ABSTRACT Urban agriculture is an integral aspect of the urban food system in African cities. This is particularly so in Cape Town where despite frequent droughts and harsh physical conditions the activity has thrived largely as a result of the available organisational and material support to urban gardeners. While several supporting actors (e.g. government institutions and non-governmental organisations) provide various forms of assistance to urban gardeners in the Cape Flats, access to this support is little known. Moreover, there is limited knowledge on the level of coordination of activities among supporting actors in facilitating urban agriculture initiatives in the city. This study examines the linkages between urban gardeners and supporting actors in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town. It is based on a mixed methods approach that employs questionnaire and in-depth interviews to gather information from urban gardeners and supporting officials. The findings show that the nature and strength of the linkages between urban gardeners and supporting actors are critical in determining urban gardening success. The findings also show that there is minimal cooperation among non-state actors operating in Mitchells Plain. Since the success of urban gardeners hinges on external support, there is a need for increased collaboration and partnership among supporting actors.

中文翻译：

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开普敦米切尔平原的都市农业：研究都市园丁与支持者之间的联系

摘要 城市农业是非洲城市城市粮食系统的一个组成部分。在开普敦尤其如此，尽管经常发生干旱和恶劣的物理条件，但由于对城市园丁的可用组织和物质支持，该活动仍然蓬勃发展。虽然有几个支持者（例如政府机构和非政府组织）向 Cape Flats 的城市园丁提供各种形式的援助，但获得这种支持的途径鲜为人知。此外，对于支持行动者在促进城市都市农业举措方面的活动协调水平，了解有限。本研究考察了开普敦米切尔平原的城市园丁和配角之间的联系。它基于混合方法，采用问卷调查和深度访谈从城市园丁和支持官员那里收集信息。研究结果表明，城市园丁和支持者之间联系的性质和强度对于决定城市园艺的成功至关重要。调查结果还表明，在米切尔平原开展业务的非国家行为者之间的合作极少。由于城市园丁的成功取决于外部支持，因此需要加强支持者之间的合作和伙伴关系。调查结果还表明，在米切尔平原开展业务的非国家行为者之间的合作极少。由于城市园丁的成功取决于外部支持，因此需要加强支持者之间的合作和伙伴关系。调查结果还表明，在米切尔平原开展业务的非国家行为者之间的合作极少。由于城市园丁的成功取决于外部支持，因此需要加强支持者之间的合作和伙伴关系。