During the epidemic, this Kraaifontein man increased his wealth by using the government’s R350 social alleviation of hardship award.
In order to provide for his family, 60-year-old Nicky Jafta used his grant to purchase seeds for a vegetable garden. To his amazement, he found that he has a natural talent for gardening.
He can now sell his vegetables to pay for bread because his garden has grown so much.
“We were fortunate to receive our grants when COVID struck,” adds Jafta from Denova. I feel like the grant turned me into a farmer today because I had to learn how to stretch that money.
Jafta claims that he used the funds to enrol in a week-long agricultural course at the Agricultural Training Institute in Elsenburg.
“I got my certificate, but I’m so green that we can hardly keep up with our customers.”
In order to start and grow his garden, he has studied how to create a budget and pay for necessities like water sprayers, seeds and seedlings, fertiliser, and more.
“I also have to thank Marius Mans, who gives me free use of his tractor when I have to till the land to plant new veggies,” Jafta continues. Along with a few fruit trees, I cultivate a variety of vegetables, including potatoes, tomatoes, onions, pumpkins, and chillies. When our finances are tight, I instruct my wife to gather ingredients from the garden and prepare a lekker potjie for our two kids and ourselves.
Beginning at six in the morning and continuing until late in the afternoon, when the sun is not as strong, Jafta works in his garden.
“My garden is really productive; we just harvested 300 pumpkins from our patch, which is a record for us,” he says.
Lynnette, his 60-year-old wife, claims Jafta saved them.
“I am really proud of what he has done here,” Lynnette says. He keeps a careful eye on his garden and truly has magic in his fingers. Many people are going here to get advice on how to establish a garden from him.
The family is having trouble getting transport after their bakkie was stolen in November, which was a sad setback.
Editor’s note: In an effort to help his family during the COVID-19 outbreak, 60-year-old Nicky Jafta used his R350 social aid grant to purchase vegetable garden seedlings. What started out as a way to put food on the table soon developed into something much more. Jafta was shocked to learn that he had a natural gift for gardening, something he had never pursued. A small spot in his backyard quickly became a flourishing vegetable garden.
Description: Nicky Jafta, a 60-year-old from Kraaifontein, used the government’s R350 social relief grant to plant a vegetable garden and discover a natural talent for farming. Today, he supports his family through his thriving garden and shares his knowledge with others in his community, demonstrating that resilience, resourcefulness, and a green thumb can turn hardship into hope.
Editor: Thato Mahlangu
Project manager: Do4SA
