The passive hydroponic system in use in Durban is designed to grow high-density crops without electricity while using significantly less water than traditional farming methods.

• A Durban man has created a hydroponic system that is accessible and low-cost for urban communities.
• The 20-year-old believes the system achieves 10 times higher productivity than traditional farming with 100 plants per square metre, using 90% less water.
• Patent-protected technology aims to provide fresh, affordable food while creating local jobs and educational opportunities.

A 20-year-old innovator from Umbilo in Durban has developed a low-cost hydroponic farming system that can address food insecurity in urban areas while reducing water and energy use.

Jude Bezuidenhout, a self-taught inventor, has created what he describes as an ultra-high-density passive hydroponic system, meaning it can grow fresh produce packed closely together using only water and nutrients – without soil, electricity, or expensive infrastructure.

“I’m passionate about using technology and creative thinking to solve real-world problems. I’ve developed an ultra-high-density passive hydroponic system designed to make fresh food accessible and affordable for everyone, regardless of their space or budget,” Bezuidenhout said.

Unlike traditional farming that relies on land, soil, and irrigation systems, his model operates without pumps or power. Plants grow in a nutrient-rich water solution, a method known as hydroponics, using a system designed for maximum space and efficiency.

Bezuidenhout said:

He claimed the design could support up to 100 plants per square metre, significantly increasing productivity compared to conventional farming methods.

“It can grow up to 100 plants in just one square metre, which is about 10 times more productive than traditional soil farming, while using 90% less water.”

Bezuidenhout said the idea was driven by rising living costs and growing food insecurity in urban areas like Durban.

He moved from concept to a working prototype in less than a year, relying largely on self-taught skills and support from local organisations.

“Being self-taught allowed me to approach the problem without being tied to the way things have always been done. Support from organisations like WeFeedSA and the Bulwer and Glenwood Ratepayers Association helped me find a space to turn my designs into a physical reality.”

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His prototype is currently based at the Berea Bowling Club, where he has begun testing the system with various crops.

“The results from my prototype have been a major milestone. I’ve already successfully grown and harvested spring onions, and the system is designed to support a variety of crops like lettuce, cabbage, and spinach,” Bezuidenhout said.

At present, the prototype supports 45 plants during an initial proof-of-concept phase.

“I am now moving from the prototype stage to full-scale production. My next goal is to scale the current design to its full 100-plant capacity and find partners to help bring it to urban communities across Durban and hopefully to the rest of South Africa,” he said.

In February, Bezuidenhout reached a key milestone when his provisional patent was processed, providing legal protection for his invention as development continues.

Beyond productivity and cost savings, he said he believed the system could have broader social and environmental benefits, particularly in densely populated areas.

Bezuidenhout added that he saw the system as an educational tool that could be implemented in schools and community centres.

“In a school or community centre, the system acts as a living laboratory where people can learn about biology, engineering and sustainability. It becomes a hub where neighbours can share knowledge and empower themselves to be self-sufficient.”

He said access to reliable food sources could also provide communities facing economic pressure with a sense of stability.

“Food insecurity often comes with a sense of anxiety. By having a reliable, high-yield food source right in the neighbourhood, we provide a physical and emotional sense of security.”

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As he looks to expand the project, Bezuidenhout actively encourages interested organisations, municipalities, and farmers to connect and partner in scaling the system for broader impact.

He is proposing project-based collaborations in which organisations can fund the development of hydroponic farms or the integration of the system into existing agricultural operations.

“Organisations can fund the construction of these farms, and I provide the technology and setup. Existing farmers can also invest in installing the system on their property to modernise,” Bezuidenhout said.

He added that he believed the model offered immediate benefits to potential partners, including lower operating costs and increased productivity.

For Bezuidenhout, the goal is not only to grow a business but to ensure the technology remains accessible to those who need it most.

“I’m looking for people who want to fund solutions, not just buy into a company. I want to keep the invention in my hands so I can continue to innovate and ensure it stays accessible to the communities that need it most,” he said.