Draft Business Plan for the Impendle Local Economic Development & Environmental Sustainability Initiative

Draft Business Plan for the Impendle Ecoversity & Wellness Centre

Rural Centre for Sustainable Initiatives in

Ecology, Ecotourism, and Economics

&

Imfudumalo Wellness CentreA Local Economic Development & Environmental Sustainability Initiative Gijima-Funded feasibility study under the name of the Zuvuya Sustainability Outreach Centre & ProjectsSubmitted by Samantha Ellis, Project ManagerrepresentingDargle Development Consulting, CC

A Gijima-Funded Local Competitiveness Fund:

Competitiveness Action Plan

Table of ContentsExecutive Summary

Section 1: Introductionp. 4Vision

Mission

ObjectivesElements of the Project

Development Vision

Imfudumalo: Partner and Host NPO

Project Site

Organisational Structure and CapacitySection 2: Background and Alignment with Government Objectives

Background on the Feasibility Study

Background on the Impendle Municipality

Alignment with the Impendle Municipality IDP

Alignment with the Impendle Municipality LEDSection 3: Project Programmes

Organic Farming & Permaculture

About the Concepts

Section 1: Selection, Design, and Costing of the Garden Systems

Introduction

Selected Permaculture Systems and Structures

Table of Materials and Implementation Costs

Scope of Field Work

Conclusion

Section 2: Training in Permaculture and Organic Gardening

Introduction

Identification of Community Needs

Review of Existing Training Courses & Unit Standards

Proposed Permaculture Training Programme

Training Programme Budget Spreadsheet

Conclusion

Section 3: Outreach Activities

Introduction

Selection of Outreach Beneficiaries

Funding of the Activities

Training of the Beneficiaries

Site Implementation and Impact Monitoring

Estimated Budget

Conclusion

Section 4: Marketing Avenues for Organics

Introduction

Existing Agricultural Projects in Impendle

Future Agricultural Options for Impendle

Existing Agricultural Markets used by Impendle Farmers

Possible Future Agricultural Markets for Impendle

Organic Certification

Possible Job Creation

Conclusion

Research Costs for Further InvestigationNatural BuildingIntroductionStatutory/Legal Investigation

Site Analysis

Project Brief

Detailed Schedule with Estimated Building Costs

Development of Locally Appropriate Natural Building Technologies

Building Training and Roll-out

Appropriate Technology

Section 1: AT Deployment at the Imfudumalo site

Introduction

Identification of Site Needs

Assessment of Natural Resources

Selection, Design, and Costing of AT Systems

Conclusion

Section 2: AT Implementation and Job Creation Training

Introduction

Identification of Community Needs

Identification of Potential AT & Job Creation Opportunities

Review of Existing AT Training & Unit Standards

Proposed Training Courses

Conclusion

EcotourismIntroduction

Ecotourism Potential in Impendle

Tourism Statistics

Types of Ecotourism Experiences and Niche Markets

Ecotourism Products and Services

Target Markets for Ecotourism

Identified Markets and Groups for Ecotourism

Marketing Avenues and Partnerships for Promoting Ecotourism

Structure of the Programme

Training Needs

Implementation Timeline

Programme Costs and Budget

Craft

Section 1: Craft Outreach Programme ActivitiesIntroduction

Potential Beneficiaries

Recommended Craft Mediums

Integration of Crafting Activities

Craft Programme Facilities

Marketing Avenues and Partnerships

Estimated Budget

Section 2: Craft Training

SAQA Unit Standards

Outline of Training Programme

Costs of Training

Section 4: Implementation

Identified Possible Funders and Supporters

Key tasks and timeline to reach implementation

Site development and planning permission

Section 5: The budget Budget summary (Excel document attached separately)AcronymsACAT

