Annual Thusong Service Centre Week

On Monday, 18 September 2023, the Department of Local Government in collaboration with Government Communication Information System (GCIS) and Breede Valley Municipality kick started the celebration of the Thusong Annual Week commemorative event.

The build-up ceremony was held and implemented in Breede Valley Municipality. Community members and various stakeholders gathered at Unobuntu Thusong Centre in Zwelethemba township through a food security dialogue with focus on the promotion of backyards gardens, sustainability, and integration into the local economy.

The dialogues were led by Prof Julian May from the University of the Western Cape through their study conducted within the Breede Valley Municipality, Grow Great through their prevention of stunting and poor early childhood development through nutrition program (food gardening), the Department of Agriculture on food gardening process, the support and sustainability and Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) Community members, small farmers and back yard garden owners attended the event in big numbers and actively participated in the discussions.

The platform provided them with an opportunity to interact with various stakeholders and had a chance to ask questions of clarity. The efforts were aimed at listening to the challenges faced with community and encourage them to start with the backyard food gardens.