01 May 2024
By: Lebogang Mashala
A public-private agricultural initiative is enhancing the skills of the community Ga-Pila, near Mokopane in Limpopo, and improving their socio-economic status.
Ga-Pila Community Garden is producing 400 crates of tomatoes weekly and Godfrey Black of the non-profit company Impact Catalyst, one of the partners in the project, says this achievement is a significant milestone in the establishment of a sustainable agricultural community farm.
The other partners in the initiative are Monte View (Pty) Ltd and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Social Employment Fund.
The history of Ga-Pila, also known as Sterkwater, is closely tied to Anglo-American Platinum’s mine in Mogalakwena. Between 2001 and 2003, the community at Ga-Pila village was relocated from Vaalkop farm to Sterkwater farm due to safety concerns linked to blasting at the mine.
The Impact Catalyst was established by Anglo American, the CSIR, Exxaro and World Vision South Africa to create mechanisms that drive large-scale socio-economic development initiatives through public-private partnerships.
Black said through the hard work of Ga-Pila community members, the community garden is supplying the Johannesburg and Tshwane markets and preparing to send Gem tomatoes to Mozambique.
“We managed to transfer agricultural technical skills and knowledge to assist the Ga-Pila Community Garden reach and access a broader market,” said Black. “By doing this, we hope to create a sustainable community-driven agricultural initiative that will increase food security for local community members and enable local farmers to actively participate in the agricultural sector.
“The proceeds from the sale of the harvested crops will be allocated primarily towards sustaining and enhancing the garden’s operations. This also includes the investment of the revenue generated in essential resources such as seeds, tools and equipment necessary for efficient garden maintenance.”
Ga-Pila community members previously relied on external sources for their food supply, which highlighted the need for increased involvement in local agriculture, said Black.
Beyond supporting the Ga-Pila Community Garden in gaining access to markets, the IDC has provided 100 community members with employment opportunities. They work between eight and 12 days a month and are paid by the Social Employment Fund.
“This employment opportunity has not only stabilised the economic status of these community members but has also instilled in them a sense of collective ownership,” said Black.
