23 October 2023
By: Joy January
A small-scale vegetable project, Thabake Business Enterprise, recently completed its first harvest with the assistance of AfriForum and Saai.
The first cauliflower and broccoli crops have already been delivered to the market, while cabbage will be harvested at a later stage.
Lebo Mosime, founder and CEO of Thabake Business Enterprise in the Rustenburg district in North West, approached AfriForum in 2022 after deciding to expand her small-scale vegetable farming operation.
At the time, the farm was operating in her backyard on 2 000m². Although Mosime was delivering her produce to markets, the scale was too small to be economically viable.
“I have knowledge of vegetable farming but I want to learn and grow. I also want to transfer my skills to others who want to farm and contribute to economic growth and job creation,” she says.
AfriForum and Saai assisted Thabake in installing solar-powered drip irrigation on 0.75 hectares of the 21ha farm in the Phokeng area which the company rents from Royal Bafokeng Enterprise.
“We support Thabake in enhancing their existing capabilities in farm planning and management,” says Leon Lourens, development coordinator at Saai.
“We also collaborate with local stakeholders with the necessary technical expertise regarding the selection of varieties, fertilisation, pest and weed control, and soil quality improvement. Lebo understands how to farm; we are happy to assist her in developing her farm into an economically viable agricultural enterprise.”
Nantes Kelder, national project coordinator of intercultural relations and cooperation at AfriForum, says: “Self-sufficient communities, food security, and good relationships and cooperation between cultural communities are essential to ensure peaceful coexistence here at the southern tip of Africa.
“It is a privilege for AfriForum to be involved in a partnership where so much dedicated work is being done to make an impact at the grassroots level.”
Lebo’s future
“My vision is to become a successful commercial farmer and deliver sought-after, high-quality products,” says Mosime.
“I want to build and grow Thabake Business Enterprise so that my children and the generations after them can inherit it – I want to create a lasting legacy. I thank the Lord for this partnership.”
Crop rotation is applied, and there are plans to plant green beans, bell peppers, chili peppers, butternut squash and zucchinis during the next planting cycle.
