Thirty-five students have graduated from Mathuba Farming Academy in Limpopo’s Vhembe District, with an outstanding female trainee receiving a livestock starter pack valued at approximately R30 000 to help launch her farming journey.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Basikopo Makamu, Limpopo MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, congratulated the graduates at the academy’s training awards ceremony and highlighted the importance of turning agricultural training into productive farming enterprises.
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Top female trainee rewarded for outstanding performance
Emmanuel Mudau, founder of Mathuba Genetics, said the special award was presented to the female trainee who achieved the highest marks among the women participating in the programme. Her performance was assessed through both theoretical assessments and practical work covering the knowledge and skills taught during the training programme.
Mudau said award winner Thabelo Madinda’s dedication, understanding and performance throughout the programme distinguished her and earned her the livestock starter pack.
The award consists of a Bosvelder sheep starter pack, a Savanna goat ram and a Venda chicken starter pack, providing her with productive livestock that can help her put her skills into practice and begin building her own farming enterprise. MSD Animal Health also donated animal medication to support her farming journey.
Mudau said the award also carries a broader message. It was created as a tribute to women who have lost their lives to violence and as a statement by Mathuba Genetics against gender-based violence and femicide. Through the initiative, Mathuba Genetics wanted to respond by investing in women through agricultural opportunities and economic empowerment.
Makamu commended Mudau for the initiative, saying empowering women through agriculture could provide economic independence, dignity and opportunities to lead and build sustainable livelihoods.
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Makamu calls for agricultural land to be put to use
Makamu called on traditional leaders to make agricultural land available to people who are ready and willing to farm. He emphasised the importance of putting available land into productive use so that communities could contribute to food production and food security.
His message also highlighted a challenge facing newly trained farmers: agricultural knowledge and skills need to be accompanied by access to land and other resources if aspiring farmers are to turn their training into sustainable livelihoods.
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From backyard initiative to farming academy
Mathuba Farming Academy grew from a small backyard initiative established by Mudau and has developed into a training centre focused on equipping emerging farmers with practical agricultural knowledge and skills. The academy was officially launched by former Limpopo agriculture MEC Nakedi Kekana.
The Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said the graduation demonstrated the importance of transforming agricultural training into practical opportunities and supporting emerging farmers to participate, grow and become increasingly integrated into the agricultural economy.
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