Lenyenye teacher harvests hope from humble gardens
From chalkboards to crop rows, teacher-turned-farmer David Modiba shows how backyard farming can plant seeds of generosity.
LIMPOPO – In the village of Mojeteng near Lenyenye, a remarkable story of passion, resilience, and community upliftment is unfolding. At the heart of it is a veteran teacher, David Modiba, who describes himself as “a teacher by profession, but a farmer by nature”.
Despite not owning a farm, his love for farming has enabled him to supply fresh spinach to major retail outlets such as Food Lover’s Market and Tarentaal OK store, all from a modest backyard plot and a schoolyard garden.
“I dream of farming even when I sleep,” he said. “If I see land that is not ploughed, I get worried. Farming is in my blood.”
His journey began in 2019 when Joseph Maenetja Primary School in Mojeteng allowed him to cultivate part of its land while keeping the grounds clean and safe for learners.
What started as an effort to green the schoolyard soon blossomed into a community-supporting enterprise. His spinach harvests not only reached supermarket shelves but also provided food and support to needy families around the area.
Instead of pocketing profits, Modiba reinvested much of the income back into the school, paving parts of the yard, buying equipment, and even assisting learners with uniforms and shoes.
“I was not after money. I was just helping the community,” he explains.
Now at 67, he faces challenges such as aging, climate change, and especially water shortages, which he calls his “biggest enemy.” Still, his optimism remains unwavering. “Even if I had just four hectares of land, I could do wonders. I have all the knowledge, I just need water and support,” he said.
For him, farming is not a business, but a service. He often shares surplus produce with struggling families and offers to market crops for small-scale growers without charging them. “There’s a lot of work in this country. We just need to use our brains,” he advises young people.
From a backyard and school garden, Modiba has cultivated more than just spinach; he has grown a legacy of generosity, resilience, and hope.
To contact Modiba, call 083 952 0207.
