Appeal for support to nurture 480 fruit trees in Brackenfell community garden

Community activists have started a BackaBuddy campaign to raise funds that will help to maintain 480 fruit trees at the Suikerbossie Park Community Garden in Protea Heights, Brackenfell.

The community garden was established in May 2022 to benefit underprivileged community members by providing them with fresh produce and enabling households to grow their own vegetables.

“The money that we are asking for is mainly for the 480 fruit trees. They include various types of fruit trees, from bananas, apples, pears, oranges, grapes, and also look after the common areas,” said Mandy Leibbrandt, the project manager.

She said the funds will be utilised for activities such as irrigation, pruning, seasonal feeding, and chemical-free pest care.

“Because the garden is on public land, we are not allowed to generate income or hold a project bank account. BackaBuddy makes it possible to raise the funds needed to keep Suikerbossie alive for the next generation,” Ms Leibbrandt said.

“All funds are managed with integrity and used only for the community garden. Books are open for inspection on request.”

There is also an opportunity for businesses to adopt a tree and place a signboard at a cost of
R1 000 per year, and for the business to be advertised on social media.

Volunteers have been looking after this two-hectare community garden with hand tools and sometimes with borrowed resources. The vegetables are also planted and seasonally harvested for the people in need in Brackenfell.

Ward 7 councillor Grant Twigg said: “Residents are driving for a greener, brighter community and I am in full support.”

The range of fruit and other indigenous trees in the community garden was donated by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Green for Life, Trees South Africa, among other organisations.