Africa Co-operative Action Trust

AT

Appropriate (or Alternative) Technology

CTO

Community Tourism Office

DACT

Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism

DAEA

Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs

DBSA

Development Bank of South Africa

EKZNWEzemvelo KwaZulu Natal Wildlife

LED

Local Economic Development

IDP

Integrated Development Plan

OVC

Orphan and Vulnerable Children

UMDMUmgungundlovu District Municipality

NPO

Non-profit Organisation

SAQA

South African Qualifications Authority

KZN

KwaZulu Natal

ZMTE

Zulu Mphophomeni Tourism Experience

Executive Summary

The Impendle Ecoversity & Wellness Centre: Rural Centre for Sustainable Initiatives in Ecology, Ecotourism, and Economics & Imfudumalo Wellness Centre will serve as a demonstration site for best practices in sustainable development, local economic development, and wellnessfor rural and urban areas. The Centre will run learning programmes and serve as a hub for outreach projects in organic farming, natural building, appropriate technology, ecotourism, and craft. Located in the poorest municipality of the Umgungundlovu district of KwaZulu Natal, where the HIV/AIDS infection rate is over 50%, where illiteracy is high and further education and training opportunities do not exist, it is envisaged that this centre will uplift socio-economic levels, increase overall wellness, and offer much needed solutions to todays crises of unemployment, disease, environmental degradation, lack of vocational skills, dependence on non-renewable energy, and lack of food security.The wellness centre will offer integrated health care services to the vulnerable and those with terminal illness (such as HIV/AIDS) and offer advice and services in traditional and allopathic prevention and cures--combining traditional and natural ways of preventing and treating illnesses with conventional medical practice. The wellness centre will also be a drop-in for orphans and vulnerable children who need a place to get a healthy meal, counselling, help with school work, and to play and have fun in a safe environment. An established local NPO, Imfudumalo, will be managing the wellness centre activities.The site will consist of a training and workshop space, a reception area, a food processing room with cool packing shed, a room with tools and equipment for making appropriate technology, a crafting pod for crafters to make and sell their things on site, a caf/canteen, permaculture gardens in the middle and in between buildings, appropriate technology systems for waste water treatment, supplying renewable energy for power, collecting rainwater, cooking food, etc., a day-care centre the vulnerable, and a wellness clinic. All buildings will be made using a variety of natural building techniques and materials.For each of the focus areas of the Ecoversity, there will be learning programmes (accredited where possible), hands-on components, and development of cooperatives for income generation. Financial sustainability will come from beneficiary member contributions, renting of the space for functions, and selling of goods and services from the Centre to markets outside of Impendle. For instance, the organic farming component will teach organic and permaculture methods, set up a garden at the Centre and assist with outreach gardens, and help local farmers set up a cooperative and market for their produce. The ecotourism component (which is already underway) will train locals to be tour guides and host-families for tourists, offer a variety of cultural and environmental tourist activities, and set up a cooperative for overall coordination of tourism activities in Impendle.This project is in alignment with the local, district, and provincial development strategies such as the Local Economic Development strategy, Spatial Development Framework, Integrated Development Plan, and the Provincial Growth and Development Strategyfulfilling many of the goals and objectives of those plans. This project provides a holistic and integrated approach to solving the many problems faced by the rural poor and society at large.Section 1: Introduction

Vision:

A community and environment that is self-sustaining and healthy and where the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable have a decent quality of life.

Mission: To increase the quality of life and economic potential for those living in Impendle, while at the same time increasing environmental awareness and conservation.

To be a centre for rural local economic development and environmental sustainability, initiatives in agriculture, natural building, appropriate technology, ecotourism, and craft.

To be a centre of wellness through preventative and curative education and care, through partnership with Imfudumaloa local non-profit that offers home-based care to the most vulnerable in the community.Project Objectives

Sustainability: demonstrate environmental and economic sustainability principles through food production, natural building systems and appropriate energy;

Rural upliftment: develop new sustainability skills in marginalized rural areas in order to improve living standards and decrease urban migration;

Job creation: transfer new skills to create jobs within the greater community;

Food Security & Nutrition: Organic products for more healthy and nutritious foods, for food security and income generation;

HIV/ AIDS awareness: promote HIV/AIDS awareness and wellness through proper nutrition;

Partnerships: create partnerships in development amongst public, private and community stakeholders.

Elements of the Ecoversity ProjectThe project consists of 5 main focus areas for skills development, job creation, and environmental sustainability that address the above objectives:

Organic Farming and Permaculture:

Growing food and plants using natural methods and local resources and techniques that conserve the natural environment

Project Activities:

Training in organic farming and permaculture (certificate available) and entrpreneurship

Setting up the gardens and crops of the Imfudumalo site

Mentoring learners to improve and create community, home, and school gardens

On organic farmers cooperative to produce and markets products

A food-processing area to add-value for selling to groceries stores and larger markets

Natural Building:

High-quality structures using local resources and low-tech techniques

Project Activities

Training in natural building techniques and entrepreneurship

Building structures on the Imfudumalo site

Builders cooperative for marketing their skills

Appropriate Technology (AT):

Low-technology solutions the provide solutions to rural problems such as solar heating and cooking, water harvesting, and wind power.

Project Activities

Training in AT and entrepreneurship

Creation of AT equipment and systems for the Imfudumalo site.

Mentorship of AT entrepreneurs who start their own businesses.

Ecotourism:

Tourism linked to fair practices and that focus on the natural and cultural assets of the area.

Project Activities

Homestay families trained for hosting tourists

Tourism programme for international and local tourists and students to experience the culture, adventure, and environmental aspects of Impendle.

Tour guide training

Volunteer tourism programme to help establish and maintain the Centre

Craft:

Developing high quality items with local resources for sale to a larger market

Project Activities

Training in sewing, leatherwork, beadwork, grass weaving, and cultural artefacts

Crafters cooperative established for production and marketing

Craft shop for selling locally-made items.

Beneficiaries in Impendle include:

Current crafting groups and individual crafters

Current community and school garden groups

Current builders and those with building skills

Women and youth (those with sufficient passion and capacity) to be engaged in the training programmes

The ill and vulnerable currently being served by Imfudumalo

The general community of Impendle

The Impendle Municipality who currently does not have the capacity to meet its service delivery backlog.Project SiteMulti-Functional A training centre and workshop for

AT, gardening, and craft tools and equipment

All skills training and workshops

Food processing and cold-storage facility

A day-care facility for the ill and vulnerable A reception and administration office which will also serve as a shop for displaying crafts and locally-made goods. This is where tourists and visitors will be welcomed.

A kitchen, dining area, and caf to serve staff, patients, learners, and the public

Organic and permaculture gardens throughout the site

Water, energy, and sanitation needs to be supplied and maintained through AT systems.

This slide shows the location of Impendle within the surrounding ecotourism routes in the area.

