Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF) has completed its fifth annual organic farming certification.
Members of the Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS), including farmers from Hout Bay, Brackenfell, Mitchell’s Plain and Philippi, gathered as peers to ask questions, discuss, mentor and share best practices on Wednesday May 13.
Farm manager Melanie Stewart led a walk around the farm, a third of which has a dedicated allotment section.
The allotments are rented by community members to grow their own food organically.
Two of the allotments are used by local schools for food-growing education programmes, while the remainder of the farm operates as a market garden supplying local residents through a WhatsApp ordering group.
"To make sure we are organically compliant, for them to see how things are done," she said.
The rest of the farm operates as a market garden
She explained that certification was important to give people peace of mind to know that "we have been checked".
"Organic certification goes far beyond simply avoiding herbicides and pesticides. It includes careful consideration of seed sourcing, soil health, biodiversity, ecological stewardship, and how we work wih natural systems and on farm resources to build a resilient and sustainable growing environment," she said.
PGS facilitator Shireen Pijoos said that the visit was more than just a walk through lush vegetable beds; it was an inspiring glimpse into a thriving community-focused food system right in the heart of Cape Town.
"It shows the immense potential of localised, organic farming and circular economy principles," she said.
The discussion highlighted the importance of initiatives like the PGS certification, not just as a promise of clean, chemical-free produce, but as a mechanism to challenge the narrative that organic food is only for the privileged.
"It's the assurance to a consumer that as a farmer you are farming, not using chemicals, etc., thus producing clean and organically grown fresh produce; as well as a circular economy and a short supply chain within local communities.
"It is peer-driven, encouraging a network of like-minded people who want to impact food systems positively, to say and be educated on the food they consume.
"Most importantly, to change the narrative - organically grown fresh produce is for a selected group or consumer; that it is expensive; and that it is not easily accessible in certain geographical areas, especially in the lower living standards measure (LSM).
"To make healthy, organically grown food accessible and affordable within local communities, especially in lower income areas," said Pijoos.
Stewart explained that the farm incorporates donated wood chips - a "brown" resource - and kitchen waste collected via a community bokashi system - the "high nitrogen" or "green" component - to create a nutrient-rich fast compost in just 21 days.
During the visit, Oranjezicht residents brought recycled goods and their bokashi bins, an anaerobic, indoor-friendly composting method that uses specialized microbial bran to ferment kitchen scraps in a sealed bin.
The commitment to sustainability extends to water use, with a mixed system using both captured stormwater and municipal supply for irrigation.
Ginny Sassen, a lime farmer from Hout Bay, said that the visit reinforced the value of OZCF as a hub for education, biodiversity, and community connection.
"I'm here to support the PGS, and Mel, and just check on what she is growing and support her," she said.
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