Limba Mupetami

Kavetja Ngaizuvare

In the informal settlements of Windhoek, where clean water and food access are limited, the Kambashu Institute is making a difference by helping residents grow their own food using grey water. 

The institute is funded by a private German foundation through the World Future Council, and is located at the Katutura Youth Enterprise Centre in Wanaheda.

At the centre, participants join a “food circle”, a simple, sustainable gardening system where they learn to grow cabbage, spinach, carrots and coriander. The facility also includes a kitchen, where participants can enjoy meals while receiving hands-on lessons on food cultivation.

The project focuses on teaching participants how to use lightly-used water, such as water from washing vegetables or bathing, to irrigate their crops. This grey water is poured into a compost pit, where it is naturally filtered for use in the gardens. The aim is to maximise limited water resources to grow food that can either be used in participants’ households, or sold to generate income.

The director of the Kambashu Institute, Ina Wilkie, said  the programme includes a two-day training course. On the first day, participants learn about soil, sunlight and water management. 

On the second day, they build a food circle at their homes. Once they complete the training, participants are provided with compost, seeds, food and transport money. However,
only those who maintain their gardens are eligible to continue their education.

To date, more than 200 food circles have been established in Windhoek’s informal settlements. Successful participants advance to more specialised courses, learning about plant care, pest management and sustainable growing methods. These dedicated learners then join the “Star Club”, a growing network of community-based food growers.

The institute is also experimenting with different fruit trees such as mulberry, guava and peach, to identify which varieties thrive best in Namibia’s climate. Additionally, they are testing ventilated pit toilets, with dry waste instead of composting it, to better manage sanitation. This innovative project is set to continue well beyond 2025, with plans for expansion. The institute’s programmes are exclusively open to residents of informal settlements.

One of the participants, Auguste Kankono, who lives in Goreangab, said the project has helped her greatly. 

“I grow my own crops for my house, and I also sell them, and that’s how I make a living. Now, I also train others on how to grow their own food,” she said.