or donate by Cheque payable to ‘South Africa Community Projects’:
Mail to Dr. E. Vibert
Dept of History
University of Victoria
PO Box 3045
Victoria, Canada V8W 3P4

Cookbook fundraiser

As a fundraiser for Hleketani (‘Thinking’) Community Garden,
Basani Ngobeni and Elizabeth Vibert have produced a colourful little cookbook. If you’d like a copy of ‘Recipes from The Thinking Garden’ ($15 plus postage), send a note to: jopifarm@gmail.com

Funding priorities 2026

Top funding priorities for 2026:

• Solar transition: Electricity costs are extremely high and electricity delivery is unreliable in South Africa. The farmers are working to free themselves from the electrical grid by switching to solar power. Estimated cost for installation and maintenance of solar panels to power water pumps = $3000 min.
• Funds to support ongoing wages of security guard (C$100 per month) = $1200.
• Long-term wish list: a second concrete water storage tank (reservoir) to make drip watering more efficient = $1500.
• MYRIAD THANKS to all the farm’s donors. In the recent past, generous donors have facilitated replacement of a stolen electrical transformer (2024); replacement of water-conserving drip irrigation infrastructure; stipends for new farmers; and small bonuses for long-term farmers.  With refurbished irrigation, the women are able to farm all 6 hectares in rotation, despite the challenges posed by recurring drought and occasional damaging flood rains.