TotalEnergies has expanded its commitment to food security and environmental education in the West Coast by supporting three Saldanha Bay schools with fully established sustainable food gardens. Diazville Primary School, Masiphathisane Primary School and Steenberg’s Cove Primary School are the latest beneficiaries of the company’s long-term social investment in community wellbeing.
The handover event, hosted at Diazville Primary School, brought together school leadership, learners, the Department of Education and community partners to celebrate the creation of the new gardens. The initiative equips each school with garden infrastructure, tools, seedlings and hands-on training to ensure they can grow and maintain their own fresh produce throughout the year.
As part of TotalEnergies’ Corporate Social Investment programme, the food gardens are designed to address immediate nutritional needs while also offering long-term educational value. Learners are introduced to basic agriculture, water-wise gardening and sustainable environmental practices, turning the gardens into outdoor classrooms that promote curiosity and practical learning.
According to Baxolile Msomi, Communications and CSI Manager for TotalEnergies E&P South Africa, the project supports both education and community resilience. Msomi explained that the gardens are intended to empower young people with skills while helping families become more food secure. She said the company is proud to work alongside schools and partners to develop meaningful, lasting solutions that benefit the wider community.
School principals expressed strong enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its impact on both learning and local wellbeing. Lee-Ann Davids-Hartzenberg, Principal of Diazville Primary School, said the initiative provides learners with valuable life skills and boosts environmental awareness. She noted that the gardens represent hope and opportunity for the school, and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the space so it continues to benefit learners for many years.
The handover concluded with a tour of the newly established gardens and a symbolic tree planting session, reinforcing a shared commitment to nurturing the project into a long-term asset for the community.
