In the heart of Limpopo, in the small village of Moletjie, a group of seven remarkable women is forging a path of resilience and empowerment in the challenging agricultural sector. Despite facing individual obstacles in their agricultural businesses, these women have joined forces to form a cooperative, leaning on each other for support, guidance, and success.
Mologadi Madisha, one of the pioneers and chairperson of the Sisters in Farming Cooperative, says the challenges they face are often similar, but their strengths complement each other. “We navigate this industry together, drawing strength from our collective experiences.”
Specialising in poultry and agro-processing, Madisha and her fellow women farmers are breaking barriers and supporting each other in their farming endeavours.
Madisha recounts the challenges she faced after completing her agricultural studies. “I struggled to find employment but instead of giving up, I turned to agriculture,” she explains. “I fell in love with it, despite the initial hurdles like lack of capital and connections.”
To overcome these challenges, she had to be resourceful. “I had to make friends and network to start my agricultural projects. Starting with poultry farming and setting up an on-site abattoir was just the beginning,” Madisha says.
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Unity is strength
Wendy Moshakga, the secretary of the cooperative, says they support each other and draw strength from each other’s weaknesses.
“Regardless of our gender or background, we come together to compete and empower one another,” says Moshakga.
Their cooperative, although recently started, has over 10 years of farming experience between the seven women. Their model, they tell Food For Mzansi, transcends traditional boundaries. While each woman manages her own agricultural business, they collaborate seamlessly, pooling resources, expertise, and networks to overcome challenges and seize opportunities collectively.
“We’ve interlinked our personal lives and become one. It’s not about individual success but about lifting each other up and inspiring others to do the same,” says Moshakga.
“The objective of the cooperative is to channel our individual resources toward the sustainability and the growth of the cooperative. We assist one other of joint market access, meeting desired quantities. We are bringing on board networks and collaboration on a larger scale.”
Moshakga farms with cabbages and specialises in poultry farming. Her poultry farming operation has a capacity of 5 000 chickens.
“We have two sites where we raise and process the chickens for the retail market,” Moshakga explains. “Managing this operation single-handedly comes with its challenges, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. It’s what motivates me to wake up every morning and keep pushing forward.”
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Empowered women empower women
However, their journey is not without its hurdles. Access to support and resources remains a key challenge. Madisha emphasises the importance of partnerships with institutions and organisations to provide technical support and training opportunities.
“We’re looking into partnerships with training institutions and other programmes to accelerate our progress. By collaborating with like-minded organisations, we can amplify our impact and reach more people.”
Their ultimate goal is to change the narrative surrounding women in agriculture. They want to be seen as pioneers, challenging stereotypes and inspiring others to follow suit.
“We want to change the narrative about women working together,” Madisha asserts. “We want to show that it’s possible for women to succeed in agriculture, regardless of the obstacles.”
As they continue to grow and evolve, these seven women remain steadfast in their commitment to each other and their communities.
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