A programme promoted by the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR), called household food gardens, is a step toward economic freedom for both the farmers and those they employ.
This was confirmed by one of the farmers from Goso Village in Mount Ayliff, Nontuthuzelo Mbele (69).
She confirmed that she started her food garden in 2014 producing vegetables only for her family, and had no ambitions of selling her produce. While still in her subsistence farming phase she entered the Women Entrepreneur Awards (WEA), formerly known as Female Entrepreneur Awards, and won in the subsistence category both at district and provincial levels.
She confirmed that she won the Best Smallholder Farmer category and also won the overall prize during the DRDAR’s Alfred Nzo District WEA competition.
“I entered in this competition, and I won in the Best Subsistence Producer Category in 2019. This year I also entered the competition under the Smallholder Category, and I won. I also won the overall produce prize for the district. I thank God for giving me strength to farm and to continue employing jobless youths. This means my company is not going to fade anytime soon,” said Mbele.
She confirmed that even though her children are old enough and living in their own homesteads, she has made sure that she assists youth who passed Grade 12 by giving them an opportunity to work in her food garden.
“Our children must know that there is a high rate of unemployment nowadays, so they must learn to use land so that they can be able to live. I thank DRDAR and the Alfred Nzo District Municipality for giving me support.”
She confirmed that she sells her vegetables in different areas, including big supermarkets.
