“Greening the Nation”
The department of Horticulture has been involved in several initiatives over the years making a difference both locally and nationally in different greening projects. One of the most important of these has been the Greening the Nation project. The department was tasked by the Education division of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) to initiate and roll out the training component of the “Greening the Nation” program an extended publics works project.

Learners arrived from all 9 provinces to do this course at DUT and various field trips were arranged to show them how to set up and run community nurseries using local examples as a guide. They received instruction in plant identification, conservation, use and culture as well how to set out basic garden and greening layouts for schools and similar projects. Courses were run in 2006 and 2008.

South Africa faces a number of greening challenges and the department is looking to meet these through the process of enthusing as many young people as possible to grow and conserve our indigenous plants.

Locally green – Vegetable planting at Lakeview Children’s home 2011

School of Horticulture (SOH) learners prepared beds and planted vegetable seedlings at the home. This was done together with learners from with the department of Food and Nutrition. Planting took place in 2010 and 2011 with the aim of improving the nutritional status of children at the home. The department is currently investigating various types of affordable low tech systems for increasing food security.