By Maphari Machaka
MEC responsible for the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) Thabo Mokone was impressed with the farming initiatives employed that created much-needed job opportunities at Ramahwidi Farming.
During his visit on 18 August 2023, MEC found the project in full swing with fresh quality agricultural produce such as cabbage and spinach ford hook giant, that was ready for market. Various produce in this farm are sold to several well-established retailers in Polokwane.
In response to the development, MEC said initiatives like those found at the project gave him a great joy and a sense of pride. “I see my people do a lot of initiatives and as a person it gives me great joy because as I go around the province, I see that the LDARD is doing well, they are a lot of initiatives and people are being farming.
“One of the things that the apartheid has done to us is to make us to think that we are useless, then that is why we see a lot of people complaining that they don’t have jobs and they are poor. Our people should start learning how to farm because there is money in farming and there is a lot of initiatives we can do,” commented the MEC.
The female-owned project, in the name of Sewela Thosago, is located at portion 152 (59) of Kalkfontein, Mamahule park in Dalmada outside Polokwane. It was established in 2013 on 9.2 hectors (ha).
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LDARD has been supporting Ramahwidi project in a form of production inputs. The project has employed eight permanent workers and further deployed workers through Employee Public Works Programme (EPWP) programme to assist especially during seasonal time.
The project further placed four unemployed graduates from Tompi Seleka College of Agriculture and additional students from University of Cape Peninsula, University of South Africa, College of Africa for experiential learning.
Ramahwidi’s hard work has never gone unnoticed. It was once the finalist in the category of Top Producer for Smallholder during Female Farmer of the Year Awards at both Municipality and District levels.
The project contributes positively to upliftment to community projects. It donates produce continuously to community drop-in centres including Re Kgona (Turfloop), Itumeleng (Makanye) and Tlhatlaganya.
MEC appreciated the services rendered by agricultural advisories citing that, “that is why I keep telling people that wherever I work, I am saying is a titanic ship, we die together, we perform together”.
Accordingly, Mampuru Thosago, a director at Ramahwidi, said for expansion purposes, the project requires construction of new technology such as vertical growing houses and tunnels; installation of solar panels and gel batteries; harvest shed and processing facilities; and construction of shade nets. This will create more jobs.
