The garden was established in two phases. Phase one, the preparation of the soil, was completed one morning during the June/July school holidays, when the children of Dunduzela were at home and actively participated in the project. After the work was done, the students, staff and children spent time together playing games, to make this a truly enjoyable morning.

On Mandela Day, 18 July 2012, the students and staff completed phase two of the food garden project, namely planting and watering the seedlings. Our project was concluded when the children came home from school and thanked all the participants with individual messages and song.

Mama Lizzie conveyed her thanks with the inspiring words: “Today you did not only plant a vegetable garden; today you planted life.” Prof Lourie Terblanche of our Department, in his message, expressed the hope that the involvement of our Department with Dunduzela Home would continue in the spirit of Mandela Day.