A crackling fire, freshly picked vegetables and familiar faces framed a day that was less about cooking and more about connection, as South African chef and content creator Onezwa Mbola returned to her roots in Willowvale to cook alongside local farmers at the Phawu Agripak Co-operative.
Surrounded by neat rows of cabbage, beetroot, kale, carrots and peppers, Mbola worked shoulder to shoulder with members of the Phawu Agripak Co-operative, preparing a festive meal using vegetables harvested just metres away.
Root vegetables were wrapped in foil and nestled into hot coals, flatbreads were made by hand, and a chicken roasted slowly over the open fire.
For Mbola, the setting felt deeply personal. ‘I make meals using ingredients I’ve grown or foraged,’ she says.
Being back in Willowvale, close to where she grew up, made the experience feel like a homecoming. ‘These vegetables tell the story of the people caring for them, and that adds a different kind of flavour to food.’
As the group gathered around the fire, conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and the steady rhythm of cooking. Mbola explained that open-fire cooking is part of everyday life for many families, not just a festive-season ritual.
‘For me, open-fire cooking isn’t only for Christmas, it’s just how we cook at home,’ she says. ‘The smoke brings everything to life, especially root vegetables like beetroot, sweet potato and potatoes.’
What made the meal stand out, she added, was the certainty of its origin. ‘Knowing exactly where they came from. That someone planted, watered and cared for them. You can taste that connection.’
The visit also became a platform for sharing simple, practical ideas for the holiday season. Mbola’s own festive favourite is a hearty beef stew filled with garden vegetables, while she also encouraged home cooks to experiment with millet, an indigenous grain she values for its versatility.
‘It’s perfect for salads and a great way to bring traditional ingredients into festive meals,’ she says, pointing to how everyday choices can keep food culture alive while supporting local producers.
A garden built on purpose
Phawu Agripak Co-operative was founded in 2019 on land inherited by community leader Bakhusele Mathupha. Since then, it has grown into a hub supporting women farmers and their families through training, permaculture practices and partnerships that prioritise long-term sustainability.
Once-degraded soil has been restored through composting, while solar-powered water systems now harvest about 150 litres per hour, helping the garden withstand drought-prone conditions.
For Mathupha, the measure of success is straightforward. ‘It was never about how much we could earn, it’s about how much food we can produce,’ he explains.
‘Knowing that people can take food home 365 days a year means more than any amount of money.’
His vision is to see Phawu Agripak develop into a national learning space focused on agroecology, permaculture and traditional farming knowledge.
Shoprite launched the Act for Change Food Garden Competition to recognise and support initiatives like Phawu Agripak.
The winning gardens will receive tailored support collectively worth R1 million, aimed at strengthening sustainability and expanding their impact.
The competition highlights how community gardens do more than grow food. They create livelihoods, preserve indigenous knowledge and offer a practical response to food insecurity.
‘Shoprite is shining a light on community gardens all over South Africa, because they are helping tackle food insecurity and uplift communities in ways that truly matter,’ Mbola says.
As the festive season approaches, Mbola’s message remains grounded in everyday action. ‘There’s a kind of magic in food that’s close to home, whether you’ve grown it yourself or bought it from a local garden,’ she says.
‘It brings people together and reminds us that sustainability isn’t just a concept; it’s something we practice through the meals we share.’
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Picture: Supplied
