Mangaung – The Noga’s Post community vegetable project celebrated a successful February harvest with 180 kg of potatoes being sold locally, while 40 bunches of spinach were supplied to the M. Malikoe School Support Project.
A further 100 kg of onions were harvested and will be sold when packaged.
The project team also had the privilege to donate potatoes to elderly community members and families in need, and is excited about the prospect of supplying 40 bunches of spinach twice a week to the school support project.
The project is a joint initiative of the Noga’s Post community, Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka, AfriForum, and Saai, who have been collaborating since 2020 to improve food security and economic opportunities within the Noga’s Post village.
AfriForum and Saai are involved in the project through their agricultural development incubator, the Resilient Regenerative Agricultural Initiative NPC (RRAIN), which provides support with planning, mentorship and inputs.
“Agriculture remains central to improving the socio-economic realities of our rural community,” says Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka, Kgosi of the Barolong Boo Seleka cultural community.
“I am proud to see how residents are taking responsibility, collaborating effectively, and building sustainable livelihoods with determination.
“It is inspiring how they have responded to encouragement to seize opportunities, become more self-sufficient, and take their future into their own hands.”
According to Barend Uys, Head of Intercultural Relations and Cooperation at AfriForum, healthy, self-reliant communities are not built through promises, but through actions.
“It is a privilege for AfriForum to support these hard-working community members and to witness how they enjoy the fruits of their own labour.
“We hope that the continued progress of this project will inspire others to become involved in our joint effort.
“Initiatives like this, which make grassroots impact, are essential to ensuring the prosperous and peaceful coexistence of the various cultural communities here at the southern tip of Africa,” said Uys.
Leon Lourens, development coordinator at Saai, said: “These community members show what can be achieved through dedication and perseverance.
“It is heartening to see that at the end of every planting cycle, there is not only food on the table, but also a surplus that can be sold.
“The development of people and the achievement of sustainability and profitability take time. Saai is proud to be part of this success story.”
