In the rural Eastern Cape village of kuGatyane, a transformative movement is blossoming amid the challenges of unemployment, food insecurity, and poverty. At the centre of this movement is Bakhusele Mathupha, a former school teacher turned agricultural innovator, whose initiative is cultivating not just food but also hope and unity in his community.

Through his organisation, Phawu Likum AgriPak (PLA), Mathupha has started a food forest – a sustainable agricultural system designed to mimic natural ecosystems.

“Food forests are a means for us to co-exist with the environment. They are abundant, self-sustaining systems that can provide food security, biodiversity, and resilience against climate change,” he explains.

By combining traditional knowledge with regenerative agricultural practices, Mathupha and his team are addressing some of the region’s most pressing issues and empowering families in the local community to reclaim their livelihoods.

From education to agriculture

Mathupha’s journey began in 2019, at a time when he was grappling with the impact of South Africa’s socioeconomic challenges in education. Having worked as a teacher for nearly a decade, he had observed how hunger and poverty affected his students’ ability to learn.

“I saw children coming to school not just for education but also for the meals provided through the feeding schemes. For many of them, it was the only meal they would get all day. That was a wake-up call for me,” he says.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the situation got worse. School closures left thousands of children without access to these vital meals, exposing the fragility of the country’s food system. This deeply personal experience led Mathupha to a life-changing decision: he left his career in teaching to focus on agriculture.

“When I was growing up, my father was in agriculture, and we always had a garden at home. Farming was in my blood, but I knew I wanted to approach it differently. I wanted to create something sustainable, something that could help people over the long term,” he says.

With a small piece of land donated by his parents, Mathupha began experimenting with the principles of permaculture, a system that emphasises working with – rather than against – nature. He planted a mix of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and legumes, creating a layered ecosystem that mimicked a natural forest.

“Our food forest is based on diversity. Each plant serves a purpose, whether it’s providing food, enriching the soil, or attracting beneficial insects,” he explains.

Over time, the food forest grew, both in size and impact. By 2023, PLA had expanded to include eight families, all of whom contribute to and benefit from the harvest. The co-operative approach ensures that knowledge and resources are shared, creating an interconnected and resilient community.

“Farming can be isolating, especially in rural areas where resources are scarce. By working together, we’re able to achieve so much more,” says Mathupha.

Addressing food insecurity

In the Eastern Cape, where poverty levels are among the highest in the country, food insecurity remains a critical issue.

Many households rely on store-bought staples like maize meal and bread, often at the expense of nutritional diversity.

“Our goal is to provide families with access to fresh, healthy food. The food forest produces everything from bananas and avocados to spinach, beans, and medicinal herbs,” says Mathupha.

The impact on local health has been profound, with the families involved reporting lower rates of malnutrition and diet-related illnesses. “We’re not just growing food; we’re growing health,” he adds.

Moreover, the initiative reduces dependency on external aid and volatile food markets.

“When you can grow your own food, you’re not at the mercy of rising prices or supply chain disruptions,” says Mathupha.

Empowerment and sustainability

One of PLA’s most significant achievements is its focus on empowering women and the
youth. In many rural communities, women bear the brunt of food insecurity, often going hungry to ensure their children are fed.

“Women are the backbone of our co-operative; they bring so much knowledge, resilience and dedication to the work we do,” says Mathupha.

Through training sessions and workshops, PLA equips rural women with skills in organic farming, permaculture design, and natural pest management. These skills not only benefit their families but also open up opportunities for them to generate income.

For young people, the food forest serves as a learning space and a safe haven.

“We involve kids from as young as five years old. They learn by watching their parents and grandparents work the land, gaining skills they’ll carry with them for life,” says Mathupha.

At the heart of PLA’s work is a commitment to sustainability. The food forest operates without synthetic fertilisers or pesticides, relying instead on natural composting, crop rotation, and companion planting (where different plants are strategically paired to support each other’s growth, deter pests, and enrich the soil for a balanced ecosystem).

“We use what nature provides. Animal manure becomes compost, rainwater is harvested for irrigation, and every part of each plant is used,” explains Mathupha.

This approach not only reduces PLA’s environmental impact but also builds resilience against climate change.

“The food forest is more than just a farm – it’s a climate solution,” he adds.

While PLA’s current focus is on kuGatyane, Mathupha has ambitious plans to expand the initiative to other villages in the Eastern Cape.

“Our vision is to create a network of food forests, each one managed by local communities,” says Mathupha.

To achieve this, PLA has partnered with organisations like Food & Trees for Africa, which provide funding and technical support. The co-operative is also exploring opportunities to market its produce and value-added products, such as herbal teas and dried fruit.

“By creating economic opportunities, we’re not just addressing food insecurity, we’re also addressing poverty,” he says.

Community collaboration

PLA’s success lies in its collaborative approach. Each family in the co-operative plays an active role, from planting and harvesting to decision-making.

“We’re building a community where everyone has a stake. It’s about creating a sense of ownership and pride in what we’re doing,” explains Mathupha.

This spirit of collaboration extends beyond the food forest. PLA regularly hosts community events, bringing people together to celebrate their achievements and share their stories.

“Food is a powerful connector. When we sit down to share a meal, we’re reminded of what we’re working towards,” he adds.

Significant challenges to overcome

Despite its successes, PLA faces significant challenges. Limited access to water, tools and other resources often hampers its progress.

In addition, the co-operative must navigate bureaucratic hurdles to secure funding and land tenure.

“Every day is a challenge, but we’re not giving up, because the work we’re doing is too important,” says Mathupha.

To overcome these obstacles, PLA is seeking partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private-sector stakeholders.

At the same time, it is exploring innovative solutions, such as rainwater-harvesting systems and solar-powered irrigation.

PLA’s work is inspiring change far beyond kuGatyane. Other communities are taking note, with several expressing interest in starting their own food forests.

“This is about more than just one village; it’s about creating a movement that can transform lives across South Africa,” says Mathupha.

As he reflects on his journey, he is filled with pride and gratitude: “This work has taught me so much about resilience, community, and the power of nature. It’s not just about growing food – it’s about growing hope.”

Seeds of change

For the families of kuGatyane, the food forest represents a brighter future; one in which no child goes hungry, no parent struggles to provide, and no community is left behind.

“Our ultimate goal is to restore dignity to our people. When you have food on your table and a community that supports you, you can achieve anything,” says Mathupha.

“In kuGatyane, the seeds of change have been planted. And as they take root, they promise to grow into a future filled with abundance, unity, and possibility,” he says.

Email Bakhusele Mathupha at [email protected].