Budding farmers eager to find bigger piece of land to farm
Budding farmers Johannes Mashakeng and Lesetja Makola are appealing to the Polokwane Municipality to provide them with a piece of land in the Seshego area for commercial farming.
The duo currently sell bunches of spinach for R10 in the Central Business District and in Seshego but say the piece of land they currently have is not sufficient to keep up with the demand and they have to buy bunches from retail stores.
“One of our biggest challenges is that we are buying from someone and we no longer want to do that. We want to be our own supplier and create employment.
“We are pleading with the municipality to at least give us a piece of land to farm. We are using our backyards and we are unable to plant more due to the minimal size.
“We want bigger land so that we can plant more produce.
“We want to create jobs, employ young people and help to fight and confront poverty, unemployment and inequality that has engulfed the country.”
Mashakeng (25) who is part time disk-jockey (DJ) was raised by a single parent and ventured into farming in April 2020 after struggling to book gigs during lockdown.
“I was a regular DJ at a local bar in Seshego but I had to find an alternative means of income. I am the breadwinner at home and my family relies on me.
“I’ve always had a passion for farming and the lockdown reignited that passion.” Mashakeng added that they are not making much revenue, but the little they do make allows them to put food on the table.
Makola (21) said they also need funding to buy seedlings, irrigation systems and insecticide for the crops.
“We want to grow the business and supply to big markets and we can’t do that on our own. We need the support of corporate entities and government.”
Makola added that he is saving a chunk of the profit for his tertiary studies as he wants to pursue a career as a boilermaker. “The growth of this enterprise will not only benefit me, but the community because one of our core objectives is to create employment.
“We need to plant more produce and feed the entire community. We also want to people to eat vegetables and live a healthy lifestyle.”
The Spokesperson for Polokwane Municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo encouraged the young farmers to make a formal request through the Office of the Mayor.