Organisational Structure and Capacity

Legal Structure

A non-profit organisation with the name Sihlangene Kokwethu: Siletha Ulwazi, Sandisa Umnotho (isiZulu meaning Were doing it for ourselves: Bringing knowledge, increasing wealth) is being formed by the LED Steering Committee in order to fundraise and manage funds for this project. This NPO will have a board made up of people from the community and people with expertise to oversee such a large project. Once the NPO has raised some money, staff can be hired to manage the project. A limited number of project staff will be hired on a full-time basis to run the training centre and workshop, the volunteer programme, administration office, and gardens and consultants will be used as trainers and short-term experts. Wellness Centre staff will be hired through Imfudumalo to handle all the work associated with the care of the ill and OVCs.

There is currently a local steering committee for local economic development in Impendle made up of community members, representatives from various local, district, provincial government departments, the traditional authority, and other local NPOs. The steering committee has been formed and meeting to discuss LED and progress on the LED project since August of 2007. Site Tenure and Development

The site for project activities of the sustainability and wellness centre has been given to Imfudumalo by the Tribal Authority (the Nkosi of Impendle) with a letter giving permission to occupy. This letter, along with an application for tenure, was submitted to the Ingonyama Land Trust in March 2008. The tenure will be given for the first two years thereafter the tenure will be for 40 years to be renewed into perpetuity.

Site tenure process and development rights are currently underway with the help of the Impendle Municipalitys Development Planner. The DAEA has submitted an official letter stating that a Basic Assessment Report (BAR) will not be required. The other role players being consulting for the development of the site include the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Eskom, the Department of Transport, and the local and district municipalities.

Human Resources

Organisation Director (fundraising, HR, operations, sits on board)

Organisation Assistant (programme coordination, volunteer recruitment and manager)

Site manager (coordinates with programme managers activities on site, maintenance, tools and equipment, coordination of deliveries, overseeing groups of volunteers, security)

Finance & Administrative Manager

The various programme managers have their own responsibilities and budgets as outlined in those sections.

Board of Directors Employment Equity: It is hoped that all of the programme assistant positions will be filled by Impendle residents. As capacity is gained, these assistants could move into the management roles thereby having most of the staff positions of the organisation held by local people.

Administration

At the beginning of the project, it will be necessary to rent a space in Impendle to serve as the office of this project until buildings are built on the site for this purpose. Legal processes: tax, HR, etc

The Imfudumalo Wellness Centre

Please note that a separate business plan needs to be drawn up for this project as its management, operations, and funding (apart from the built structure) fall outside of the scope of the Ecoversity business plan.

There will be specific programmes for the Wellness Centre taking place on the project site and, although there will be synergies between the Ecoversity and Wellness Centre, they will operate as separate entities.

Imfudumalo as an organisation will be overseen and supported by the Department of Health, the Department of Social Development, Hospice KZN, and perhaps other entities that will ensure the wellness activities are managed and funded effectively.

Imfudumalo will have its own board of Directors and Steering Committee as it currently does to govern operations.

An agreement between the Ecoversity and Wellness Centre will have to be drawn up that details how expenses and maintenance will be shared on the site.

The Imfudumalo Wellness Centre envisions as its activities:

Hospice Dare Care for the ill who need food and specific attention and activity away from their homes. Two meals and appropriate activities will be offered in the day care.

Orphan and Vulnerable Children Day Care for children needing food and special attention, particularly children of child-headed households. Two meals and appropriate activities will be offered in the day care.

A Wellness programme and herbal dispensary for treating the ill with natural health care and herbal muthis.

An arts programme (arts therapy) to engage the hospice patients and OVCs.

Volunteers from the community and from the greater community and even overseas will be encouraged to come spend time with the people in the daycare centres.

Organigram of the Organisational Human Resource Structure

Section 2: Background and Alignment with Governmental Strategic PlansBackground on feasibility study

This project began as a feasibility study in identifying the best type of intervention to increase local economic development (LED) for Impendlea finance and infrastructure poor rural community in the Midlands of KwaZulu Natal. The feasibility study was funded by Gijima KZN as part of the Competitiveness Action Plan and started in July 2007. The goal of this LED project is to increase the quality of life of people within a community by allowing the community itself to manage and generate economic development; resources and money should flow into and within the community. An additional focus was added to the feasibility studyenvironmental sustainabilityas it was felt that conserving and protecting of natural resources should be a priority concern for any development project.

The feasibility study began with a team of experts engaged to research the various elements of the project. The first activity was to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the communitythis was done through primary and secondary research methods. The primary method was by engaging with people in Impendle (the community, field workers, tribal authority, local NPOs, and the municipality) as well as District and Provincial departments serving Impendle through focused group interviews, formal interviews, questionnaires, sitting in on relevant meetings, visits to current projects and sites, and informal discussions. The secondary data consisted of reviewing the Impendle IDP (Integrated Development Plan) and LED documents, the Impendle Municipality website, and a review of District and Provincial materials related to Impendle.

After analysing all the data including what the community really needed and what would meet the strategic objectives of the local, district and provincial governments for Impendle, a project concept was formed. Further on in this report, it is shown where there are clear linkages between governmental LED and IDP objectives and this projects activities.

