A youth-owned farming enterprise in Limpopo is on the up and up, in part thanks to the support of a local private-sector sponsor.
Botalatemong Crop Farmers in Bochum, which produces spinach, butternuts, watermelons, tomatoes and other produce for local stores and markets, is a beneficiary of Soutpan Solar Power’s Enterprise Development programme and has increased production and provided more local jobs thanks to the added business and financial support of the past two years.
The development programme is run in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Venetia Mine, the Limpopo department of economic development, environment and tourism, the department of rural development, and the Capricorn district municipality.
Soutpan Solar Power believes the high levels of unemployed amongst the youth in the Bochum area require a formal approach that includes ongoing support, and sees Botalatemong as a perfect example of how business support can boost young people’s career opportunities as well as food security in rural areas.
It has given the farm money for fencing, as well as a solar-powered water pump to replace the generator-run pump and to eliminate operational fuel costs.
Youth development with private-sector support
Botalatemong is one of the various youth entities to benefit from training, sponsored material and equipment, mentorship, and other business support such as help with compliance and registration from Soutpan Solar Power. “Youth should be supported and encouraged to seriously consider agriculture as a career, which is one of the reasons why this farming SMME is one of the businesses that we are assisting,” says Harrisinah Theka, economic development specialist for the company.
Marupeng Phillimon Rasekgal, the owner of the farm, himself believes that the support from the programme has made a huge difference in his farming career, most importantly the mentoring and support from Afrivillage (Soutpan Solar Power’s implementation agent), who are helping to expose the business to new opportunities.
“We are working towards becoming commercial farmers and hope to grow potato crops, as we are in fact situated in what is known as the ‘potato belt’,” he said in a press statement a few days ago.
“I am not yet there, but there has been progress and that on its own motivates me.”
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