Empowerment

The Onverwacht community, with support from Food and Trees for Africa, an international NGO, has opted for a more sustainable solution than RDP housing to improve their lives. Peter Mashala reports.

Rooibos has been grown in Wupperthal in the Western Cape for almost 200 years. Recently, the small industry has become more profitable, thanks to a co-operative formed to gain Fairtrade certification.

Millions of rands are pumped into farmer development projects in the government and private sectors, yet hundreds of these projects fail within their first year. Mandla Nkomo, programme manager for agribusiness and food security for TechnoServe SA, explains to Peter Mashala what makes his company’s projects successful.

Horse racing is widely enjoyed in South Africa and abroad. Before a Thoroughbred is ready for the track, an enormous amount of effort, expertise and specialist skill has gone into the breeding and rearing of the animal. At Summerhill Stud, a unique school is teaching these skills. Lloyd Phillips reports.

Marius Herman from Kraaifontein started farming with pigs six years ago and in a short time has managed to establish a viable small business. Denene Erasmus visited him.

Lawrence and Simphiwe Mtswene’s farm near Nigel is due to benefit from the Recapitalisation and Development Programme, a boost after the couple’s long financial struggle. Peter Mashala reports.

Community non-profit organisation, Letsha la Eleroi, farms on a small scale to provide fresh vegetables to the sick and the elderly. Project chairperson Beauty Tsokunyane tells Peter Mashala how the project progressed from home-based care to a profitable operation.

The ANC’s attempt to justify and even, it seems, encourage dodgy dealings is an affront to Africans.

The Christmas Fair Fund was started in Stanger by a group of young farmers’ wives 60 years ago – and the organisation has brought hope and upliftment to the region ever since. Robyn Joubert visited them.

The closure of many agricultural colleges has left a skills shortage in rural communities. Nutritionist Perseverance Madoda started Thuto-ya-Sechaba training centre to fill the gap. Peter Mashala reports.

A group of subsistence farmers in a remote coastal area of Eastern Cape is turning to lemon grass and essential oil production – and finding a ready market. Robyn Joubert reports.

In an area suffering from poverty and unemployment, Aredirisaneng Agricultural Co-operative in Randfontein is a shining light. This 10-women co-operative, established with funding from First Uranium Ezulwini Mine and receiving expert mentoring, is already exceeding its vegetable production targets. Peter Mashala reports.