Background on Impendle Municipality

The following description of the municipality points to its strong need for an improved quality of life for the people through economic, agrarian, and social means and a need for the environment to be conserved. (Excerpt from the Impendle Municipality website.)Impendle Municipality is an area that falls within the uMgungundlovu District Municipality. It is located outside the primary and secondary movement systems of the District, and is some distance away from the major tourist and trade routes, although two important roads mark its borders. The road linking Pietermaritzburg and Underberg, which serves as an important access route to the Southern Drakensberg, a popular tourist destination, runs along Impendles southern boundary. The link road between Mooi River and Underberg, which is an alternative tourist route, travels along the Municipalitys north-western boundary.

Impendle area is extremely diverse in its topography, climate and soils, and has a rich and complex natural environment. Its location at the foot of the Drakensberg makes Impendle a highland area, and an important source of water within the KwaZulu-Natal province. It is in the catchment areas of the Mkhomazi River in the south and the Mngeni River in the north-east.

High-density settlements occur around Impendle Town, in villages such as Gomane, KwaNovuka, Similobha and Kamensi. A second layer of relatively dense settlements occurs on the eastern side of Impendle Mountain, while density decreases sharply towards the west, with a ribbon of small villages running along the Lotheni River. The densely populated areas are better developed than their counterparts in the sparsely populated areas. The landscapes and vistas of rolling hills that can be seen from the Drakensberg Mountains, and the nature conservation areas, both declared and undeclared, make Impendle a prime candidate for tourism development. Also, its relatively high rainfall and good soil make it an area with high agricultural potential. However, none of these possibilities have yet been realised.

Currently, the major economic activity in the Municipality is forestry and agriculture, whether commercial farming or subsistence farming in the Nxamalala traditional authority area. Unlike most small towns in KwaZulu-Natal, which developed as service centres for the farming community, Impendle Town developed around the magistrates court serving Impendle magisterial district. The town has a police station, a post office, and the offices of the magistrate and Impendle Local Municipality. As a commercial centre it is poorly developed. The population of Impendle is calculated at 33 948 people, 53% of whom are in the 0 - 19 age group. The area has a high level of unemployment (52%), and 60% of the inhabitants live below the poverty line. Poverty is a serious issue in the Municipality, affecting not only the health and welfare of the inhabitants, but leading to a relatively high rate of crime, which normally takes the form of stock theft, illicit trade in dagga, and the abuse of women and children.

There are two issues of particular concern to the Municipality that are associated with extreme poverty:

Lack of food security (that is, the supply of sufficient food of adequate nutritional quality on a daily basis) and illiteracy. Women and children are most affected by food insecurity because of their dependent status, and malnutrition and the diseases associated with it are common. Relatively few families farm for food production, partly because they do not have the capital and equipment to till the land.

Illiteracy is also high in the Municipal area, especially in women and in people who live on the commercial farms, which seldom provide educational facilities. Those schools that do exist are in poor condition, and are often at some distance from the homes of the pupils. A low level of literacy makes it very difficult for people to find jobs: those who are employed are very poorly paid.

The increasing prevalence of HIV/Aids also has far-reaching socio-economic implications for development in Impendle. The effects include family breakdown, as parents die, leaving increasing numbers of orphans; loss of household income where the sufferer is the breadwinner; increased exposure of family members to infection; and extreme financial and emotional stress for those caring for family members.

The most urgent requirements for service delivery in the Municipality are to clear the major infrastructure backlogs in the supply of water and electricity to the inhabitants, and to build and maintain roads. Sanitation is also poorly provided for, with a majority of households dependent on self-built pit latrines that pose serious health and environmental problems. The Municipality also lacks both a solid waste disposal site and a waste collection service. At present, the health needs of Impendle Municipality are serviced by two clinics supplemented by mobile clinic services, but the latter are unreliable and are frequently short of medicines. Generally there is poor access to primary health care and public facilities in the Municipality. Other issues requiring attention relate to housing (which is generally rural and informal in character, and frequently at risk of destruction by rain or floods) and land reform. Key development objectives & strategies of the Impendle Municipality

With the objective of reducing the level of absolute poverty by 50% in five years, Impendle Municipality plans to introduce food safety net projects, promote small-scale farming land crop production, and launch income-generating projects such as saw-milling and block-making. The problem of illiteracy and lack of basic skills is to be addressed through the creation of basic adult education and skills training. The Municipality aims to accomplish this through involving non-governmental organisations that can assist with adult education, and by establishing a skills training centre in Impendle.

The Municipality aims to raise health services to the standards required by the Department of Health within five years. Strategies to bring this about include building strategically located clinics; providing reliable mobile clinics that will visit every outlying area at least once a fortnight; and offering training to home-based care providers.

Specific objectives in the delivery of basic services within the next five years are to supply clean, potable water within 200 metres of each household; halve the backlog in sanitation provision; provide a public telephone within five kilometres of each household; halve the backlog in electricity supply; and build 4 800 houses. The same time frame applies to the Municipalitys objective of distributing 10% of agricultural land to previously disadvantaged farmers. Alignment with Impendle Municipality Integrated Development Plan

There are many project linkages to identified IDP areas. Please see tbe appendix for the full document that clearly links project activities that address IDP areas. In brief, the project will be providing programmes and solutions that address the following IDP challenges/needs:

1. Food Security2. Illiteracy3. Increasing rate of HIV/AIDS Infection

4. Skills Development

5. Youth and Other Target Groups

6. Service Delivery

7. Housing

8. Service Centres

Alignment with Impendle Municipality Local Economic Development Plan

As with the above referred to document, there are many clear linkages between the municipalitys LED goals and what this project is offering. The following is an excerpt from this document.

