UP’s Moja Gabedi space has become a place of “meaningful engagement”. Site managers Innocent Chauke and Pontsho Masele tell us more.

It’s hard to believe that what is now a green haven nestled in the hustle and bustle of Hatfield was an eyesore, buried under 3 000 tons of garbage just four years ago. Such is the story of the Moja Gabedi Project on stand 384 Festival Street, Hatfield.

For decades, the site was used for illegal dumping and attracted criminal elements that made the area unsafe for both students and community members. Now, however, thanks to the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Unit for Community Engagement, Moja Gabedi is a space where the local community can harvest fresh, organic produce; where students carry out community engagement activities and conduct research; and where citizens can simply enjoy nature safely.

“Moja Gabedi is an innovative space for transdisciplinary community engagement and research,” explains site manager Innocent Chauke, adding that an increasing number of students are using the space for their curricular community engagement initiatives and for studying.

“For example, students pursuing degrees in agriculture conduct their research on food production at the garden, while some occupational therapy students conduct life-changing sessions with homeless people from the local community and beyond, enabling them to realise their full potential. The garden also provides a healing space for visitors.”

Chauke, who started working at Moja Gabedi just as the site’s rejuvenation started in 2020, said he has witnessed how its regeneration transforms people’s lives for the better.

“The production of 100% organic vegetables and fruit for the community is another notable achievement,” he says.

Assistant site manager Pontsho Masele echoes his sentiments.

“Students should continue conducting community engagement projects, doing their research and studying on the site. The community also has access to fresh produce from the garden and can participate in existing the projects.

“The Hatfield precinct has become a cleaner and safer place because of the garden. We’ve seen a notable decrease in criminal activities that previously plagued the area. The homeless individuals who used to occupy the site have been relocated to a nearby shelter called Reliable House.”

Masele would like UP and surrounding local communities to know that Moja Gabedi provides a healing space where individuals can enjoy the natural surroundings, where plants like lavender and rosemary ginger provide sweet-smelling aromas in the therapeutic garden.

“We also pride ourselves on the availability of an outstanding stage for performance arts, which is used by both the University and the community.”

In addition to these remarkable accomplishments, there is much more that the Moja Gabedi team plans to do.

“We plan to raise awareness about the site so that many curricular community engagement projects can be implemented here,” Masele adds. “We want to provide communities with opportunities to host events such as educational tours, workshops, photoshoots, marketplaces, product promotions and exercise classes.”

“Our vision for Moja Gabedi is for it to become a model for the regeneration of ruined spaces in the local surrounding communities and beyond,” Chauke adds. “It is through collaborative community engagement initiatives that the University and community can transform other degenerative spaces and make them places of meaningful engagement.”