Every morning, Pastor Muziwanele Ncube unlocks a small, cabin-like structure in Pumula North, Bulawayo. Inside, the air is cool and damp, carrying the earthy scent of fresh soil. Rows of plastic bags hang from the ceiling, filled with organic waste, and delicate white oyster mushrooms sprout like tiny corals.
For the 36-year-old pastor and community leader, this small space is more than a farm. It is a classroom, a workplace, and a lifeline for young people seeking opportunities in a city where jobs are scarce.
"We started mushroom farming in November last year. We chose mushrooms because they are affordable and do not need a lot of money to start. But more importantly, we wanted to involve young people who were not doing anything productive. In a community where jobs are scarce, this helps us create our own opportunities," he says.
Pastor Ncube's co-operative, Deep Plough Agriculture Co-operative Society Limited, now has 65 members, including young men and women. Together, they form part of a growing movement in Bulawayo where youth are using simple science and innovation to adapt to climate change while creating jobs.
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