The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development MEC, Mrs. Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, urged interfaith organizations to motivate their followers to implement the "one home, one garden" concept in their backyards to address food insecurity. On Sunday 05^th April 2026 addressing hundreds of members of the uMfula sub-district of the eNhlanganweni Evangelical Church in Jozini during the culmination of Easter festivities, she stressed the importance of agriculture in supporting people's livelihoods. The department, through its six research stations across the province, produces 10 million seedlings offered to the churches, schools and hospitals as part of the 'One Institution One Garden' initiative.

"Participate in farming activities. Given that the majority of land in the uMkhanyakude area is fertile and serves as the province's breadbasket, we urge you to use this land for agricultural purposes and to your advantage. We urge you to encourage your children to pursue Agriculture as a preferred field of study at institutions of higher learning, rather than as a last resort. Schools in basic education should refrain from assigning agricultural tasks as punishment for learners."

MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa revealed to the congregation the department’s empowerment programmes. "We have dedicated to prioritising youths, women, and people with disabilities. The church can play an important role in promoting the gospel of addressing food insecurity through self-help and self-reliance by using our abundant land productively," she added.