It’s summer in Sabie – the rainy season. In past summer visits I have managed to hit the dry spells between the rains. Not so this time. But, wow, does it make the gardens flourish. Yesterday there was a break in the misty rain and, the instant the sky brightened, a dozen gogos at the Ubuntu Centre laid down their sewing needles and picked up heavy garden implements. They headed down to their gardens (notice the plural – when I was here 9 months ago only one garden was fully producing) and set to work.

The gogos are breaking new ground, in every sense of that phrase.

I couldn’t help but think what a metaphor this was, the quick switch from wielding fine needles to swinging heavy hoes, breaking new ground. These gogos have had to handle a life full of so many extremes.

While several hacked at the turf to enlarge their gardens, the others plucked at weeds which have responded to the rains just as lushly as the cabbages, potatoes, tomatoes and much more.

Things are flourishing - the gogos; the veggies.

A local volunteer who comes in to help with sewing and knitting on Thursdays, mentioned that she was going to teach them how to can tomatoes soon. The recent purchase of a small deep freeze will ensure that no surplus produce will go to waste. With the gogos’ commitment to gardening each Mon, Wed, and Fri, there’s bound to be plenty for all to share.