In Upington in the Northern Cape, farmworker spirits are still high following an eye-opening session on everything from spotting counterfeit money to responsible pesticide usage, and making smart financial choices.
The Northern Cape leg of Food For Mzansi’s Agricultural Workers Days was held at the Louisvale hall, bringing together farmworkers for a day of empowerment, learning, and community-building. The event was hosted by GP Viljoen Farms in partnership with Naturesmart.
Spotting fake money
Among the top speakers were Phenyo Marumo, currency integrity empowerment officer at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).
With his high energy, Marumo led a session on spotting counterfeit money using the “look, feel, and tilt” method.
“It was wonderful to see that the information was new to most of them,” he remarked. “Many farmworkers were unaware of the issues around counterfeit, dye-stained, or mutilated banknotes. They asked about what to do with burnt or washed notes, showing a genuine interest in learning,” he said.
Marumo highlighted the importance of reaching out to farmworkers, who are often isolated from such vital information due to their remote locations and work schedules.
“It’s very important for us to reach as many people as possible because counterfeit money issues affect everyone, not just those in suburban areas,” he added.
Safe pesticide usage
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, operations and stewardship manager at Croplife South Africa, delivered an important message on responsible pesticide usage.
Verdoorn stressed the critical role of personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling pesticides, underscoring the responsibilities of both farm owners and spray operators.
“Everything must be locked away and used according to label instructions. Personal protective wear is crucial. After use, all empty containers must be triple-rinsed, punctured, and placed into a recycling network,” said Verdoorn.
His presentation reinforced the need for stringent safety measures to protect workers and the environment.
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Smart financial choices
The Food For Mzansi farmworker event also included a presentation on smart financial choices by Vicus Kammies, financial education facilitator at Old Mutual On The Money.
According to host farmer Viljoen, this session resonated deeply with attendees.
“What stood out to me the most was the financial part. Everyone works for a salary, but how do you spend your money and on what? Yes, we are in difficult financial times with high inflation and interest rates, but it is important to save a portion of your salary,” Viljoen said.
Kammies’ practical advice on financial discipline left a lasting impression on the farmworkers, Viljoen added.
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