In a small town located in the heart of the Overberg region, one man has committed himself to driving his community’s sustainability.
Marshall Rinquest, environmental educator, permaculture teacher director of Greyton Town Transition Town and founder of Valley Food Gardens at the Greyton market every Saturday with his produce. PHOTO: Kara van der Merwe
Marshall Rinquest is well known in the small town of Greyton as the man with the big heart, green fingers and bass guitarist in the local band The Country Conquerors.
With his gentle and humorous nature, Marshall was named as one of the 100 Young Mandelas in 2023 for his work in climate literacy and sustainability.
He also inspires young mind with his Afrikaans reggae band that uses their music as a form of art to encourage social and environmental development.
The seedling
Marshall was born in Cape Town in 1989 but with deep roots in the Greyton area as his Oumas and Oupas, from both his parents sides are from this area.
Marshall’s family relocated to Bosmanskloof just before he started grade one.
“From a young age I have always been involved with conservation,” says Marshall. While volunteering at the Greyton Conservation as a high school student, Marshall’s passion for conservation and sustainability began to take shape and planted the seeds for his future dedication to the environment.
After completing high school in 2007 Marshall moved to Cape Town briefly but soon returned to his hometown. “If you grow up in an area where the mountains are a part of your backyard, living in Cape Town is very difficult,” says Marshall.
“I told myself that if I want to move back home then I need to do something for myself, which is a tall order since there isn’t a lot of job opportunities in a small community,” Marshall says while explaining the constant motivator behind his unbreakable drive.
“Whenever anyone says that they don’t have work I always reply by saying that you have the best gift right in front of you, soil,” says Marshall Rinquest, environmental educator and a permaculture teacher in Greyton. PHOTO: Kara van der Merwe
Marshall continued his environmental work in the community by activities such as nature walks and river clean-ups when The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) spotted his potential to inspire change. WESSA offered him the opportunity to complete his qualifications as an environmental educator and a permaculture teacher.
“That gave me all the tools and background to be able to do what I do every day and filter all my knowledge into the school system,” says Marshall.
He started eco-clubs where he teaches a variety of permaculture and environmental awareness disciplines at all six schools in the area.
“Marshall’s impact on the kids can’t be put into words because a big part of education is to not solely do book work or theory driven learning but to connect with nature and a community,” says Johan Moolman, principle at Greyton House Primary, an independent school in Greyton.
Moolman explains that while Marshall fosters a passion for the environment in his teaching, Greyton connects the kids to a community which ultimately leads to the perfect combination.
“The kids [at Greyton House] are always extremely excited to see Marshall on a Friday when he has his classes with them, which is not common after a long week of schooling,” says Maxine Naidoo, assistant teacher at Greyton House.
Valley Food Gardens is an initiative founded by Marshall Rinquest’s, environmental educator and a permaculture teacher, that aids community members in Voorstekraal, Bereaville, Genadendal and Greyton by providing them with fencing, seedlings, compost and education on how to take care of crops. “We want to inspire people to see the potential in their soil. We also started helping people set up their own businesses by selling some of the produce,” says Marshall. PHOTO: Kara van der Merwe
One for one mentality
“I can remember from when I was very little, the Oupas and Oumas in the community would come together one day with their patats and other things and just exchange them. I loved that,” says Marshall.
In 2012, when Marshall was 22 years old he played a central role in establishing the community-based organisation Greyton Transition Town, he explains. Transition Town is a global initiative aimed to empower communities to live sustainably, says Marshall. There is an estimate of 4000 towns involved in the global initiative however, Greyton is the only South African town, he says.
“The initiative focuses on how small towns can work towards sustaining themselves, providing better food security for the community members and manage waste effectively,” explains Marshall.
“That is what a community is all about. It’s not about money, it’s about culture,” says Marshall.
Marshall’s influence extended far beyond the Greyton Transition Town movement.
In 2016, at the age of 26, Marshall received the Eco-Young award, presented at the Eco-Logic awards, for his work as director of Greyton Transition Town and was nominated as an United Nations-sponsored ambassador for sustainable communities, says Marshall.
Valley Food Gardens
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the globe, Greyton, like numerous other communities, was not immune to its economic consequences.
Greyton is primarily a hospitality town with an abundance of restaurants and accommodation to create the perfect escape for non Greytonians to enjoy the country side away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
When lockdown hit, the community members of Greyton suffered the most as restaurants closed their doors and the once sought after weekend getaway turned into a ghost town, Marshall explained.
“That is why I started Valley Food Gardens,” says Marshall.
Leaving behind a sustainable environment for his children and their children is Marshall Rinquest’s, environmental educator and a permaculture teacher, biggest motivator. Pictured above is Rinquest’s three children looking towards unique agriculture of their hometown, Greyton. PHOTO: Supplied/Marshall Rinquest
Valley Food Gardens aided community members in Voorstekraal, Bereaville, Genadendal and Greyton by providing them with fencing, seedlings, compost and education on how to take care of crops.
The project not only reduced economic stress, but it also relied on the region’s land, water, and traditional gardening skills passed down through generations.
“We want to inspire people to see the potential in their soil. We also started helping people set up their own businesses by selling some of the produce,” says Marshall.
“Whenever anyone says that they don’t have work I always reply by saying that you have the best gift right in front of you, soil,” says Marshall.
The initiative was a great success, with over 100 people involved to date and now they are working with these communities to start utilising bigger areas, according to Marshall.
Bright futures
Marshall is far from done when it comes to transitioning the community. The Pigs to Plants initiative is his new innovative. It explored the transformation from pig farming to vegetable farming, providing sustainable, locally sourced food and reducing the carbon footprint of conventional animal agriculture.
Marshall’s fight for sustainability serves as a reminder that change begins at home. “He is an incredible person not only growing plants but growing future leaders of our society,” says Moolman.