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Roots of Resilience: A Qualitative Exploration of Youth Driven Community Food Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa

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Title: Roots of Resilience: A Qualitative Exploration of Youth Driven Community Food Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa
Language: English
Authors: Tinashe P. Kanosvamhira (ORCID 0000-0002-6745-1151)
Source: Qualitative Research Journal. 2026 26(2):261-274.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Urban Areas, Gardening, Low Income Groups, Youth Programs, Participation, Agriculture, Food, Skill Development, Community Programs
Geographic Terms: South Africa
DOI: 10.1108/QRJ-05-2024-0108
ISSN: 1443-9883
1448-0980
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamics of youth engagement in urban agriculture, particularly through youth gardens in distressed neighbourhoods of Cape Town. This examination is crucial due to the limited involvement of youth in urban agriculture, which poses a threat to the sustainability of these practices despite their recognised contributions to urban development. Design/methodology/approach: The research employs a qualitative methodology to explore the motivations, challenges and experiences of young urban farmers. Semi-structured interviews with youth participants from selected urban community gardens, complemented by virtual ethnography, form the core of the data collection process. This approach provides an in-depth understanding of the factors influencing youth participation in urban farming. Findings: The study reveals that youth engagement in urban agriculture is motivated by various factors, including entrepreneurial aspirations, environmental justice activism, and a dedication to food justice. These findings suggest that for urban agriculture initiatives to be effective in such settings, they must acknowledge and address the specific motivations and contextual challenges faced by young people. Research limitations/implications: The study's findings are context-specific to the distressed neighbourhoods of Cape Town, which may limit their generalisability to other urban settings. Future research could expand the scope to include a comparative analysis with other cities. Practical implications: The insights gained from this study can inform the design of urban agriculture initiatives that better engage youth, thereby fostering community development and sustainable urban practices. Originality/value: This research offers novel insights into the underexplored area of youth engagement in urban agriculture within distressed urban environments. By focusing on the voices and experiences of young urban farmers in Cape Town, the study contributes to the development of targeted policies and programmes that aim to promote inclusive and sustainable urban agriculture practices, particularly by enhancing youth involvement.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507717
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Roots of Resilience: A Qualitative Exploration of Youth Driven Community Food Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tinashe+P%2E+Kanosvamhira%22">Tinashe P. Kanosvamhira</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6745-1151">0000-0002-6745-1151</externalLink>)
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Urban+Areas%22">Urban Areas</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gardening%22">Gardening</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Low+Income+Groups%22">Low Income Groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Youth+Programs%22">Youth Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Participation%22">Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Agriculture%22">Agriculture</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Food%22">Food</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Community+Programs%22">Community Programs</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22South+Africa%22">South Africa</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1108/QRJ-05-2024-0108
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  Data: 1443-9883<br />1448-0980
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamics of youth engagement in urban agriculture, particularly through youth gardens in distressed neighbourhoods of Cape Town. This examination is crucial due to the limited involvement of youth in urban agriculture, which poses a threat to the sustainability of these practices despite their recognised contributions to urban development. Design/methodology/approach: The research employs a qualitative methodology to explore the motivations, challenges and experiences of young urban farmers. Semi-structured interviews with youth participants from selected urban community gardens, complemented by virtual ethnography, form the core of the data collection process. This approach provides an in-depth understanding of the factors influencing youth participation in urban farming. Findings: The study reveals that youth engagement in urban agriculture is motivated by various factors, including entrepreneurial aspirations, environmental justice activism, and a dedication to food justice. These findings suggest that for urban agriculture initiatives to be effective in such settings, they must acknowledge and address the specific motivations and contextual challenges faced by young people. Research limitations/implications: The study's findings are context-specific to the distressed neighbourhoods of Cape Town, which may limit their generalisability to other urban settings. Future research could expand the scope to include a comparative analysis with other cities. Practical implications: The insights gained from this study can inform the design of urban agriculture initiatives that better engage youth, thereby fostering community development and sustainable urban practices. Originality/value: This research offers novel insights into the underexplored area of youth engagement in urban agriculture within distressed urban environments. By focusing on the voices and experiences of young urban farmers in Cape Town, the study contributes to the development of targeted policies and programmes that aim to promote inclusive and sustainable urban agriculture practices, particularly by enhancing youth involvement.
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Urban Areas
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Gardening
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Low Income Groups
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      – SubjectFull: Youth Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Participation
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      – SubjectFull: Agriculture
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      – SubjectFull: Food
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      – SubjectFull: Skill Development
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      – SubjectFull: Community Programs
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      – SubjectFull: South Africa
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      – TitleFull: Roots of Resilience: A Qualitative Exploration of Youth Driven Community Food Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa
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