23 October 2023
By: Johan Norval
An award-winning raisin producer in Groblershoop, Northern Cape, is tackling unemployment in neighbouring communities by identifying three development projects and establishing a soccer club.
Dirk Louw of Silver Moon Investments experienced a production decline from 203 tons of raisins in 2019 to 47,9 tons due to unfavourable weather conditions over the past four seasons. This led to the employment of 40 fewer temporary workers than the usual 100.
“This trend had a disturbing psychological effect on me as a farmer,” he says. “I believe that when difficult times become unbearable, I must focus on the basics of farming as I received them.”
Silver Moon is on the Orange River, its name symbolising the silver lining of a full moon and representing a bountiful harvest to Louw.
For the past 24 years, the 49-year-old farmer has worked to improve the social conditions of neighbouring communities through job creation. He has won several awards, including Farm Worker of the Year (2007) and the Northern Cape New Generation title in 2022.
His first job-creation project involves developing 14.8 hectares of agricultural land with permanent staff. The environmental impact study has been completed and the establishment of 10ha of raisins has been approved.
Two other projects that require developers involve 15ha of vineyards where temporary workers will be employed and 10ha that will engage the Topline community, north of Groblershoop.
Louw says unemployment leads to criminal activities and the abuse of alcohol and drugs, which have started to affect young people.
“It’s important for me to be involved in the community so that people can experience the value of hard work and stay positive despite difficult times, seizing every opportunity,” he says.
With the support of the farm, the Silver Moon Investment soccer team has gained respect in the communities of Topline and Wegdraai. Louw’s office also assists soccer players in applying for training opportunities. They are mainly men between the ages of 18 and 35 who occasionally do temporary work.
At a recent reception to launch the soccer team, Freedom Hadebe, who played a role in the soap opera 7de Laan, was the motivational speaker.
Louw looks forward to a good harvest this year. “If conditions in agriculture were different, I could have fought harder to ensure that children grow up in a hopeful community that can support the next generation.”
