Pietermaritzburg farmer gets much-needed Funding

By Nompumelelo Ngubane

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in KwaZulu Natal celebrated youth in farming and poultry businesses. The commemoration was about encouraging the youth to take part in developing their communities.

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the department of agriculture have managed to create over 590 job opportunities with the aim of stimulating economic growth, food security, and the advancement of KwaZulu-Natal rural communities. The departments assist farmers by giving them a start-up cost including crops, and necessary equipment for starting their businesses.

Ntobeko Mafu (23) the CEO and founder of Madame Clucks Alot, from Nhlazatshe in Pietermaritzburg is one of the farmers who have benefited from the KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture and Rural Development and NYDA. She supplies free range broiler chicken, organic leafy greens to her community and beyond. Her business also specializes in training and mentorship development programmes where they teach people who want to start a business in agriculture.

Mau said, “I received a start-up cost from the NYDA, they funded my business with equipment and stock of up to R50 000 and that was amazing for me. That is how my relationship with the NYDA started and they have been able to assist me every step of my business.” She further stated that last year she got an opportunity to go to Thailand and she needed money for registration and the department was able to assist her by covering the travel expenses and they made her a mentor.

Furthermore, her business Madame Clucks Alot has been able to create more job opportunities in Nhlazatshe. They currently have six executive members who work part-time, ten additional ground workers who work at the farm and they are all receiving stipends. Mafu is positive that her trip to Thailand will help her create more opportunities for her community.

Amahle Ndlela (23) a ground worker at the farm explained that working with organic plants and broiler production did not only provide her with financial stability, but she also learnt about the importance of eating healthy food.

The department of Agriculture and Rural Development and NYDA have been successful in ensuring the betterment of rural communities in Pietermaritzburg. The city has maintained its agricultural practices, thereby ensuring food security in the rural areas of the city.