toiletries were handed out to ensure that pupils have the tools they need to attend school with confidence and focus. Providing these items helps reduce barriers to education for learners from disadvantaged communities. The combination of educational support and practical agricultural engagement demonstrates a holistic approach to empowering learners. By addressing both academic and nutritional needs, the campaign reinforces the importance of creating supportive environments for young people.

The Right to Learn campaign also emphasizes the value of agriculture in community development. School gardens act as practical demonstration spaces where learners gain knowledge about planting, harvesting, and maintaining crops. Exposure to agriculture at an early age encourages interest in farming, strengthens food security awareness, and teaches responsibility and teamwork. Learners understand the importance of local food production and how it contributes to both personal nutrition and broader community well-being. These gardens serve as a bridge between education and practical life skills, preparing learners for future participation in the agricultural sector.

The visit to Hofmeyer reflects the Eastern Cape government’s commitment to supporting education, agriculture and community development simultaneously. By empowering schools with both resources and agricultural knowledge, the campaign encourages learners to become actively involved in growing their own food while developing essential life skills. The initiative demonstrates how government, schools and communities can collaborate to strengthen education, nutrition and agricultural awareness. Through programmes such as the Right to Learn campaign, learners gain practical skills, access to essential resources and a stronger connection to sustainable food production. This initiative underscores the importance of education and agriculture working together to build resilient, empowered communities.