Below, in italics, are excerpts from the 2008 LED Plan. After each excerpt is a statement about how the project addresses the issues raised, thereby showing a clear linkage between this project and the overall Impendle LED Strategy.

There is very limited capacity in Impendle to implement Local Economic Development (LED). It will be critical that Impendle seeks partnerships with other entities to ensure that LED can be implemented.

Project Intervention: This project, although still in the concept stage, has already got multi-stakeholder and multi-level involvementfrom the grassroots involvement of the local churches and NPOs, traditional authority, and government field workers who form part of the Impendle LED Steering Committee to the involvement of representatives of Provincial departments and NPOs who serve as members of the Impendle LED Advisory Board.

Additionally, Impendle is viewed as a priority node by the province with the potential to become a regional services centre.

Project Intervention: This project will serve as a model and demonstration centre of new and critically important sustainability initiatives for both rural and urban development. There is no one centre in South Africa where so many types of sustainability systems can be seen and learned in one placeto be replicated around the country. This project aims to serve this purpose.Given Impendles location and competitive profile, its LED focus should be on agriculture and agri-process, nature based tourism (conservation and adventure and agri tourism) and skills development activities.

See the tables below for specifics about how this project includes these activities.Impendle will need major training and mentoring initiatives in order to re-skill and up-skill local people.

This project will be building a training centre to re-skill and up-skill local people. Mentorship for at least a year after training, through a training of trainers approach, will form a major part of each programme.

An increase in agri-process and tourism activities in the area is likely to stimulate the development of entrepreneurs and small enterprises, and additionally will result in the addition of a number of sustainable jobs and enterprises in the local economy.

Each of the project activities should stimulate entrepreneurs and small enterprises. Examples of this are that those trained in AT can manufacture their own equipment for selling AT solutions to the community. Those involved in tourism can have their own little business offering a cultural or adventure activity and even their home to tourists.

Of particular interest to Impendle is the commitment on the part of province to the development and implementation of marketing and communication strategies initiated to boost the tourism sector, including fast-tracking brand roll-out programmes for destinations in KwaZulu-Natal, in partnership with the District Municipalities. This represents a resource to be accessed in the development of tourism in Impendle.

As part of the stakeholder consultation process, the feasibility study has secured the commitment of the District Tourism office for in-kind support for the tourism aspects of the project such as sponsorship of marketing materials and tourism advice, In summary and in addition to the above, the following areas for LED development are addressed in this project. Please see the appendix for full details of project activities.

1. Tourism2. Agriculture3. Commerce4. Building and ConstructionImfudumalo, Partner and Host NPO for this ProjectThe project will be partnering with Imfudumalo, an effective non-profit organisation in Impendle, in order to make use of existing vision, leadership, and momentum. Imfudumalo was established to serve the needs of the ill and vulnerable in Impendle through home-based care intervention. Imfudumalo currently has 22 volunteers and an active steering committee--there are no paid positions. Beatrice Molefe is the Coordinator and has worked closely with the Feasibility Study team throughout the research period. Hospice KwaZulu Natal has helped Imfudumalo build capacity and has been supporting their work financially.

Imfudumalo identified the need for a centre to care for people who were not getting adequate care at home and they started the process of acquiring a piece of land, approximately one hectare, from the Tribal Authority, including getting the site fenced which was done in 2006. The land is located just a few kilometres from Impendle Village next to the tar road that leads between Boston and Impendle. It was felt that this site would be the perfect place to host the project as there is a lot of synergy between what Imfudumalo needs and what the project is offering. It has easy access and visibility for outside visitors and for local transport.For example, it is one of the projects aims to teach principles and techniques of organic gardening and permaculture to those in Impendle to increase nutrition, food security, and income generation. The vulnerable families served by Imfudumalo need to increase their nutrition, food security, and income generation in order to survive. Another need of Imfudumalo is to have structures for a hospice and place of safety for vulnerable children. This projects aim through the Natural Building component is to train local people in building quality structures out of natural, local materials. The Imfudumalo site will need energy, water, and sanitation systems, this projects Appropriate Technology component will meet these needs while training the locals in how to create these systems. It is planned that the Ecotourism and Craft components will bring volunteers to help build the centre and provide income-generation opportunities through Tour Guiding and the selling of locally-made crafts. By partnering with Imfudumalo, the project is able to meet its own objectives while meeting the objectives of Imfudumalo and the larger community.

Please see the Appendix for a detailed description and history of activity for Imfudumalo.

Organic Agriculture and Permaculture ProgrammeThis programme encompasses four main areas which are detailed below:

1) The development of permaculture systems and organic garden and crop field at the Imfudumalo site which will serve as both a demonstration model for these systems as well as to generate food and muthi for those utilizing the centre.

