Joint vegetable project now delivers surplus vegetables

The Batlokoa Ba Mota cultural community in Tsheseng, Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State is finally picking the “vegetables” from its Mofumahadi MaMontoeli Mota vegetable project.

The project has been supplying sufficient vegetables to the local nutrition scheme for several weeks now. There is even now a surplus of vegetables, including spinach, carrots, pumpkin and onions, sold.

These sales make a substantial contribution to improving community members’ socio-economic conditions and access to affordable, nutritious food in the area.

The vegetable project is a joint initiative of the executive committee of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL), AfriForum, Saai and the office of Morena e Moholo (chief traditional leader) Montoeli Mota, of the Batlokoa Ba Mota.

A solar-powered drip irrigation system was installed and put into operation as part of the project in September last year. Community members received training in vegetable production in December.

“I am very proud of our community members who through their hard work and perseverance manage to produce more vegetables than the nutrition scheme needs and which enables them to also earn an income,” says Morena e Moholo Montoeli Mota, Morena e Moholo of the Batlokoa Ba Mota cultural community.

“I am also proud that they use the knowledge and skills that have been passed on to them with success because it serves as proof of the potential that can be unlocked in rural areas with the right support.

“I hope this success motivates other role players to also become part of the project, so that it can develop to its full potential.”

This historic partnership between the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL), AfriForum, Saai and the office of Morena e Moholo was established as part of the very first annual Lenaka memorial lecture held at Manthatisi High School at the end of 2024.

AfriForum and Saai support the project through their agricultural development incubator, Resilient Regenerative Agricultural Initiative (RRAIN).

“The annual Lenaka memorial lecture not only serves as a platform to celebrate our heritage and cultural identity, it also focuses on promoting development within traditional communities. The success of this project confirms the positive role that traditional leaders and traditional leadership structures, such as the NHTKL and provincial houses, can play in the socio-economic development of grassroots communities when genuine partnerships with a shared vision and values are established,” says Kgosi Thabo Seatlholo, chairman of the NHTKL.

Mamotseare Pitso and Mphuthi Jacob stand with their hands full of vegetables. (Photo: Provided)

Barend Uys, head of intercultural relations and cooperation at AfriForum, says good relations and cooperation between cultural communities, based on mutual recognition and respect, are essential building blocks for ensuring peaceful and prosperous coexistence in the country.

“Great challenges face communities that can only be solved through community building. It is gratifying to see how this project tangibly promotes community independence and makes a positive impact on people’s lives,” says Uys.

Leon Lourens, development coordinator of Saai, believes that there are many rural, communal areas that can be developed and utilized through the commercialization of agricultural operations.

He says it is therefore essential to promote the growth of more commercial farmers in these areas where it is most needed. “Projects like this create development opportunities for small farmers who have the potential to develop into commercial farmers. It is therefore a priority and a privilege for Saai to also be involved in this initiative,” says Lourens.

“This project is after my mother, The lady (queen) MaMontoeli Mota, named, because good deeds like this, which make a future possible for our children, are the best way to honor our ancestors’ legacy,” says Morena e Moholo Mota.