Established in 2000 by Rev. T.Z. Motaung, the Carroll Shaw Memorial Centre in Braamvlei, Randfontein acts as a halfway house for men who have survived human trafficking and violent crime. The centre also assists the perpetrators of abuse, and is named after an American missionary, who greatly influenced the founder.

Moses Mlotywa (62) has been cultivating the centre’s five-hectare vegetable garden for eight years. He was referred to the centre by a concerned social worker in 2010 when he became abusive toward his family.

- Moses Mlotywa, Carroll Shaw Memorial Centre Supervisor

His commitment to becoming a better man motivated the centre’s director, Oupa Bila, to hire him as a supervisor.

The aim with the garden was to provide fresh vegetables to the 150 people living on the 67-hectare farm, which houses the centre. Spinach, cabbage and potatoes are among the vegetables grown there.

When Shoprite came on board in May 2018, garden productivity was given a significant boost. Soon it expanded its operations to include an additional five hectares.

- Oupa Bila, Carroll Shaw Memorial Centre Director

The Shoprite Group and our implementation partner, Food and Trees for Africa, further assisted the Carroll Shaw Memorial Centre by repairing critical infrastructure such as the garden’s borehole and irrigation system and installing a new diesel pump. The 13 workers tending the garden receive ongoing mentorship and training in permaculture gardening techniques. To help them achieve their goals, they were also supplied with seedlings, compost and gardening tools.

- Oupa Bila