Yesterday, unemployed: Today, South Africa’s first black olive oil producer
Previous Next For Loyiso Manga, the light that guided him through the darkness of unemployment was his desire to connect our people to the benefits of olive oil. Fast-forward two or so years and meet the new Loyisa Manga, founder of Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), whose products can be seen on the shelves […]
Chillies and peppers – get in while it’s hot
Previous Next With a spike in the demand for healthy, natural ways to spice up meals, the market for chillies and peppers is expected to keep growing around the world. Which is all the more reason why you can consider growing them on a small or large scale. According to Trade Map, global imports of […]
Pretty little flowers with massive money-making potential
Also known as “red gold”, saffron is a spice derived from the small crocus sativus flower. Saffron can fetch up to R250 000 per kilogram on the market, which is why teaching emerging and learner farmers to grow this precious flower lies at the very heart of Saamstaan. Saamstaan, which means “together we stand”, is […]
Working on a farm today? You could very well be the farmer of tomorrow
The story of David Matobako from the Free State is a heart-warming example of what is possible when you seize an opportunity for growth and collaborate with others to make the most of this opportunity. At the start of this story, David was a foreman on a vegetable farm. When the owner decided to sell […]
Young or old, your seed of possibility emerges the moment you plant a seed
Previous Next The recent life and times of Dr Brylyne Chitsunge are testimony to the fact that you can never be too young or too old to become a farmer. Breaking the mould in all regards, Dr Chitsunge exchanged the corporate world for farming at quite a mature age. Since then, she has become not […]
When life gives you lemons, make a lemon farm
Previous Next From fruit hawker to commercial lemon farmer in just seven years, the story of Wayne Mansfield certainly gives new meaning to the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Whilst Wayne knew how to sell lemons, he certainly did not know how to grow lemons when he embarked on this amazing journey. […]
Hello flower gardener, are you our next ornamental crop farmer?
Previous Next Luther Burbank said, “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” Plant the right flowers, however, and they could very well become a viable farming business too. Jacky Goliath and her partner from the Western Cape planted their first 1 000 fynbos plants […]
Your piece of land – a potential land of opportunity
Previous Next With the help of the People’s Tunnel, you could turn your piece of rural or urban land into a smallholder farm that produces fresh veggies to help feed both your family and community, and even start selling to local markets. The People’s Tunnel is brough to you by Booysen’s Tunnel Farm, a small-scale […]
Take a leaf out of the book of moringa farmer, Maboang Matlou
When Maboang Matlou and her family learnt that the leaves of Moringa trees are literally bursting with natural goodness, they realised it can help create food security while contributing to the health and wellness of our people. They seized the opportunity and planted their first 1 000 moringa trees in 2015, and they’ve never looked […]
Choose to become a farmer today and trust that ubuntu will pave the way
Previous Next In Africa we have a concept called ubuntu, which basically means “humanity to others” or “I am what I am because of who we all are”. Commercial vegetable farmer Phillipine Pila from the Bahone Agricultural Project just outside Rust de Winter in Limpopo will tell you that it is ubuntu that has led […]
