Growing resilience through agriculture in South Africa

In South Africa, SEED is pioneering ecological and social change in underserved communities. By transforming urban spaces into productive gardens and sustainable enterprises, SEED empowers youth and women with green skills, environmental awareness, and pathways to employment.

Community leaders and young entrepreneurs harvest vegetables at SEED’s Rocklands Urban Abundance Centre in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town.


Creating Opportunities Through Urban Greening
In the townships of Cape Town, high unemployment and limited access to skills training present major barriers to economic mobility. Youth and women in these communities often face cycles of poverty, limited educational support, and food insecurity. SEED addresses these challenges through regenerative urban agriculture and ecological literacy, offering hands-on training that leads to real-world employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Building Resilience Through Sustainable Skills
The effects of climate change and social inequality are deeply felt in Cape Town's marginalized neighbourhoods. Through its Permaculture Starter Packs and Green Economy Incubator, SEED equips participants to build climate-resilient gardens, small businesses, and strong community networks. These programs not only teach ecological principles but also instil leadership, teamwork, and self-reliance among South Africa’s youth and women.

Graduates of SEED’s programs launch their own food-growing microenterprises and lead community composting initiatives.


SEED’s Growth and Impact

Founded in 2003, SEED has developed a powerful model of community resilience through education and enterprise. Its Rocklands Abundance Centre now serves as a hub for learning, innovation, and sustainability in Mitchells Plain. The centre offers accredited training, mentorship, and startup support for participants looking to turn environmental knowledge into livelihood.


Partnering for Lasting Change

Since 2022, SEED has partnered with the Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation to scale its impact across Cape Town. With funding from the foundation, SEED has expanded its incubator program, supporting over 100 youth annually with green jobs training and small business grants. This partnership enables SEED to invest in infrastructure, deliver more extensive mentoring, and offer long-term support to young eco-entrepreneurs.


Together, SEED and the Lemonaid & ChariTea Foundation are planting the seeds of a more equitable, sustainable future in South Africa—one garden, one business, and one young leader at a time.


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