Mhani Gingi was honoured by a second ministerial visit in 2019 when the Honourable Minister of Health of the Western Cape Government, Ms Nomafrench Mbombo, visited the Mhani Gingi Centre of Social Entrepreneurial Excellence on 2 September 2019. Mhani Gingi promotes healthy lifestyles in alignment with the WesternCape on Wellness (WoW!) programme of the Department of Health in the province.
“We introduced the Honourable Minster to the group of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from Uitsig Community and their group leader, Vanessa Baadjies, who maintain food gardens at the Uitsig Community Hall surroundings and at the Uitsig Primary School. Also present were those who garden at Blouvlei School for Learners with Special Needs (LSN) in Retreat, accompanied by their principal, Cordelia Romes,” said Lillian Masebenza, Founding Director of Mhani Gingi.
Tabisa Mahlathi, Mhani Gingi Project Co-ordinator who also manages the Mhani Gingi Social Entrepreneurial Centre of Excellence, demonstrated the correct way of planting vegetable and herb seedlings – in which the Honourable Minister participated. Also showcased was how the Mhani Gingi space is wheelchair-friendly and the Uitsig group are able to work on the vertical gardens while sitting in their wheelchairs.
The planting session was followed by stretching exercises led by Dr Frederick Marais, Deputy Director: Increasing Wellness at the Western Cape Government Department of Health, and his group.
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Captions
The group of gardeners with physical disabilities from Uitsig Community with the Honourable Minister of Health of the Western Cape Government, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo.
The Honourable Minister of Health of the Western Cape Government, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo (in the WoW! t-shirt), on her visit to Mhani Gingi.
The Honourable Minister of Health of the Western Cape Government, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo (in the WoW! t-shirt), views gardening activities at the Mhani Gingi Social Entrepreneurial Centre of Excellence.