The innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation hosted a sod-turning programme in collaboration with Hulamin to officially commence the Hydroponics Tunnel Project at Nyonithwele Secondary School. The programme was recently held at the school and is fully sponsored by Hulamin.

innobiz External Business and Projects officer Mr Duke Ngcobo opened the programme with words of gratitude to the school for opening its doors to this opportunity and for the assistance and dedication to making it a success. The programme was held to mark the area allocated for its implementation of the programme, which is located at the school’s old garden. The garden will now be transformed into modern and hydroponics technology that allows for easier and convenient planting of crops. Ngcobo explained that the Centre and its partners are there to enhance and encourage an already existing culture of farming and crop production.

“As the Centre we want to encourage and teach agricultural entrepreneurship, we want to provide an alternative form of education in agriculture that will expose our young people to new career opportunities in this sector,” he added.

Ngcobo went on to highlight that agriculture is an undermined sector, especially in black communities, where people only see dirt and hard labour and that the Centre and partners want to change that view and make the sector more modern, creative and fashionable for the young people.

This hydroponics tunnel project will not end with the provision of the structure but will extend to Agri trainings for both teachers and learners, excursions, workshops, and other various activities to assist the school manage the tunnels.

The school’s Deputy Principal, Mr Wandile Ndaba shared words of appreciation to the Centre and Hulamin for choosing the school to host this project.

“We would like to send words of gratitude and say that we welcome this project with open arms, and we thank the two organisations for choosing our school, we will ensure that our children get all the benefits that come with this programme. We hope this project will be a success and we are available to assist in any way we can,” said Ndaba.

Zinhle Gwamanda, a representative from Hulamin also expressed words of excitement at the commencement of the project, stating that education is at the forefront of their CSI budget.

“Hulamin is elated to be a part of this project, we will work hard to ensure the success of the project,” she said.

This was in accordance with innobiz Manager, Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo who advised that there will be more programmes for this school and others in the surrounding areas.

Pictured: The attendees at the sod turning for Nyonithwele Hydrophonics Project.

Nontethelelo Mzizi