The University of Fort Hare’s Faculty of Science and Agriculture continues to play its part in rooting the institution within its surrounding communities. This was evident in its donation of gardening tools to the Msobomvu community, one of the villages in eDikeni, on 5 February 2026.
The donation forms part of a community engagement project led by the Centre for Global Change, titled “School–Home Gardens Model for Advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture and Strengthening Food Security in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality,” which aims to promote sustainable food production and climate-resilient farming practices.
The handover took place at the University Farm in the presence of officials from the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, traditional leaders, the local councillor from Msobomvu, members of the community, and representatives from the provincial Department of Agriculture.
Under the scorching sun at the Fort Hare farm, various gardening materials were unveiled, including wheelbarrows, JoJo tanks and fencing equipment. Mr Mthetheleli Gqopho, Ward 12 councillor from Msobomvu village, expressed appreciation for what he described as an overwhelming gesture by the university. He noted that the donation responded to requests previously submitted to the Department of Agriculture, with the response ultimately coming through the university.
“This contribution is going to be of great help, especially the water tanks, which will assist us in dealing directly with the water challenges we are facing. We wish this initiative could spread beyond Msobomvu to other villages,” said Gqopho.
Community member Sindiswa Gqokro also welcomed the donation, highlighting its importance in a context of unemployment and limited resources. “This is going to help a lot. Many people are not working and do not have money to buy tools. The donation, especially the water tanks, will help counter the scarcity of water,” she said. She further described the University of Fort Hare as “God-sent”, adding that community gardens help restore dignity and a sense of self-worth.
Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality’s Local Economic Development Manager, Mr Lwazi Ndlazulwana, said the handover represented more than the receipt of tools. “This initiative represents hope, empowerment and a pathway forward, as food security is fundamentally about dignity,” he said. Ndlazulwana also emphasised the importance of the climate-smart approach embedded in the programme, noting that changing weather patterns require agricultural practices that work with nature rather than against it. He said the knowledge and techniques shared through the project would help the municipality adapt while protecting land for future generations.
The Provincial Director of Agriculture, Mr Thembinkosi Boko, highlighted the potential for collaboration between departments, particularly around school gardens. “As part of our food security programmes, we would like to work with the Department of Education on school gardens within the nutrition programme, to support vulnerable learners and ensure that every school has a functional garden,” he said. Boko added that such initiatives also offer practical learning opportunities while ensuring food production at schools.
Dean of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Professor Linda Sibali, said the initiative reflected the university’s responsibility to give back to surrounding communities. “This is about ploughing back and demonstrating that, as a university, we do not exist as an ivory tower. We have a responsibility to make a positive impact in our communities,” she said.
Sibali added that the initiative is multi-pronged, focusing on social, educational and economic upliftment. “Educationally, we are able to transfer current agricultural skills, while also learning from communities through their indigenous knowledge. Socially, it is about showing that communities can access the university. We also need to extend this work to business and ensure continued involvement from the municipality and traditional authorities.”