NCPD drives enablement through aquaponics from Gauteng to the Northern Cape

A Pretoria-based Aquaponics Pilot Project is set to expand its empowerment goals, thanks to a team effort led by the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and funded by the National Lottery Commission (NLC).

The aim of the project, says NCPD National Director, Therina Wentzel-Du Toit, is to afford persons with disabilities multiple opportunities. “They will have the chance to gain skills and produce food to eat and sell in their communities. This will enable them to become more self-sufficient and possibly generate an income. The added benefit is that the community can also get involved, which will lead to a more inclusive scenario when it comes to persons with disabilities and the community,” she explains.

With NLC funding in place, the NCPD had to find the right environment to launch the project. Wentzel-Du Toit explains: “We went to Nelspruit and the surrounding areas, as well as Grahamstown. However, due to resource restraints, neither region could be selected as the first beneficiary.” The NCPD’s next port of call was the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) who recommended the project be rolled out in Gauteng.

Against this background, the NCPD approached and selected the Kungwini Welfare Organization in Pretoria to launch the project. The organization availed their land and staff for the pilot project. “Richard Marconi, a double leg amputee, is managing the project with the assistance of Wouldn’t It Be Cool (WIBC), an incubation and mentorship organization, and the project is growing from strength to strength,” adds Wentzel-Du Toit.

She is happy with the progress and excited about the prospects, adding: “Once the pilot project is operating at full capacity, and all lessons learnt, the objective is to reverse engineer the system to establish what material, resources and money are needed to duplicate the project in other areas.” Areas already identified for a second phase roll-out include the Kopano Protective Workshop in Bloemfontein, as well as Ikageng Protective Workshop in Kimberley.

Wentzel-Du Toit points out that this is only the beginning. “Other areas will benefit from the greater scope of this project, and we are looking for additional funding for this roll-out. We are in negotiation with two other possible stakeholders, but we will need a lot more financial assistance to fulfil the bigger vision of this project.”

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Ernu van der Westhuizen at [email protected].