Johannesburg, South Africa – May 15, 2023 – On the occasion of the United Nations-designated
International Day of Plant Health (IDPH), Omnia has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable agriculture
and community development through a collaborative training event between Reel Gardening and the
Zamdela Food Gardens, an Omnia-sponsored community project.
The event, which took place in Sasolburg on Friday, aimed to educate community members on plant health and care, raising awareness of the essential role plants play in addressing global issues such as hunger, poverty, biodiversity, and economic development.
Reel Gardening, an innovative company specializing in pre-fertilized, biodegradable seed tapes, facilitated
the training session. These seed tapes allow for easy planting, efficient water consumption, and promote
healthy plant growth.
“At Omnia, we’re committed to fostering sustainable development and empowering communities. The
International Day of Plant Health event, in partnership with Reel Life, the non-profit leg of Reel Gardening,
and Zamdela Food Gardens, is a testament to that commitment. We’re proud to see the positive impact
our support has had on the community, and we will continue to champion initiatives that promote a
greener, more prosperous future for all,” said Ditebogo Malatsi, senior Operations Manager at Omnia.
Omnia has shown its commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and community development with an initial sponsorship of R1.5 million to the Great North Business Incubator (GNBI), which established the Zamdela Food Gardens project. This partnership has resulted in the training and development of 10
community gardens, providing employment to 120 people, 58% of whom are women. Beneficiaries of this
initiative also receive business and marketing training, as well as access to market opportunities.
As part of the project, the Zamdela Community Food Project’s Omnia Grant Programme (ZCFPOGP),
established in 2022, seeks to address food insecurity by fostering community self-sufficiency and
promoting innovative agricultural practices. The programme has had a significant impact on the
community, distributing over 5000 kilograms of local, healthy food to more than 5000 people in 2022,
increasing the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in low-income neighborhoods. Over 5000 children
and youth have also benefited from farm-to-cafeteria programmes as a result of the Omnia-GNBI Zamdela Food Gardens project.
Victoria Riet, a benefactor of the Zamdela Food Gardens, shared her experience: “The training session
with Reel Gardening was very informative. We gained a lot of knowledge on plant health and care, which
will help us to grow healthier, more sustainable crops. The Zamdela Food Gardens project is truly making
a difference in our community, and we are grateful for Omnia’s support.”
With Omnia’s support, GNBI has successfully implemented various programmes such as community
gardens, agro-processing ventures, food innovation hubs, educational workshops, and farm-share
initiatives. In 2022 alone, 70 farmers received training in sustainable agriculture and business
management, resulting in the creation of hundreds of jobs and micro-businesses.
The collaboration between Reel Gardening and Zamdela Food Gardens highlights Omnia’s ongoing
commitment to fostering a more sustainable, self-sufficient, and healthy future for communities in South
Africa.
“We’re driven by our mission to uplift communities across South Africa by embracing sustainable practices and fostering self-reliance. By collaborating with innovative partners like Reel Gardening and Zamdela Food Gardens, we are able to create positive change and help communities thrive. Our commitment to this vision is unwavering, and we are excited to continue making a difference through future initiatives, said Malatsi.
About Omnia
Omnia, established nearly 70 years ago, is based in South Africa, and is listed on the Johannesburg Stock
Exchange. Omnia operates in 25 countries and is expanding its presence across SADC, North America,
Canada, Brazil, and Australasia. Internationally recognised for its innovative research and development,
and leading supply chain and manufacturing capabilities, which set Omnia apart in delivering specialised
solutions to its customer. Omnia’s solutions and leading-edge technologies are offered to clients in the
agriculture, mining, water, consumer care, food and pharmaceutical, coatings and manufacturing sectors.
Omnia is a purpose driven business – innovating to enhance life, together creating a greener future. Omnia operates in primary sectors and has a significant impact on food, water and mineral security. Omnia sustains livelihoods by creating employment and opportunities for growth, applying technology for efficient use of natural resources and cares deeply about the future of our planet – always acting in a
sustainable manner
