Groutville High School learners celebrate as they receive a sustainable food garden from Absa

Leading Pan-Africanbank, Absa, in partnership with Urban Harvest, is proud to announce theprovision of another sustainable garden as part of the bank's PossibilitiesUnearthed initiative. Groutville High School in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal, hasreceived the much-needed garden.

Thepartnership with Urban Harvest showcases Absa's commitment to being a force forgood in communities in which it operates through sustainable development andaddressing the issues of food insecurity in South Africa.

"Weare excited to be in KwaDukuza to make a much-needed contribution to GroutvilleHigh School and the wider KwaDukuza community. Access to nutrition is anon-negotiable for our learners, and this garden will help create sustainableaccess to food and nutrition. This is the type of tangible, positive differencethat Absa seeks to create in society and we are delighted to play our part inensuring that learners have access to quality meals," said Mandisa Buthelezi,Regional Manager of Everyday Banking at Absa, KwaZulu-Natal.

Overand above the obvious nutritional benefits, school learners will be activelyinvolved in managing the garden, and learning valuable lessons. "Gardening isan engaging way to teach children about healthy eating habits and theimportance of growing their own food, all while encouraging physical activity.Children will also learn about water-efficient gardening practices andresponsible water usage, skills that are sorely needed in South Africa.Furthermore, in a country that is suffering skyrocketing unemployment levels,such efforts go a long way," added Buthelezi.

Absa'sPossibilities Unearthed initiative has been bringing change in schools since 2021and has now built vegetable gardens for schools in communities in which itactivates its sponsorships.

MrSimphiwe Gumede, the school principal at Groutville High School, expressed hisexcitement, saying, "We would like to thank Absa for choosing our school as the2023 recipient of the sustainable vegetable garden. This vegetable garden willgo a long way to assist our children with the ability to concentrate andperform better in class, while promoting environmental awareness and healthyliving."

"Wewill ensure that we nurture the seed that Absa has planted to empower ourchildren with the skills and knowledge of growing their own food. Our grade 10Agricultural Sciences learners will partly be responsible for maintaining theveggie garden," he adds.

"Withthe Possibilities Unearthed initiative, we do not only plant seeds forcultivating, but seeds of hope to inspire this young generation and remind themthat they can plant their own nutritious food. They must know that we supportthem and will continue providing opportunities that will help them live healthylifestyles," Buthelezi concluded.