At Lethabo we have taken a 10 step, comprehensive approach to maintain and sustain our precious Reserve environment. We have integrated various practices in our vegetable agriculture for the lodge kitchen, waste management, and ecological restoration and preservation.

1. We practice Circular Economy thinking:
   
   This is a system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials, food and products as a means of continuing production in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way. We do this using the following methods:

• Bokashi: A method of composting organic waste.  Bokashi is an anaerobic process used for  the really gooey , disgusting stuff from the kitchen like fats, grease, old meats, poultry, fish, cheeses and other putrid stuff. We achieve this by using beneficial microorganisms infused in activated bran. It’s a great way to recycle kitchen scraps and other organic materials.

TO MAKE YOUR OWN EM’S, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS SIMPLE RECIPE HERE:

10 x level tablespoons liquid molasses

10 x level tablespoons compost starter

Mix in 5 litre bottle and fill with warm water

•  Horse & Cow Manure: A valuable source of organic matter and nutrients for soil when composted properly in our four, large rotated piles of compost.

2. Land Management:
   

•  Nguni Cow Grazing: At Lethabo we have a small herd of pure bred African Nguni Cattle.  They all have names derived from our indigenous Nguni languages, Zulu, Seswathi and Xhosa.  Gugu (Precious), Lungi (from Kulungile meaning fine…and Lungi really is a fine chap!)  etc… These beautiful indigenous cattle manage grass height which contributes to biodiversity conservation as it invites the gazelle, who  prefer shorter grass in which predators can’t hide,  to graze there and deposit their droppings, fertilizing the soil.   Our cow herder ensures a method of very light grazing so that the cows do not compete with the game for food.  This supports the endangered egoli granite grass and provides a livihood!

3. Organic Gardening:

• Our Certified Organic Vegetable Garden: obviates the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, promoting natural, balanced soil health and producing healthier food. We use raised beds, as by so doing, we do not disturb the organisms and fungi feeding and regenerating healthy soil systems in the garden. We feed the soil with our rich, natural organic compost, letting Mother Nature do what she does better than any of us!
• Companion Planting: Enhances biodiversity, controls pests naturally by balancing the environment and soil, and improves crop yields. Simple tip…..if you have a snail problem, crush egg shells and place them around your vulnerable plants to protect them.

4. Waste Management:

• Use of Brown Paper Bags: Reducing plastic usage and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives.
• Recycling Waste: Promoting a recycling system helps minimize the environmental impact of waste so we seperate everything,  recycling what we can back into our infrastructure and sending  waste we cant reuse to “Picker’s” who earn money from cardbox boxes from our deliveries, glass, cans etc.

5. Water Conservation:

• Use of Grey Water: Reusing water for decorative flowers and our herbs which are planted Guerilla Style to benefit humans, bees and other insects whilst conserving water resources.