1
Acknowledgements
The USAID Resilient Waters Program is funded by the U.S. Agencyfor International Development and
implemented by Chemonics International Inc. Fixed amount award No. RWP-G3-MDF is a sub-grant
implemented by Mahlathini Development Foundation.
© Mahlathini Development Foundation (MDF)
2 Forresters Lane
Pietermaritzburg, 3201
KZN, South Africa
T (+27)828732289
W www.mahlathini.org
Company Reg. No. 2016/285787/08 (2016)
Non-profit org. Reg. No. 930051028 (2015)
DUNS No. 539 162 399
Community based climate change adaptation for increased
water productivity and food security for improved rural
livelihoods in the Lower Olifants basin
MILESTONE 4: Learning, mentoring and monitoring:
Report (1).
30/11/2020
2
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Mahlathini Development Foundation (MDF) is a small public benefit non-profit organization consisting of
rural development practitioners who specialize in participatory learning and action processes,
sustainable natural resource management and low external input farming systems, including a focus on
rain water harvesting, conservation agriculture, intensive homestead food production, food security,
climate change adaptation micro finance and enterprise development.
MDF designs and implements rural development programmes and training processes providing learning
processes for adults all the way from semi- literate farmers to post graduate university level. We work
in partnership with government and non-government organisations alike. We are sensitive to and
mainstream where possible gender, disability and people living with HIV/AIDs.
Climate variability and climate change (increased temperature, increased variability in rainfall
patterns, increased intensity of storms and increased drought) have far reaching effects on the lives
and livelihoods ofthe rural poor. Climate change poses a significant threat to South Africa’s water
resources, food security, health, infrastructure, ecosystem services and biodiversity.
This project intends to effect processes for community-based climate change adaptation (CB-CCA) for
improved livelihoods and resilience for project participants through introduction and implementation
of climate resilient agricultural (CRA) practices, building of social agency and stakeholder platforms
and support for alternative income generation opportunities.
The Innovation Systems methodological approach for this project focuses on local level learning groups
and individual and group experimentation to increase local capacity and agency in building systems for
food security and rural livelihoods.
As a first step, a village level assessment of climate change impacts and general natural resource use
patterns are done. Secondly, an analysis of adaptive strategies and associated practices provides the
platform for implementation of locally derived and prioritized activities and CSA practices. Thirdly, the
learning groups provide the organizational platforms for participatory research and monitoring,
improved governance and agency and collaborative actions around village level water resource
management, rainfed cropping systems, grazing management, village level savings and loan
associations and farmer centers for local input provision and marketing.
Research and development assistance’s key role will be to create and facilitate innovation platforms
for local action in an environment of increasingly fractured social structures, immense economic and
survival pressures, and where direct government support to rural dwellers has decreased dramatically
over the last decade. Use of the smallholder farmer level decision support system will ensure a locally
motivated and owned agenda for action, with potential for transformative adaptation that includes
local stakeholders and service providers in the Communities of Practice (CoPs).
3
Contents
1 Executive Summary ................................................................................................. 5
1.1 Progress for the reporting period ............................................................................5
2 Project Objectives ..................................................................................................6
2.1 Overview of RW Community based CCA Project objectives..............................................6
3 Milestone Description ..............................................................................................6
3.1 Definition of milestone and purpose ........................................................................6
4 Climate Change learning groups ..................................................................................7
4.1 Progress with Learning and Mentoring ......................................................................8
5 Progress for main activities.......................................................................................22
5.1 Learning and implementation ...............................................................................22
5.2 Water committees ............................................................................................52
5.3 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and enterprise development..........................56
5.4 Networking and stakeholder engagement .................................................................71
6 Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) plan ...............................................................72
6.1 Framework & indicators......................................................................................72
6.2 Farmer level experimentation and innovation ............................................................72
7 Work Plan for Milestone 5 ........................................................................................73
7.1 Work plan for December 2020 March 2021. .............................................................74
8 Appendices ..........................................................................................................75
8.1 PGS process ....................................................................................................75
8.2 Women’s month profile stories series......................................................................77
4
8.3 The list of Tunnel recipients..............................................................................79
8.4 Participants that are selling produce in all markets that are currently available...............80
5
1Executive Summary
1.1Progress for the reporting period
Learning group members across nine of the thirteen villages have been engaged between August and
November 2020 in a number of leaning and mentoring activities related to climate resilient agriculture
(CRA) including: Soil fertility, soil and water conservation, bed design (trench beds, tower gardens,
eco-circles and Mandala gardens), and tunnel construction. In addition ,9 village savings and loan
associations (VSLAs)have been started and supported across 6 villages and a learning and mentoring
programme in enterprise development has been conducted for members of VSLAs from 6 villages.
The organic marketing process has been supported for sale of produce to the Hoedspruit training Trust
for local food parcels to support vulnerable households during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as selling
at the Hoedspruit farmers market and the Komgelo market. Three learning sessions in a series of 8 have
been conducted to bring participants from 3 villages (Sedawa, Mametja and turkey) to readiness for
PGS organic certification.
In total 268 participants have been involved in learning and mentoring support processes during this
period.
With regards networking and stakeholder engagement, proposals have been submitted to AgriSI (for
organic mango production) and to the US and Canadian Embassies, the Solidarity Fund, GIZ and RW to
attempt to garner support and resources for the provision of water in these villages. Unfortunately,
none of these submissions have been successful.
Liaison with the WWF smallholder farmer management Luyanda Njanjala, has been undertaken to
include a selection of 65 smallholder farmers in their process of supply of organic herbs and vegetables
to Unilever. A database has been developed for the farmers.
