​Lerato Sedulawesi
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Its early morning on a sunny but chilly weekday in September. Young women are tending to their vegetable garden. Some are watering, others are weeding the plants. 
The veggie patch has various essential foods, spinach, cabbage and carrots amongst others. But these are not farm labourers, but Sebokeng Hospital's HIV/AIDS clinic patients.  
This initiative came about after hospital's dieticians Cebo Zwane and Pollen Ravele, and HIV/AIDS, and STD Clinic (Reamohetse) identified the need for a vegetable garden for those who default because of lack of food.
This project also serves as a support group for Reamohetse patients where they can share their experiences and challenges. 
Zwane said the goal of the project was to reduce the high rate of defaulters and to ensure that patients can also grow their own vegetables back at home so that they can be able to have something to eat and take their medication all the time.
"We had no previous experience in gardening or agriculture when the project started, however, that did not discourage us. With the mentorship of the Department of Agriculture, we were able to start after they provided us with seeds and fertilizers. We now have organic fresh produce for our patients," said Zwane beaming with pride.
Zwane added that the Department of Agriculture also assisted in teaching and equipping the group with methods on how to grow fresh, organic produce and cultivate their gardens. 
One of the beneficiaries of the initiative, Chapel Maleka said they were proud of their efforts. 
"We were faced with challenges along the way and we had to be very resourceful in terms of where we got our materials from, but it all worked out. I had never gardened before, but it was a great experience said, Maleka".