The SCAGA Line

The SCAGA line (Siyazama Community Allotment Garden Association) consists of five community gardens that were established by Abalimi Bezekhaya, as called for by the elders in the community of Makhaza, Khayelitsha. The first garden (SCAGA 1) was established in 1996, while other gardens ( Eden Forest, Khulumtawana, New Sakhe and Philisinanai ) were established over the following 8 years.  SCAGA is sometimes also referred to as the “power line project”, because it is situated under the powerlines where no houses were allowed to be built.

SCAGA before –  (1996)

Farmers started to produce vegetables for own consumption, but there was a surplus which they were not able to find a market for. In response to this Abalimi developed Harvest of Hope (HOH) in 2008 to supply organic veggies through a box scheme to individual clients. Farmers were initially contracted by HOH to grow vegetables.  Initially each farm worked as a group and shared income accordingly, however in the latter years this changed to an allotment style approach where individual gardeners have their own plots and can sell their own vegetables. Abalimi has always supported farmers to self-arrange and decide how they want to run their gardens to encourage independence.

SCAGA after –  (2010)

Over time Abalimi has provided infrastructure such as the hall used for training, meetings and community gatherings. SCAGA is Abalimi’s main ‘laboratory’ for determining methodology and appropriate technology required to establish sustainable organic micro-urban agriculture projects on marginal land.  This is also the home of Abalimi’s Young Farmers Training Centre (YFTC) to teach people how to to grow organic crops for sale and for eating at home, while conserving indigenous flora and promoting alternative farming technologies.

Click here for some updates of how the individual gardens are doing.