The Hlokomela Herb Garden Centre

On Wednesday 7 August 2013, Mrs. Lente Roode and Mary Jane Weiskopf – a board member of the US friends of HESC – visited the Hlokomela herb garden just outside Hoedspruit. The aim of their visit was to learn more about the work that is being done in the garden in respect of the outreach programme that employs HIV/AIDS sufferers.

Mrs. Roode with garden manager, Angie Rowles

The garden is an Income Generating Opportunity (IGO); all of the income derived from the business will be used to address sustainability and growth issues associated with existing Hlokomela programmes serving farm workers and their families.

The Hlokomela herb garden has been running since August 2011, and provides more than 25 different organic herbs, herb syrups and herbal teas to the local market. Seven people are employed at the garden, and all work is done by hand.

HESC, in association with Lodges on the Kapama Private Game Reserve, will be supporting the Hlokomela herb garden by purchasing freshly harvested herbs produced there. We would also like to get local students involved with this programme, by assisting with daily tasks in and around the garden.

Planted herbs

The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is looking forward to helping Hlokomela to make a difference to our local community.

One of the ladies working in the garden