Mahikeng- Agriculture can be said to be the most crucial industry, yet male-dominated. Nomathemba Langa, a 29-Year-Old female farmer from Brits has proven to be excelling in pig farming after her father bought a farm in Zvezda Game Resort outside Brits, which is proof enough that females also have a huge role in saving our economy through farming and job creation.
“My dad bought a farm in 2013 and said I should choose a project that I will manage and generate income for me and my kids”, said Nomathemba. She said her pigs were busy dying and she called guys from SAPO, who took her for training at Bynes¬eld Academy in Pietermaritzburg where she knew that she will pursue pig farming and go commercial. She endured challenges regarding her Environmental Impact Assessment, which cost Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand. Fortunately, her father already had it when he bought the farm. She said she got R50 000 in funding from Government COVID-19 grant, and R50 000 from NYDA for feed.
Her ¬rst achievement was when she got her VET certi¬fication from both private and state VET, to allow her to slaughter at an abattoir. She now slaughters her pigs at an abattoir and sells directly to customers. “I got 3 letters of intent from different wholesale companies saying I should supply them with 100 carcases weekly”, she alluded. She wishes to grow her butchery and go commercial in the next ¬ve years, which will allow her to export her products to Lesotho and Botswana. Nomathemba said in the agricultural sector, one will come across men who want to show you that it is their sector.
She highlighted that men should not see women as competition, but acknowledges that women can also farm and be empowered. She advised young farmers to draw positivity in whatever negativity they face.