2) A training programme in organic gardening and permaculture

3) Outreach organic and permaculture projects that will be supported through the Centre

4) Marketing plan for the commercial selling of organics for income generation

Paul Duncan of Dove House was contracted to evaluate the feasibility and design of all project activities associated with permaculture and organic farming. The following information is extracted from his report:

About the ConceptsOrganic means using methods for the production and processing of plants and animals that does not use manufactured chemicals that have adverse affects on the environment or human health. Chemicals are manufactured to act as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer, antibiotics, and genetically modified organisms. Organic means of production and processing is important to maintain ecological balance, human, and animal health. The process is usually more labour intensive but less capital intensive, which is good for rural economic development. Organic foods give better nutrition.

Permaculture is a systems design response to the downward spiral into unsustainability that the world has been involved in for the last 150 years (at least). It is a system based on natural ecosystem processes: through consciously combining plant, animal, built environment and energy systems, it endeavors to create sustainable human habitats, settlements and agriculturally productive systems. The intention is to design productive systems that ultimately generate more energy than they consume, with no negative impact on the natural environment.SECTION 1: Selection, Design and Costing of Proposed Permaculture/Organic Garden SystemsIntroduction

Medical reports supplied by the Impendle municipality state that almost in every household approximately 13% of monthly income goes to medical expenses. Impendle is no exception. HIV/ Aids is draining the community severely, fresh organic fruits and vegetables and a clean environment are the first line of defence in combating immune deficiency. Therefore, the vision for the Imfudumalo Wellness Centre is to have a holistic approach to healthcare and have gardens that supply most of the food used by the patients and caregivers of the Centre. For this purpose it has been decided that Permaculture gardening systems be introduced.

These gardens will provide a working example of a permaculture/organic gardening system and be a venue for permaculture gardening skills development for the community. So all the gardens will be organically managed and the design layout introduced initially will follow permaculture principles which will be phased in over a few years.

Some of the outcomes of the permaculture/organic gardens should be:

Yearly increases in soil fertility

increased length of growing season

increased diversity of plants that can be grown

Increase in quantity and quality of produce

increased protection from the weather for the site

increased skills empowerment in community

decreased need for external inputs

Positive influence in Impendle community

Job creation

Selected Permaculture Systems and Structures

1. Nursery / hothouse

For the effective implementation of permaculture systems, a priority is to have a plant nursery to provide plant resources for the site development. Plant diversity helps to balance the system and create linkages between the different Zones of the gardens. Job creation is also directly linked with the nursery as plants can be sold to visitors and to people who attend the Nursery Training Workshops. These people can then take these new skills home and create business opportunities for themselves.

The frame of this building will be constructed from wooden poles. The dimensions for the nursery are 8m x 4m .The structure will be covered with 20% shade net which will provide the necessary protection for the summer production of a mixture of plants such as vegetables, herbs, shrubs and trees. Mist sprinklers and a hosepipe will take care of watering requirements. Nursery tables will be constructed using steel wires supported between poles which are secured into the ground. Hothouse plastic covers will be secured on top of the shade cloth structure for winter protection from the cold. This will assist by allowing seedlings to be planted earlier giving the gardeners a head start to the summer production of vegetables. Also it will be a place to store young trees and shrubs over winter giving them more chance to fill out.Impendle farmers are having to buy in their seedlings at the present moment and this causes all sorts of complications like lack of supply at times, inferior quality, seedlings either to young or to mature. So the skills developed through the nursery and its training program can create an ideal situation for job creation.

2. Hen houseThe value of chickens in a community is many fold. They provide good protein; they produce many eggs in a season which relates to eggs being eaten or sold or to increasing their numbers. Together with this they provide a first line of defence in keeping insect and small organism populations down. This is incredibly valuable for small-scale farmers. They also consume large quantities of kitchen waste so they generally clean up any waste lying around.Chickens will also provide the gardens and biogas digester (refer to AT report) with manure which would otherwise need to be brought in from external sources. Chickens have a habit of scratching up and eating vegetables and seedlings in a garden so there is a need for a secure hen house and fencing. For the Imfudumalo site, a fenced rotation system linking the hen house and garden has been devised for Garden B and small movable chicken houses will be used in Garden A.These systems will allow the chicken systems to be fully integrated into the garden system which will increase the potential of both. 80% of the chickens diet will come from the gardens in the form of insects and plants. The other 20% will need to be brought in. This will be in the form of grains. For this reason it is suggested that the chicken system starts with only 14 chickens, 10 in the hen house and 4 for the two mobile chicken houses. Then when the full carrying capacity of the chicken system has been assessed over a 24 month period, expansion can happen. The chicken house itself will be half enclosed with walls to the roof and the other half will be fully enclosed with chicken mesh. The roof will be made of galvanized roof sheeting which can also be used to harvest water for use in the chicken house or gardens. Roosting and laying boxes will be placed inside the hen house. The hen house will be connected to the nursery as they provide mutual benefits for each other like heat transfer in winter and increased pest control.

As well as the hen house there will be 2 small mobile chicken houses (chicken tractors) which can be rotated over the garden beds to increase fertility and reduce pests in the gardens. These chicken tractors will mainly be used in the smaller gardens around the buildings. They will also provide a safe space for hens to raise their chicks. These chicken systems make sure there are animal inputs directly in the gardens as well as possible income generation for the gardens and food source for the clinic. Because of the interest in poultry from thieves, making sure the chicken houses are secured properly is essential.

