Anso from KZN

Tell us a little about yourself!

Hi, I'm Anso. I grew up on a farm until I was 14, which gave me a love for farm life. However, it wasn't until about 20 years ago that I realized the importance of adopting a more organic and back-to-basics approach to living. This experience sparked my interest in growing my own food, and I started creating vegetable gardens and exploring scratch cooking. Today, I reside in a small town in KwaZulu-Natal, where I continue to nurture my passion for a more sustainable lifestyle.

How did you start doing what you are doing now? 

The current vegetable garden started in 2018 when we moved back to town, focusing on medicinal herbs and organic produce. Initially, I began with a few raised beds and some fruit trees. However, the looting incidents in 2021 served as a wake-up call, highlighting the importance of food security. This realization prompted me to expand my vegetable garden into a thriving food forest, further enhancing our path to more resilience.

What are you most proud of in this process? 

I'm humbled to acknowledge that, despite working full-time, I've been able to create a thriving garden with the help of a part-time gardener who assists me twice a week. Her support has been invaluable, and I'm grateful for her contribution. We're able to supply a significant portion of our own vegetables. It warms my heart to see a meal where every vegetable on the plate comes from our garden. Of course, there are years when certain crops don't do well—like this year's onions—but it's balanced by successes like my green onions and mielie harvest. In fact, I was able to share some of our mielies with others while also "donating" some to the monkeys that frequently raid my garden.

What is the most helpful piece of advice you received when you were just starting out? 

One valuable lesson I've learned is the importance of starting where you are. Although my long-term dream is to have a farm where my family can be more self-sufficient and resilient, including producing our own meat, I realized that we needed to begin with what's feasible in our current urban setting. By focusing on utilizing my available space effectively, I've been able to create a thriving garden that provides a good portion of our produce. This experience has taught me to appreciate the value of starting small and being patient rather than waiting for the "perfect" circumstances to begin.

What advice would you like to give to others who are younger/earlier on their journey? 

My advice to others is to cultivate contentment wherever you are. If a different path lies ahead, trust that the opportunity will arise. In the meantime, focus on acquiring skills and knowledge relevant to your current situation. Learn as much as you can, whether it's gardening, preserving produce (e.g., drying vegetables and fruits, canning), making soap, or fermenting foods. Master the skills you have, even if you're not yet self-sufficient. Having the knowledge and expertise will serve you well, regardless of your circumstances.

Where do you see growing going in South Africa? 

My husband, Leon, is very supportive of my often unconventional ideas, and I will be forever grateful. As someone living in KwaZulu-Natal, I've witnessed firsthand the decline of small-scale vegetable farming in our region. When I arrived here 26 years ago, local farmers and "gogos" were producing a substantial amount of their own food. Unfortunately, there's a noticeable decline in backyard vegetable gardens. My worry is that our already fragile food system will become increasingly vulnerable. It's alarming that people in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly in rural areas, are not more self-sufficient or cultivating larger food gardens. This trend needs to be reversed to ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods for our communities..