A small group of students from the North-West University (NWU) decided that they will not be the victims of the #FeesMustFall movement, but will rather try to take ownership of the problem.

These three men, Kumbewe Liwewe, Gabriel Strydom and Jacques Hugo, studied together and because they share privileged backgrounds, they philosophised about a way to help others.

Kumbewe says it would have been easier to go out and socialise, but as they saw so many students experiencing hardship they decided to do something that would benefit the community. “We also wanted to do something that would be sustainable and that will not disappear when we have completed our studies.”

So they started their enterprise Lets Grow Together. Initially they searched for resources in the community, but realised that they had a producer on campus that could keep their costs within limits.

Kumbewe says that he already had a good contact with SUNfarming on the campus and also knew many lecturers. He brought the two together and decided to supply fresh vegetables to NWU staff.

SUNfarming is part of the Faculty of Engineering’s food and energy training centre at the university where solar energy is utilised to grow vegetables in unique greenhouses.

Kumbewe said the idea was never to obtain a bank loan to start a business. “I had a R200 note in my pocket and that was the only money with which we started. We bought the vegetables from SUNfarming and initially used plastic bags for delivery.

“In the beginning we only had three to five clients and gradually expanded to where we now supply vegetables to about 25 people.”

Gabriel says that they are looking for other producers in the community and hope to find residents or small farmers in Ikageng to also support local businesses.

“We want to do something to give back to the community. The project is not about us, but rather about what we can do for the community,” he adds.

“One of the students we are currently working with started his first year at university with no place to live, no textbooks and with only R600 per month that he received from his two grandmothers. Sadly, since the age of seven he thought it normalto only eat once a day.

“This is the reason that we do what we do: to influence the lives of others in a positive way.”

Gabriel says he hopes to take this project to other universities too, because “the more you do, the more you are able to do, and what is more satisfying than helping others.”

“We literally want to sow the seeds and allow them to grow in order for others to reap the benefits. However, every plan needs action; and without action nothing will ever happen.”

• Lets Grow Together recently won the NWU Leopards Lair competition. Students could submit a business idea or invention and various prizes were up for grabs. The finalists of the submissions also exhibited their ideas at the annual SETHI Explosions of the Faculty of Engineering.

Lets Grow Together now also has the opportunity to receive national exposure through the Department of Higher Education and Training’s entrepreneur programme.

•People who are interested in ordering vegetables from Lets Grow Together can send an email to iordertogether@gmail.com or contact Kumbewe Liwewe at 074 342 1963.

 Kumbewe Liwewe and Gabriel Strydom among the beautiful, lush vegetables that are cultivated in the unique SUNfarming greenhouses.

 Some of these beautiful, healthy vegetables are taken in containers to people who placed orders with them.