LIMPOPO – Giyani Mayor Thandi Zitha has urged women in Giyani to inspire their children and grandchildren to take up farming as a means of creating jobs, generating income and alleviating poverty in their communities.

The mayor made the call during the municipality’s Female Farmer of the Year Awards held on Friday at Giyani Golf Course. The event, held as part of the August Women’s Month celebrations, aimed to recognise and empower women farmers who are contributing to food production and economic development in Giyani.

Passing on the value of hard work

Zitha said women had a responsibility to pass on the value of hard work and farming to younger generations, particularly those who have access to land and resources.

“Women should encourage their kids to do manual work, especially those who have land and resources for farming,” she said.

“Let us tell our kids and grandchildren that jobs do not only come through working for someone; they can create their own jobs through farming.”

The mayor highlighted the demand for vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, cabbage and carrots, saying these products are consumed daily and therefore present opportunities for young people to establish sustainable businesses.

Farming as an alternative to unemployment

With unemployment remaining a major challenge in Giyani, the mayor said farming could provide an alternative for young people who struggle to find formal employment.

“What we see today here was done by women,” the mayor said, pointing at the display of farm products at the event.

The mayor said too few young men were involved in agriculture and urged greater efforts to encourage them to take farming seriously.

While stressing the importance of education, she said unemployed young people should consider agriculture as a viable livelihood.

Backyard farming for food and income

She encouraged parents to introduce children to backyard farming, saying growing vegetables or raising indigenous chickens could provide food for families and create an income.

The awards, she said, celebrated women proving that farming is a pathway to self-employment, food security and economic independence.

Overall winner takes home R175 000

Maria Rungulani Baloyi of Mavalani village in Ward 20 was named the overall winner.

Competing in the commercial farmers category, she won R100 000 for her category and an additional R75 000 as the overall winner, taking home a total of R175 000.