Company invests into farmer’s dream

Last week, Lanxess continued its investment into the community.

For many years, local farmer, Oupa Nhlapho, fondly dubbed Sgegede, has dreamed of utilising all 20 hectares of land he owns.

On September 3, his vision became a reality.

During a handover ceremony, Lanxess CISA donated a ploughing tractor and irrigation machine to Mr Nhlapho, to further his spinach farming project.

This farm was purchased in 2008.

“Only six hectares are being used to plant and grow spinach, which is distributed to local supermarkets, and feeding schemes in the oSizweni area,” explained Nomzamo Khanyile, Corporate Communications Manager for Lanxess CISA.

The donation forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, to help improve and sustain the quality of life of people within the communities in which it operates, she added.

Managing Director for Lanxess CISA, Gerhard Strydom explained further.

Addressing guests at the handover, including a delegation from the Newcastle Municipality, a representative from NAFCOC, Mr Nhlapho’s mentor, Petrus Boshoff, and representatives from Lanxess CISA, Mr Strydom highlighted the aims of its social responsibility.

He said this was the company’s way to ensure balance between the country’s economic, environmental and social aspects of its operations, while addressing stakeholders’ expectations.

“At Lanxess, we understand the importance of impacting the quality of lives of people in the communities we operate in, adopting a motto which says, What is good for our business, is good for society.

Accepting the machinery, an elated Mr Nhlapho thanked the Almighty for making the day a reality, also thanking Lanxess for ‘going beyond energising chemistry to energising farmers’.

“I cannot not take this opportunity and thank my mentor and friend, Petrus Boshoff, and my colleagues, who have been of great help to me in growing this farm into what it is today. Not forgetting my lovely wife, Princess, and the rest of my family, who have been a pillar of strength.”

On behalf of the mayor, head of Development Planning for Newcastle Municipality, Nokhuthula Thusi explained their journey with Mr Nhlapho began in 2013, when he had just two hectares of land.

“We are excited to see the growth which has taken place that is very important to us because of our commitment to ensuring we improve, in terms of local economic development in our municipality.”

After the formalities concluded, Mr Nhlapho received papers as symbols of ownership for the machinery, and through the milestone of settling land repayments, he is now awaiting transfer of the land into his name.

The spinach project should also increase its staff complement by December this year.