The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has provided R500 000 in working capital to assist a provincial HIV/Aids initiatives in establishing a horticultural cluster.

Currently, the project which comprises a half of hectare of greenhouse in Motherwell as well as a potential further 15 hectares of land for outside extensive farming, just outside Port Elizabeth, will soon be producing tomatoes which are destined for one of the country’s national retail vegetable chains.

The objective of the project is to create a self-sustaining farming project, which contributes to the running of the haven as well as create employment for the families affected by AIDS. It also aims to train black farmers and produce vegetables for the haven.

In order to achieve the objective of “an HIV and AIDS free Motherwell” and create a successful horticultural hub, the founder Dr Mamisa Chabula asked a commercial farmer Tony Oshry to join the initiative.

The haven expects to expand its horticultural cluster to three hectares in the coming years. In the first phase, the cluster will create eight jobs. This number will increase as it expands.

The horticultural cluster is one of the first commercial black economic empowered farms of its kind in the province.

The agricultural project is being supported by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the Department of Agriculture.

The Emmanuel Haven project comprises four other clusters – HIV/Aids, SMME support, technology and education.