In the heart of Bochum in Mohodi Ga-Manthata, seven visionaries have transformed a small yard into an aquaponics centre that aims to serve not only as a food production farm but also as a research centre, skills academy and tourist attraction.
By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming
Within a modest 35m x 35m yard in the Capricorn East Agro Ecological Zone in the Molemole Local Municipality is Baswa Climate Grow Primary Cooperative. This is a shining beacon of how innovation, collaboration and unwavering determination can transform not just farming but also entire communities.
“You don’t need hectares to make an impact. You need innovation, passion and purpose,” says Tlou Kevin Ngoepe, the founder whose words have become the driving philosophy behind this remarkable aquaponics enterprise.
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Seven Hearts, One Vision
The story of Baswa Climate Grow begins with seven individuals who came together in 2023, each bringing unique skills to create something their community had never seen before. Leading this transformative initiative as Chief Executive Officer is Tlou Kevin Ngoepe. His impressive academic credentials include a BSc in Agriculture (Plant Science) from the University of Limpopo, an MSc in Fishery and Aquaculture from Nanjing Agricultural University in China and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Agricultural & Natural Sciences. He is also currently pursuing a PhD in Aquaculture at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His credentials are matched only by his passion for community development. With more than 10 published Science Citation Index (SCI) articles and extensive contributions to international aquaculture studies, Ngoepe returned to his rural roots with a mission to enable sustainable and scalable farming solutions for rural communities.
Alongside him as a key driver, Chief Financial Officer Elvis Mkhari ensures the cooperative’s financial sustainability. The dedicated team includes Chief Human Resources Officer Paula Thupi, Chief Operations Officer Mmakgoshi Collen Babili, Chief Marketing Officer Malebo Windy Moabelo, Legal Adviser Makwande Sifiso Mdebuka and Communications Officer Martin Koena Nkoana. Together, this diverse team of people have pooled their complementary expertise across operations, finance, marketing and human resources to create a multifaceted enterprise that’s redefining rural agriculture in South Africa.
The cooperative wasn’t born from external funding or government grants – it was built from the ground up through the sheer determination and pooled resources of its seven founding members.
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Soon after the founding members brought their vision and determination to life, the transformation of Baswa’s modest dream into a state-of-the-art facility was made possible through a crucial partnership with the Department of Social Development. The department’s sponsorship of the cooperative’s sophisticated aquaponics system enabled the remarkable scaling from an initial single intermediate bulk container (IBC) tank setup to the current highly efficient 35m × 35m climate-smart farming operation. This government investment has proven transformative, allowing Baswa to sustainably produce more than 2 000 crops and 175kg of fish through its innovative closed-loop system that minimises water use and waste.
Nutrient-rich water from the fish tanks naturally fertilises the plants through hydroponics, and the plants filter and clean the water before returning it to the fish. This closed-loop system not only conserves water but also minimises waste, demonstrating climate-smart agriculture in its purest form.
“Many learners only know agriculture from textbooks. We open our gates so they can touch, observe and understand living systems,” explains Ngoepe, whose passion for education runs as deep as his commitment to farming innovation.
A Classroom Without Walls
But Baswa Climate Grow is much more than a farming operation, it’s become a living laboratory where the impossible becomes possible. The facility serves as a tourism attraction where school learners from across Limpopo can witness aquaponics systems that didn’t exist in their communities just a few years ago. For many children, it’s their first glimpse into a world where technology and nature work in perfect harmony.
The cooperative has already trained 24 participants in climate-smart agriculture, issuing AgriSETA-accredited certificates that open doors to new career possibilities. Educational tours bring primary, secondary and tertiary students face to face with innovation, while discussions with Capricorn TVET College (Senwabarwana Campus) aim to align practical modules with an agricultural curriculum.
Agricultural college students find here what textbooks cannot provide: hands-on experience with cutting-edge farming techniques. The facility has become a practical training ground where theoretical knowledge transforms into applicable skills.
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Research Meets Reality
Positioning itself as a research centre for tertiary institutions and government bodies, Baswa Climate Grow provides a real-world laboratory for aquaculture research, genetics studies and climate resilience investigations. The South African government’s recognition of aquaculture as a critical industry aligns perfectly with Baswa’s mission to support and develop the sector in rural areas.
The cooperative’s partnership with Mohodi Cricket Club exemplifies its innovative approach to community engagement by providing agricultural exposure and building life skills for team members while creating career paths linked to agribusiness. It’s agriculture meeting sport; tradition embracing innovation.
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Beyond the Fish Tanks: Community Impact
The ripple effects of Baswa’s work extend far beyond its 35m boundaries. In a region where water scarcity affects daily life, the cooperative drilled a borehole that will also provide free drinking water to nearby households – a gesture that speaks to its commitment to community wellbeing.
Baswa’s recent donation of fertiliser to four local schools has transformed educational gardens into living classrooms where children learn about food production, nutrition and responsibility. As Paula Thupi, the cooperative’s Chairperson, puts it: “This gesture was about planting more than vegetables.”
Dreams as Big as the African Sky
The vision extends far beyond the current success. Plans are under way to triple Baswa’s capacity and venture into agro-processing on-site, creating a complete agricultural experience for visiting schoolchildren. The goal is ambitious yet achievable: when learners leave Baswa, they should be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to start their own businesses.
“We want to show young people that agriculture isn’t just about working in fields but also about innovation, technology and creating solutions for tomorrow,” Ngoepe explains, his eyes lighting up as he describes plans for an on-site hatchery and vegetable nursery that will increase self-reliance.
The cooperative seeks capital investment for Phase 2 expansion and welcomes collaborations in aquaculture research, genetics and climate resilience. Its aspiration is clear: to become a replicable rural development model that conserves resources, produces food and trains communities for economic viability.
A Model for Africa’s Future
Baswa Climate Grow represents something profound: proof that rural communities can be at the forefront of agricultural innovation. By employing community members, training youth and women, and serving as an enterprise incubation hub, it’s creating economic opportunities while promoting sustainability and resilience to climate change.
In a continent grappling with food security challenges and climate change impacts, Baswa’s model offers hope. It demonstrates that with the right combination of innovation, education and community spirit, small spaces can yield big changes.
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