Health
Through
Cultivation
Health
Through
Cultivation
Our Story
The Umthathi Training Project Trust, founded in 1992 in Grahamstown (now Makhanda), Eastern Cape is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life and promoting sustainable, healthy living. Its name, derived from the isiXhosa for sneezewood, symbolizes strength and renewal.
Our Story
The Umthathi Training Project Trust, founded in 1992 in Grahamstown (now Makhanda), Eastern Cape is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life and promoting sustainable, healthy living. Its name, derived from the isiXhosa for sneezewood, symbolizes strength and renewal.
Mission & Vision
Umthathi aims to empower economically and socially vulnerable communities by providing skills training in:
Sustainable Food Gardening
Nutrition & Health Education
Income Generation Initiatives
Climate Change Adaptation
Cultivation & Conservation of Indigenous Plants
The organisation fosters self-reliace and community development by encouraging clean environments, household gardens, rainwater harvesting and nutritional healing, while maintaining rigorous monitoring and evaluation of all activities.
Our Key Focus
Umthathi provides training and support for sustainable community living by promoting healthy lifestyles and environmental practices. The organisation works to:
- Promote clean environments
- Establish household food gardens
- Implement rainwater harvesting systems
- Encourage nutritional healing practices
- Develop nurseries for indigenous and useful plants
Additionally, Umthathi facilitates partnerships to create a support network for community development and maintains thorough documentation to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of all projects.
Our Journey
Explore the milestones that have shaped the Umthathi Training Project since its inception.
1992
Founding of Umthathi Training Project
Established in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, we had a mission to empower communities through skills training and education.
1993
First Community Garden Initiative
We launched the Community & Home Food Gardening Programme, promoting sustainable agriculture and nutritional health.
1998
Expansion of Gardening Program
We expanded our training programs to the Schools Garden Program, now supporting 40 schools and 10 – 12 community groups annually.Â
2000
Recognised Non-Profit Organisation
We registered as a Non Profit Organisation with the Department of Social Development in October 2000.
2022
Building Sustainable Farming Practices
In July, we hosted a food sovereignty learning exchange. In August, a farmers’ Agric expo and learning exchange. Then, in September, we partnered with Umtiza Farmers’ Corp for the first farm animal training in broilers and laying hens.
Our Journey
Explore the milestones that have shaped the Umthathi Training Project since its inception.
1992
Founding of Umthathi Training Project
Established in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, we had a mission to empower communities through skills training and education.
1993
First Community Garden Initiative
We launched the Community & Home Food Gardening Programme, promoting sustainable agriculture and nutritional health.
1998
Expansion of Gardening Program
We expanded our training programs to the Schools Garden Program, now supporting 40 schools and 10 – 12 community groups annually.Â
2000
Recognised Non-Profit Organisation
We registered as a Non Profit Organisation with the Department of Social Development in October 2000.
2022
Building Sustainable Farming Practices
In July, we hosted a food sovereignty learning exchange. In August, a farmers’ Agric expo and learning exchange. Then, in September, we partnered with Umtiza Farmers’ Corp for the first farm animal training in broilers and laying hens.