3. Composting systems (earthworm farms, liquid composts, bio inoculants, static pile composts)

For improving soil fertility, effective and efficient composting and associated programs must be in place in the gardens. Suitable structures to house worm farms will be needed. There are a few different ways for this to be done so it is suggested that a few different examples be on site for training purposes.

Liquid composts and bio-inoculants will be made in 100 liter plastic drums which will need to be placed under a small roof to provide protection from fluctuating temperatures. These will also need to be located close to a tap.Compost production areas will be located in different locations on the site providing easy access to specific garden areas. These areas will provide an open space to collect materials for use in compost making and the space for the compost to mature. It is suggested that the composting systems are the first systems to be developed and they are developed during a workshop training beneficiaries at the site. Compost production can start as soon as possible so that it is available for the gardens implementation phase.

4. Water tanks, taps and irrigation systems.

Water is an important resource for a project of this nature .The Alternative Technology service provider has proposed using a ram pump to deliver water from the nearby stream to two 5500 liter water storage tanks. One of these tanks will provide purified water to the wellness center and the other tank will supply water to the garden systems for their needs. The tanks will be placed on tank stands on the most elevated side of the site to ensure enough pressure to the site.

Pipes must be run underground from the tank to taps at various points in the garden to supply the necessary water requirements. From these taps, water will be distributed onto the gardens by different methods such as hosepipes, drip irrigation and drag line sprinklers depending on the crops planted and the time of year. All these systems will be used in training workshops for skills development. 5. Pack house and cold storage facilities

It was initially hoped that the Imfudumalo site have a small pack house and cold storage facility which could service the Imfudumalo gardens and be a central drop off and collection point for Impendle farmers. These facilities will need an area for rinsing, sorting and weighing of produce as well as refrigerated storage space for perishables and secure floor storage. It has been recommended in the AT report that passive cooling, in the form of evaporative cooling charcoal fridge units be utilised, considering their low cost, the abundance of water at the site and the low levels of humidity experienced in Impendle. Commercially manufactured units are difficult to come by, and as they are very simple in construction, one can easily manufacture charcoal fridges using locally available materials. It is recommended that approximately R2000 be budgeted for the manufacture of these units.

6. FencingThe Imfudumalo site is already half-secured by a fence but it is suggested that the entirety of the site be secured to prevent animals and thieves from entering the site. This fence needs to be able to keep chickens enclosed . Forming a network within this outer boundary fence will be another fence that will be connected to the hen house and form the chicken/vegetable rotation system.

7. AccessThere is going to be a need for multiple entry points serving different needs. The main access point for vehicles into the Garden B area will be from the dirt road directly above the site. The Impendle Municipality has plans to tar this road in the future. This access point will service the gardens needs when composting and mulching materials are brought in as well as vehicles collecting or delivering produce to the pack shed area. This gate will need to be strong and secure.

Another smaller gate will be needed for access between Garden A and Garden B. This will be for the service of people and wheel barrows. There will also be gates within the chicken rotation system that will facilitate the rotation of chickens into different parts of the gardens. These smaller gates will be constructed with steel frames and covered with chicken mesh ensuring they are secure. 8. Intensive vegetable and herb gardens

The intensive growing beds will be situated within Garden A and Garden B. Garden B is fenced into chicken rotation yards. The chickens will be allowed to spend their daylight hours scratching up bugs and spreading manure through one of the yards for approximately 15-25 days depending on the stocking rate and time of the season. After this period the chickens will be moved into the next rotation yard and planting preparations can begin in the rotation from which they have just been moved. In preparation for planting, the garden beds must be lightly cultivated with the use of a garden fork. Organic compost will then be placed on the beds as well as any bio-inoculants and soil improvers to increase the beneficial organisms of the soil. A mulch of dried leaves or grass cuttings will then be spread over the top of the soil to provide protection for the soil as well as food for the soil organisms. During this process sufficient amounts of water will be placed on the garden beds ensuring adequate soil moisture content before planting.

These beds are now ready for an intensive planting of vegetable or herb seed or seedlings. Once these crops are harvested, the chickens will return back to clean up the leftovers and thus start the cycle over again. This type of system offers a strong line of defense against pests and increases soil health and fertility with less effort than other systems. The garden beds in Garden A will be prepared in much the same way although instead of a fenced rotation system the chickens will be enclosed in small moveable chicken houses. The duration the chickens spend on an area will be shorter than in the rotation system due to a higher stocking rate per square meter.

The shape of the garden beds in both Gardens A & B will be stipulated by the angle of the particular slope so the pathways are always running parallel to the contour lines. This will ensure maximum reduction of run off rain water and possible erosion. Swales will be dug parallel to the contour lines in staggered formation on all the slopes within the gardens, these will increase groundwater absorption and a diversity of plants grown on these swales will deliver a multitude of functions to the site for example greens for chickens, mulch, fruit, insectory plants (plants that either attract beneficial insects or cause a distraction to unwanted pests through scent or colours), legumes and composting materials. A mixed crop rotation system must be used through all these beds making sure the same crops are not planted in the same area after each other which increases potential for pest infestations and diseases. Small short-lived legume trees can be planted sparsely through out these gardens decreasing external inputs of nitrogen.

Possible vegetable, fruit & herb varieties: Spinach, cabbage, beans, salads, potatoes, carrots, peas, turnips, amadumbes, shallot, garlic, onions, imfino, tomatoes, lemons, plums.

