In the heart of Khayelitsha, the food garden at the Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (Noah) centre has become a sanctuary for the elderly.

This little green oasis is a source of nutritious produce as well as friendship and fellowship among those who tend to it.

Nqwenise Gcaza, 78, says Noah has become a refuge from heartache for him. He lost his wife in 2015, leaving him to care for their six children. Not long after, Mr Gcaza lost his son, and earlier this year, he was hospitalised for low blood pressure.

But after immersing himself in the garden, Mr Gcaza says his health has improved greatly.

“Gardening brings so many benefits,” says Anne Dobson, head of sustainability at Noah. “It’s not only about growing fresh produce; it’s about establishing and growing connections. For many older adults, retirement can be isolating, and this garden offers an inclusive space to engage and enjoy the company of fellow gardeners, reconnect with nature, and share knowledge and skills.”

Noah impacts not only the elderly directly involved with the garden, says Ms Dobson, but also their families and the wider community.

“I use the garden for physical exercise and healing by getting my hands into the soil,” says Singiswa Xiniwe. “I enjoy being able to transfer my skills, teaching my grandchildren how to grow and look after plants the way I was taught as a young child.”

Nomboniso Dyontya, 69, began working in the garden in 2022 after being introduced to Noah through her friend while waiting in a social grants queue.

Ms Dyontya knows the value of food gardens, having provided her family of six with nutritious produce from her own home garden for many years. Now she and her four grandchildren tend to their garden together and rarely go to bed hungry, using spinach to make one of their favourite meals, umfino.

Shoprite has been supporting the NOAH community food garden since July 2019 as part of its Act For Change programme. The supermarket supplied the garden with much-needed infrastructure such as fencing and shade netting. Garden members also received hands-on permaculture training over a period of 18 months, and Shoprite regularly supplies gardening resources such as seedlings, seeds, and compost.

“Our garden is a place for healing, learning, and community,” says Asiphe Mntuyedwa, Noah’s Khayelitsha Centre co-ordinator. “Here, our elders find purpose, share their wisdom, and heal through sharing and friendship.”

Nomboniso Dyonta and Nqwenise Gcaza working the soil.

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Khayelitsha’s healing oasis for the elderly