Abazozuza Primary Cooperative wins cash award
The cooperative was proud to be announced as the SMME of the year.
The winners of the Esayidi Rapid Incubator and Centre for Entrepreneurship’s Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) of the year went to Abazozuza Primary Cooperative Limited who were awarded R10 000 in prize money.
The cooperative established in 2018 consists of six members and 12 staff operating in the Kwanzimakwe area.
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The team, which initially started their agricultural journey in 2016, had its main focus as poultry farming. After acquiring 68.9 hectares of tribunal land, the cooperative then expanded its agricultural scope with the planting of castor seeds.
The team have since signed agreements with suppliers and plan to start harvesting their castor seeds from December 20 at 140 tons a month. They will send the harvest to a university in Durban where essential oils will be extracted and processed into bio-diesel.
Founding member of Abazozuza Primary Cooperative Limited, Fundi Mbanjwa said she was overwhelmed to hear that her company had been nominated as the SMME of the year.
“It was unexpected, but we are so grateful to the incubator for the support and recognition given. This has motivated us to work harder in our business,” she said.
Ms Mbanjwa said that part of the prize money would be used to purchase protective items for staff such as gloves and masks with the remainder being used to employ additional seasonal staff to assist with harvesting.
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