Fish Hoek High takes gardening to new heights
Fish Hoek High School pupils took gardening to new heights when they planted 4 500 spekbome in a project to “bring nature back to schools”.
The project was initiated by Nordic Earth, a company based in the south peninsula, and Green Guerrillas, a closed corporation.
The founder and CEO of Nordic Earth, Anki Riemer, said they had had an “amazing response” after a special assembly at Fish Hoek High School and at Muizenberg High School earlier this month.
“One-hundred-and-thirty pupils from Grades 10 to 12 from each school signed up for the planting of trees and a one-hour introduction to urban agriculture, entrepreneurship, living off-grid, and practical experience in planting trees,” she said.
Fish Hoek High School pupils planted the spekbome along the perimeter of the sports pavilion on Wednesday March 9 and Thursday, March 10. They also planted spekbome in the shape of a heart and the letters “FHHS” on the embankment of the sports field.
The Muizenberg High School pupils will plant 4 500 spekbome at the school today, Thursday March 17, and tomorrow, Friday March 18.
“We are passionate about the youth, and we saw a demand and longing for our youth to connect with nature, how to work with nature, and explore opportunities for entrepreneurship in urban agriculture,” Ms Riemer said.
The spekbome were sponsored by a company in Sweden, and 50 tons of organic matter from a landfill was used to produce the compost for the project.
Grade 10 pupil Kalia Torr said she loved gardening and used to work in the garden with her father and grandmother. “It’s great being outdoors and bringing life to Fish Hoek,” she said.
Fish Hoek High School deputy principal Steven Joubert said the school was excited to be part of the project. “Schools are community projects and it is high on our priority list to make a difference in our community,” he said. “It’s is an amazing opportunity for us.”
Ms Riemer said 10 pupils from each school would be invited to join a regenerative agriculture course, part-time over six months, at the Nordic Earth and Green Guerrillas farm.
