What began as a simple idea during the Covid-19 lockdown has become a reality for Swakopmund resident and author Thomas Semba, one of the first 20 beneficiaries of agricultural plots allocated by the Swakopmund municipality. The municipality recently handed over the plots as part of an initiative that will eventually allocate 90 agricultural plots to... The post Semba’s farming dream blossoms appeared first on New Era .
What began as a simple idea during the Covid-19 lockdown has become a reality for Swakopmund resident and author Thomas Semba, one of the first 20 beneficiaries of agricultural plots allocated by the Swakopmund municipality.
The municipality recently handed over the plots as part of an initiative that will eventually allocate 90 agricultural plots to residents, with the broader goal of positioning Swakopmund as an urban agriculture hub.
For Semba, the plot marks the fulfilment of an idea that took root years before the municipality called on residents to pursue urban agriculture.
He said his interest in growing food developed during the Covid-19 period, when movement restrictions underscored the importance of access to food.
“The journey started around 2019. During the lockdown, we realised access to food could become a challenge. We used to go into the desert and see how green the river areas were, and that is where the idea of agriculture began,” Semba said.
Agriculture was not entirely new to him, as gardening was part of his schooling. However, after moving to Swakopmund, he believed the coastal town’s sandy soil would make vegetable production almost impossible. Rather than accepting this, Semba began experimenting at home.
“We were told that because of the sand, we could not grow anything. But when we tried, we realised spinach and other vegetables could grow. That is when we started taking the idea seriously,” he said.
His first attempt was a small backyard garden where he successfully grew vegetables, but it was later vandalised. The setback made him realise that, if he wanted to pursue agriculture seriously, he needed a secure piece of land where he could plant crops and harvest them safely. He then approached the municipality and spoke to other farmers to learn how they managed their agricultural activities.
Semba said that after submitting his application, he eventually forgot about it and doubted the opportunity would materialise.
“We submitted the application and eventually forgot about it because we thought it would never work out. Later, we were called to make a presentation to the municipality, where we explained our idea, mainly around vegetables and other food we could produce,” he said. Years later, that application has earned him a place among the first beneficiaries of the municipality’s urban agriculture initiative. Semba said access to secure land will allow him to move beyond backyard gardening and further develop his agricultural plans.
“It is really an honour. I still cannot believe it. If the place is secured, we can do better because when we grow something, we know we will still be able to harvest it,” he said.
The location of the plots also has personal significance for Semba. He said he worked on the construction of the nearby treatment plant in 2011 and never imagined he would return to the area years later as a beneficiary of an agricultural initiative.
“I was part of the construction of the treatment plant back then. Now, being brought back here to practise agriculture alongside something I was once part of really gladdens my heart,” Semba said. He now plans to use the opportunity to grow vegetables and other food crops, turning an idea born during the uncertainty of the Covid-19 period into a productive agricultural venture.
Swakopmund mayor Suama Kautondokwa said the allocation forms part of the council’s vision to position Swakopmund as an urban agriculture hub. She said the initiative aims to improve food security and community well-being while creating economic opportunities for residents.
Kautondokwa added that the programme is also expected to strengthen cooperation between residents, the municipality, government institutions, development partners and the private sector.
The post Semba’s farming dream blossoms appeared first on New Era.
