• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Lifestyle
Lesego Morapeli is a laboratory technician who started rabbit farming in 2018 after attending trainings.

How to crack it in rabbit farming like Lesego

1st Jun 2021
This week on the Farmer’s Inside Track Weekend Edition, we take a closer look at the Master Plan for the Commercial Forestry Sector in South Africa. We’re joined by the executive director of Forestry South Africa, Michael Peter paints an intriguing picture.Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

SA forestry: Dynamite on a small patch of land

3rd Jul 2022
The war on plant-based foods has erupted in South Africa. Photo: LikeMeat/Unsplash

War on veggie meat names ‘to protect consumers’

2nd Jul 2022
What to look for when formulating dairy cow rations

What to look for when formulating dairy cow rations

1st Jul 2022
Leave your comfort zone and make money, says foodie

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

1st Jul 2022
Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

1st Jul 2022
Experts have warned farmers to prepare for another steep fuel price increase this month. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

1st Jul 2022
Parts of the Western Cape, such as the Central Karoo, are still experiencing drought. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

1st Jul 2022
Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

30th Jun 2022
Research has revealed that less than three in 10 farmers in the upper parts of Africa use technology. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Technology not a priority for Africa’s smallholder farmers

30th Jun 2022
The Mamahlola Communal Property Association was among the first to be established in 2000, but due to underinvestment, their land soon turned into a symbol of government’s land restoration failure. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

The poverty-fighting tool that’s not fighting poverty

30th Jun 2022
Langeberg & Ashton Foods provides employment for around 250 permanent and 4 300 seasonal staff. Photo: Supplied

ICYMI: Search for fruit factory buyer continues

30th Jun 2022
Michele Carelse, founder, and CEO of Feelgood Health, Aquaponics horticulturalist, PJ Phiri Gwengo, Dr Didi Claassen, Afrivets executive for technical and marketing support, and Sibusiso Xaba, co-founder and CEO of Africa Cannabis Advisory Group. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Podcast: Learn the basics of growing microgreens

29th Jun 2022
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
11 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS
Sun, Jul 3, 2022
Food For Mzansi
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
    • All
    • AgriCareers
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Farmers
    • Groundbreakers
    • Innovators
    • Inspiration
    • It Takes a Village
    • Mentors
    • Movers and Shakers
    • Partnerships
    Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

    Reggie Kambule from Villiers in the Free State runs a 185 hectare farm where he breeds livestock and cultivates maize. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Engineer-turned farmer takes pride in good results

    Agripreneur 101: Sweet success for jam producer

    Agripreneur 101: Sweet success for jam producer

    Real Housewife turns passion for wine into a business

    Real Housewife turns passion for wine into a business

    David Mthombeni is building an agriculture empire for his family.Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Farmer gets his hands dirty while building family empire

    Gauteng farmers give youth a leg-up in agriculture

    Women in farming give youth a leg up in agriculture

    Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

    Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

    Unati Speirs has vast experience in agri-business strategy and business funding and was recently appointed as a new board director for Hortgro. Photos: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Youngest Hortgro hotshot takes transformation to heart

    Prof Kennedy Mnisi a dedicated young man who wants to help livestock farmers with animal health education to prevent diseases. Picture. Supplied/ Food For Mzansi.

    Animal scientist works hard to earn top dog status

  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
Food For Mzansi

How to crack it in rabbit farming like Lesego

by Funiwe Ngwenya
1st Jun 2021
in Advertorial, Agribusiness
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Lesego Morapeli is a laboratory technician who started rabbit farming in 2018 after attending trainings.

Lesego Morapeli is a laboratory technician who started rabbit farming in 2018. She entered this industry because she spotted the opportunity to be a pioneer with a relatively new commodity. Photo: Magnificent Mndebele

Laboratory technician Lesego Morapeli was looking for a side hustle when rabbit farming caught her eye. She went out and started a business that makes her this week’s SoilSista. Powered by Corteva Agriscience, we’re highlighting some of the extraordinary female farmers participating in Corteva Women Agripreneur Programme 2021, a year-long blended development programme at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Entrepreneurship Development Academy (EDA). 