9. Medicinal Gardens

Natural remedies are increasing in popularity and the possible benefits for different ailments are many. Ointments made from natural ingredients like bees wax, plant oils, infusions and decoctions work very well for skin problems of different natures. These could be used by the wellness and bought by visitors. Larger markets are easily available if enough stock is produced.

The medicinal plants will predominantly be grown in Garden A. Many of the varieties to be grown are perennial so permanent plantings will cover most of these gardens. Workshops on the preparation of natural healing products will be held at the center. There are possible job creation opportunities that stem from these workshops as well as a reduced need for external medical inputs.

Possible Medicinal plant varieties

Comfrey, Zingiber Officinale, Bulbine Natalensis, Scilla natalensis, Xysmalobium Undulatum, Zantadescia Aethiopica, Acorus Calamus,Agapanthus Africanus, Alepidea Amatymbica, Artemisia Afra, Asclepias Fruticosa, Aster Bakeranus, Centella Asiatica, Cotyledon Orbiculata, Eucomis Autumnalis, Foeniculum Vulgare, Helichrysum Species, Hetromorpha Arborescens, Hypoxis Hemerocallidea, Leonotis LeonurusMentha Longi folia, Pelargonium Luridum, Pellaea Calomelanos, Ruta GraveolensSutherlandia Fruitescens,Typha Capensis, Chamomile, Lavendula, Cymbopogon Citrates, Tropaelum majus,Rosmarinus officinal is, SalviaTanacetum vulgar Thymus, 10. Boundary Plantings

The careful design and planting of the gardens boundaries will increase production and sustainability. Here we deal with systems to break the force of the wind, to confuse the movement of pests through the garden, to host predatory species, prevent movement of animals and people into the garden and increase bio-mass for compost production.

Possible Plant Varieties:

Buddleja Salvifolia, Polygala Virgata, Sutherlandia frutescens, Buddleja glomerata, Buddleja Auriculata, Diospyros austro-africana, Diospyros Lycoides, Grewia flava, Grewia Occidentalis, Hypericum revolutum, Leonotis leonurus, Myrsine Africana, Rhus dentate, Rhus burchellii, Rhus tomentosa,Solanum giganteum, Vetiver grass, Rue , Napier fodder.

11. Swales

Water absorption into the ground is usually achieved through soil conditioning, and by swales. Swales are long, level ditches with the soil from the ditch formed into a mound on the downward side of the swale. Swales can vary greatly in width and depth depending on the steepness of the slope and the amount of rain that falls each season. Swales are intended to store water in the ground. They stop all water flowing over the surface of the land and hold it for a few hours or days allowing it to seep into the ground.

12. Grey water systems

Grey water utilization involves the capture, cooling and distribution of grey water emanating from showers, sinks and basins to planted beds of alkaline-loving plants, where this so-called waste product can be put to good use. The technique thus deals with the rehabilitation of wastewater concurrently. The use of grey water is an integrated component of the permaculture philosophy and will undoubtedly be useful to the centre. It is recommended that approximately R4500 be budgeted for the installation of an appropriately sized grey water management system.Possible plant varieties:

Watercress; madumbe; water chestnuts; comfrey; mints; bulrushes; lilies; bamboo; ficus.

Structure/SystemApproximate Materials CostsApproximate Labour CostsApproximate Total Cost

1. Nursery & HothouseR 10 000.00R 4 000.00R 14 000.00

2. Hen House & chicken tractorsR 10 000.00R 4 500.00R 14 500.00

3. Pack house & Cold storageR 29 000.00R 6 000.00 R 35 000.00

4. Compost SystemR 3000.00R 300.00R 3 300.00

5. Fencing R 26 500.00R 6 500.00R 33 000.00

6. Worm Farm & Liquid CompostR 2000.00R 1 750.00R 3 750.00

7. Intensive Gardens AR 8 500.00R 9 500.00R 18 000.00

8. Intensive Gardens BR13 500.00R 8 000.00R 21 500.00

9. Boundary PlantingsR 6 500.00R 2 500.00R 9 000.00

10. Grey Water systemsR 3 500.00R 2 000.00R 5 500.00

Approximate Sum TotalR112 500.00R45 050.00R157 550.00

Table 1. Permaculture Garden Materials and Implementation Costs

Scope of Field Work

A) Assessment of Natural Resources Accessible to the Site1. Chicken and cattle manure can be bought from local commercial farmers in the area which can be used for compost making.

2. Old hay bales are available sometimes from local commercial farmers compost making

3. There is plenty veldt grass to be harvested in the area compost making

4. Sawdust is available from a local saw mill-compost making

5. Seed and seedlings local extension officer (KZN DAEA)

6. Water tanks and piping, irrigation equipment-KZN DAEAB) Assessment of Climate and Micro-Climate.The climate has a moderately restricted growing season due to low temperatures and severe frost. The winter months can also be very dry .There is a good yield potential for a moderate range of adapted plants. The specific micro-climate of the Imfudumalo site has good sunshine throughout the year and is situated on a gentle North facing slope. Winter winds are generally very cold and can be damaging to crops and livestock but this will be overcome through effective plantings of trees and other plants to provide windbreaks.

C) Slope AnalysisThe site is on a gradual (