The Siyatiphilisa Groundnut Project, located on the R40 outside White River, has greatly benefitted 122 pensioners as subsistence groundnut farmers.

These elderly women from various underprivileged areas as far away as Nyongane, Shabalala and Phola, are determined to use their farming knowledge to provide food for their households and to bolster their social grant income by selling produce.

They have been cultivating peanuts and jugo beans for the past six years within a young eucalyptus plantation near Klipkopjes Dam. The space was provided by MTO Group, a South African agricultural and forestry organisation.

Many are heads of households, either widowed or acting as guardians for their orphaned grandchildren.

One farmer, Nora Nsimbini from Mahushu, said she successfully maintains her household, consisting of five grandchildren, with the extra income earned from selling her produce.

“There has never been a day we have gone to bed without a proper, nutritious meal. I sell the beans and nuts for money and also cook nutritious meals with the produce. I’ve managed to cover my grandchildren’s school essentials, such as uniforms and stationery, ensuring a brighter future for them,” said Nsimbini.

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Dudu Dube from Salubindza said she has managed to acquire building materials to extend her house to improve her family’s living conditions. “The social grant is not enough. It is up to a person to stay at home and rely on it or get up and improve their lives while they can. My left knee gives me problems but I have found a solution to manage the pain whenever I have to work in the field,” she said.

One major challenge these women face, is the lack of transport between the farm and their homes.

Sofie Themba from Shabalala said commuting to the farm is expensive as there is no public transport going there directly. “We rely on lifts, which is unsafe. Public transport drops us off on the R40 and we have to walk a long way down to the farm. Sometimes some are unable to come, which leads to lack of maintenance of the field. We are working towards acquiring a bus service that will assist us and we hope we will get help,” said Themba.

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The project is aiming for growth and hopes to partner with the Small Enterprise Development Agency to offer essential business and financial training to these women, thereby equipping them with the skills they need to thrive.

They are also aiming to produce their own peanut butter brand.