When a newbie thinks of going into farming, they tend to consider the time-proven commodities first. They think of crop, poultry or livestock farming, and often start off with cows, sheep, pigs or goats. This is because these industries have been explored successfully by other farmers, and the newcomer thinks that it might be easier to feed a family while making profit. 

It is also exactly why Lesego Morapeli, a 39-year-old wife and mother of two daughters from Mahikeng, North West decided not to go down that path, choosing to start rabbit farming instead. 

“I wanted to try something different in farming, not chicken or beef,” says Morapeli. Rabbit farming is one of the few relatively unexplored forms of livestock farming in South Africa. Not so many people know that we can eat rabbit meat, that it has great health benefits. Few farmers know how to generate income with it. 

Morapeli started farming in 2016, wanting to spread her wings after a successful career in analytical chemistry. She had graduated from Tshwane University of Technology with a national diploma in analytical chemistry in 2005, which opened a door for her to work in the cement industry as a laboratory technician at AfriSam, a supplier of construction material and technical solutions. While working she also earned a B.Tech in chemistry at the Vaal University. 

ADVERTISEMENT
Rabbit farming: Lesego Morapeli and her business partner started with 30 rabbits in 2018 now they have 100 rabbits.
Lesego Morapeli and her business partner started with 30 rabbits in 2018 now they have 100 rabbits. Photo: Magnificent Mndebele

By 2016 she was ready for a new challenge and decided to take on a side hustle in the agriculture space. She decided to go into farming in an extraordinary way, spotting a gap in rabbit farming. “Other farmers focus on crops, sheep and cattle, but rabbit farming is not too full and not so many people are into it,” she states. 

She attended rabbit farming training from Daisy Moleko. This was a fuel of motivation to her as she met a church mate, Linda Mashigo, there. Mashigo would became her business partner two years later and they registered their business Linlestin Agricultural Projects and Services in 2018.

ALSO READ: Meet the domestic worker turned chicken farmer

The advantages of rabbit farming

Morapeli says that it was during this training that she learnt that rabbit meat is a healthy white meat, high in protein and with health benefits for people with chronic diseases. 

One of the advantages of rabbit farming that Morapeli is thankful for is that rabbits are pregnant for only 31 to 33 days and they can breed up to twelve kits (baby rabbits) per litter. Morapeli says “this is why (farmers) should give rabbit meat a chance, compared to chicken which are sensitive and die easily”. 

Another advantage is that though the business is self-funded, they are able to support their rabbits, afford food and vaccines and pay their employees. The business is growing – from starting with 30 rabbits they now have 100. “It is easy to make an income from rabbit farming, because not only is the meat healthy and full of nutrients, but you can make money from the fur and wool,” she says.

Not only is the competition in rabbit farming not as stiff as in other commodities, but it is also easy to manage. Morapeli he has two employees that run the day to day of the farm while she continues earning her livelihood. However, she cautions with a smile, “you cannot be a farmer and not want dirt on you. You need to set an example for your employees and show them how it’s done. And you cannot decide you want to be a rabbit farmer and be afraid of them because you need to be the one that nurses them when they’re sick, be their mother”. 

The relative obscurity of rabbit farming and rabbit meat makes it hard for Morapeli’s family to take her enterprise seriously. This includes her daughter, who thinks rabbit farming is just one of her mom’s hobbies!

Rabbit farming: Rabbit meat is a healthy white meat, with healthy benefits for people with chronic diseases and is high in protein.
Rabbit meat is a healthy white meat, with healthy benefits for people with chronic diseases and is high in protein. Photo: Magnificent Mndebele/Food For Mzansi

Morapeli and Mashigo are currently educating people in local shopping centres about rabbit meat. Their long-term goal is not only to grow the market but to get South Africans informed about the health benefits of this meat so that ordinary people can purchase it for their families. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Morapeli says “I am grateful that I started rabbit farming hobane e tshwere leruo la rona (because it holds our wealth)”.

