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<\/p>\nRabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za<\/p>\n
21 August 2025<\/p>\n
2-minute read<\/p>\n
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Growing up in the dusty villages of Limpopo, Solomon Kgolani was exposed to gardening from a very young age by his parents. He went on to study Agricultural and Environmental Studies and became a passionate garden consultant.<\/p>\n
In a world where food prices keep climbing and green spaces are shrinking, \u2018Sol Green Fingers\u2019, as he is affectionately known on social media, is helping communities take back control\u2014one seed at a time. He\u2019s on a mission to make gardening simple, accessible, and rewarding, by teaching people how to start their own veggie gardens and farms. Helping kids get their own gardens started at schools \u201cboosts their confidence,\u201d says Solomon. It\u2019s all about sharing knowledge and making gardening more accessible for underprivileged communities.<\/p>\n
Season dependent, Solomon formulates a \u201cneed list\u201d for clients, showing them seasonal plants, then doing a soil analysis of the area where they want to set up the garden, and improving soil that is of poor quality. Clients select plants that they prefer from the list to plant, and Solomon guides them on planting and taking care of the crops.<\/p>\n
The results? Apart from sustainable gardens, Solomon says his projects foster stronger social bonds, improves mental wellbeing and encourages shared responsibilities.<\/p>\n
Solomon\u2019s environmental education courses for kids focuses on water conservation, teaching about native plants and pollinators, as well as the methods of companion planting to avoid the use of chemicals and pesticides. A school he worked with to provide environmental education now has a thriving garden, where parents have started donating seeds and seedlings to the school after sampling the produce. Gardening, planting, and digging gives children, especially those with autism, a feeling of peace and calms them down.<\/p>\n
Solomon\u2019s vision is to see \u201cno family go hungry.\u201d He hopes to see every community having a community garden where they will volunteer, help struggling families get access to fresh vegetables, and learn to grow their own food, \u201cminimising going to the grocery store\u201d.<\/p>\n
From schoolyards to backyards, Solomon is planting the seeds of change, teaching people how to grow food, live sustainably, and reconnect with the earth.<\/p>\n