From struggle to strength: Ntobeko’s training for a safer future

Ntobeko Mafu, a poultry and crop farmer from KwaZulu-Natal, passionately committed to empowering aspiring farmers through comprehensive training sessions on broiler and organic crop production. In this podcast episode, we discuss some success stories in her training programme and food safety.

Mafu’s journey in farming is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. Growing up in a household affected by gender-based violence (GBV), she witnessed her father’s abusive behaviour towards her mother and other women who played motherly roles in her life.

“I started the business out of necessity. I noticed that many households around me were experiencing similar challenges, and that’s why I want to help people learn to grow their own food through these training sessions,” she explains.

New opportunities arise

Recently Mafu held a training event that marked a significant milestone in her efforts to extend her reach beyond her hometown of Pietermaritzburg. This event was a collaborative effort with one of her mentees, which highlighted the importance of partnership in her work.

“One of the key takeaways from this event was the power of collaboration. Working with my mentee and being supported by the local community in Pinetown was incredibly rewarding. It opened up new opportunities, including conducting future training sessions for local churches.”

Mafu emphasises the importance of incorporating food safety practices in farming operations.

She offers advice to small-scale farmers, “Follow the right biosecurity measures. Ensure you have biosecurity signage and adhere to all the protocols you’ve been trained on. If you’re not familiar with these practices, consider taking a course, either in-person or online, to get up to speed on the necessary biosecurity measures.”