ALSO READ: From unemployed graduate to farmer, and loving it

Lesego Morapeli’s 5 rules for livestock farmers:

  1. Believe in your product.
  2. Be consistent in production.
  3. Be passionate. 
  4. Get your hands dirty.
  5. Check your animals regularly. 
Tags: Corteva AgriscienceGIBS Entrepreneurship Development AcademyRabbit farmingSide hustle
Previous Post

Mzansi bags 9 of world’s top olive oil awards

Next Post

Researcher brings global touch to agriculture training

Funiwe Ngwenya

Funiwe Ngwenya

Funiwe Ngwenya is a female photographer who values visual storytelling. She studied BA Film and Television at University of Johannesburg. She is currently a fulltime photographer and documentary maker. She fell in love with agriculture when she joined the Slow Food movement. Her work has appeared at the University of Gastronomic Science and the campaign Total Shutdown. Funiwe believes the world wouldn’t exist if it was not visual and every photograph is a certificate of presence.

Related Posts

Barbra Muzata, communications and brand leader for Corteva Agriscience (Africa and Middle East), with the 35 #SoilSistas 2022 at their orientation day this week. Photo: Supplied/Corteva Agriscience

New #SoilSistas welcomed with amazing Jozi race

by Magnificent Mndebele
15th Jun 2022
0

“If women are empowered, we know that communities will be empowered too.” With these powerful words, Mirriam Mashego kicked off...

Corteva Agriscience's Centre for Seed Applied Technologies (CSAT) was just launched in Pretoria, Gauteng. Photo: Funiwe Ngwenya/Food For Mzansi

Corteva Agriscience launches seed treatment lab in SA

by Magnificent Mndebele
10th May 2022
0

One of the world’s leading agricultural technology companies has just launched a state-of-the-art laboratory in South Africa to develop and...

Corteva Agrisciences and the Entrepreneurship Development Academy at GIBS are currently recruiting 30 women agripreneurs who will benefit from a year-long training opportunity. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Women agripreneurs, apply now for year-long course

by Staff Reporter
9th Apr 2022
0

Do you have what it takes to be among the 30 women agripreneurs who will benefit from a sought-after year-long...

PowerCore technology uses combined modes of action to combat primary and secondary pests that can cause significant crop damage and subsequent production losses. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Maize farmers welcome new insect control solution

by Staff Reporter
18th Mar 2022
0

TRENDING: Mzansi farmers are buzzing about the release of PowerCore, a high-performing, herbicide-resistant seed trait that helps to protect crops...

Next Post
Dr Hlamalani Ngwenya is a Free State social scientist and global citizen. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Researcher brings global touch to agriculture training

Leave your comfort zone and make money, says foodie
Catering Company

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

by Vateka Halile
1st Jul 2022
0

MZANSI FLAVOUR: With a hustle and a bustle, Eastern Cape foodie Vuyelwa Makile found ways to alleviate her financial stress....

Read more
Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

1st Jul 2022
Experts have warned farmers to prepare for another steep fuel price increase this month. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

1st Jul 2022
Parts of the Western Cape, such as the Central Karoo, are still experiencing drought. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

1st Jul 2022
Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

30th Jun 2022

ICYMI: Historic kickstart for Engcobo livestock economy

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

Safety summit: Will it be a turning point?

ICYMI: Search for fruit factory buyer continues

Lack of legislative support threatens SA’s food security

Beef up your understanding of SA’s red meat industry

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

With 11 global awards in the first three years of its existence, Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication. It is a movement, unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture. We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society.

SA forestry: Dynamite on a small patch of land

War on veggie meat names ‘to protect consumers’

What to look for when formulating dairy cow rations

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
WhatsApp line: +27 81 889 9032
Marketing: +27 71 147 0388
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought

Copyright © 2021 Food for Mzansi

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version