Men of Destiny chairperson Pastor Ignatius Mahlangu have initiated a programme to encourage young people to become farmers. 

He has already started cultivating two hectares of land at Jackaroo in December last year (2022).

Pastor Mahlangu started the programme with four young people from his church, and they are still at school. 

The Department of Agriculture has assisted them by providing seeds, and they have already planted some vegetables in the garden. 

“I’m concerned about the unemployment rate, especially young people, those from poor families and those staying with their mothers, as single parents. Other community members introduce their young children at an early stage, like in business sectors or other skills, and they develop experience as they grow older. We need to copy such as black people,” said Pastor Mahlangu.

Pastor Mahlangu said there is widespread poverty in the country and a high rate of unemployment, and the most affected are the young people.

He added to say that most of these children were born out of marriage and some of them are involved in crime and in a few years to come they will be a disaster in the country.

Pastor Mahlangu encouraged young people to focus on education and not do negative activities like crime, and not to be involved in drugs and alcohol abuse. He is also concerned about the high rate of young qualified people who are unemployed and putting a burden on their families.

He said the government need to provide land to the people so that they can start with farming programmes.

“There is no solution to the country’s problem unless people create jobs for themselves. They can start poultry farming, vegetable gardens and other programmes. Young people must abstain from drugs and alcohol, crime and sexual intercourse which will result in teenage pregnancy. About 500 hectares of land can create a lot of jobs for young people rather than rely on the R350 grants. The cost of living is too high, let’s all stand up and make South Africa a better country,” ended Pastor Mahlangu.     

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