Inputs have been made to the climate Justice charter in association with the SA Food Sovereignty
campaign and we have been working closely with Awande Buthelezi from the Climate Action Campaign
to compile a submission under their water stressed communities legal action process. Community level
resolution and mandates have been collected for this purpose and we have attended a number of the
webinars.
PARTICIPANTS THIS PERIOD
MAHLATHINI: Erna Kruger, Betty Maimela, Thembhani Mabunda (Intern), Nqe Dlamini, Mazwi
Dlamini
CHEMONICS: Sitha Mvumvu, Mayford Manika, Lindela Mketeni and Steve Collins.
,
6
2Project Objectives
2.1Overview of RW Community based CCA Project
objectives
GOAL: Increased adaptive capacity and resilience to the impacts of climate change for poor, rural
households involved in agriculture.
This goal is aimed specifically at Objectives 3 and 4 as set out in the 2019 Resilient Waters Program
APS: Objective 3: Strengthened ability of communities and key institutions to adapt to change,
particularly the impacts of climate change; and
Objective 4: Conserved biodiversity and ecosystem services.
OBJECTIVES:
Reduced vulnerability to climate change by supporting and strengthening collective action,
informed adaptation strategies and practices and tenable institutional arrangements at a
local level, including all relevant service providers and sectors.
Increased sustainability and efficiency of CSA systems in the study areas giving specific
attention to the value chain, using an IS approach
Adaptation and scaling out of sustainable CSA systems in selected areas using livelihoods
and environmental criteria and
Building and strengthening of different innovation platforms and networks for financing,
awareness and implementation of community level Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)."
3Milestone Description
3.1Definition of milestone and purpose
Milestone descriptions have been developed for the RW CB-CCA project for the period starting January
2020 and ending November 2021.The table below summarises the activities against the present
milestone description and budget.
Table 1: Mahlathini Development Foundation Milestone 4: 6 August-30 November 2020
Milestone
Title
Milestone Verification
Target Due
Date
Milestone
Payment
Visioning and
Decision
Support (I)
Progress report
The grantee will submit to Chemonics a Leaming, Mentoringand
Monitoringreport detailing thefollowing:
I)Number Learning groups and Local facilitator (LF) training
and mentoring in soil and water conservation for intensive
homestead food production, conservation agriculture and
livestock integration with each of the leaming groups.
II)Number and demographics of people trained
III)Demonstrate how the training benefits the Resilient Waters
programme
30
November
2020
R 353 597.00
7
IV)Number of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAS)
formed
V)The type of savings mechanisms initiated in the
communities
VI)Number of farmercentres initiated.
VII)Number of business development support provided and
which organizations this was provided to
Annexes Attendance registers and photographs from trainings
conducted
The grantee will also submittoChemonics a report on monitoring
detailing the following:
I)Initiatives designed.
II)Experimentation implemented.
III)Progress of experimentation
IV)Community response from the awareness campaigns around
local and new best practise options (at least 2 identified and
introduced)
4Climate Change learning groups
Below is a small map indicating villages where the CCA learning groups are active.
Figure 1: Map of villages where the CCA learning groups are presently active; July 2020
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4.1Progress with Learning and Mentoring
Overall, MDF has engaged 340 participants across 13 villages. Of these participants 72% are women and
28% are men.Youth involvement is still reasonably small at around 10%. See the table below for a
demographic breakdown of climate resilient agriculture (CRA) learning group participants
Table 1: Participants in CRA learning groups (November 2020)
Village Name
Participants
Female
Male
Youth
Sedawa
30
12
Mametja
8
2
2
Finale
9
5
1
Willows
20
9
5
Turkey
58
26
9
Botshabelo
9
4
Lepelle
13
7
4
Worcester
27
10
3
Madeira
10
5
0
Santeng
30
7
2
Lorraine
4
3
Turkey 4
Mulalane
26
6
8
244
95
34
TOTAl
340
The process followed by MDF is to work at individual homesteads and with small very localised groups of
participants to continue the learning and implementation in CRA. Attendance at learning and mentoring
workshops and planning sessions has thus been muchlower and the sessions are repeated for a larger
number of small gatherings.
All members who attended meetings were required to wear a mask before entering the premises of the
workshop, members were sanitized atthe gate before entering and they kept a 1.5m distance throughout
the workshop. Each workshop in the respective villageswas conducted outside where there was enough
space foreveryone to keep distance to each other and it started with a prayer before getting into the
rationale of the workshop and also ended with one.Pre-packed light meals, including juice, water and
fruits wereoffered to the participants after each workshop.
During this period learning and mentoring focused on bed design (trench beds, eco-circles and shallow
trenches), tunnel construction by participants and tower gardens, as well asreview and planning sessions
forthose groups who have undertaken CA todate to prepare for the upcoming planting season.In addition,
training has been undertaken in permaculture design principles and mandala beds. Conservation
Agriculture training has been undertaken for ??/ learning groups across?? Villages and a CA
experimentation process has been initiated.
9
Learning and mentoring has also included village savings and loan associations (9 groups across 6 villages)
and enterprise development training for 3 villages.
In total, 186 participants across 9 villages have received learning and mentoring support between August
and November 2020. A total of 28 learning and mentoring sessions have been conducted.
Table 2:Summary of CCA learning group progress and planned activities: August- November 2020
Learning group
(no of active
participants in
the reporting
period)
CCA
planning
Practices to focus on,
from CCA and review
workshop sessions
Progress with activities
(November 2020)
Planned activities
(December 2020-
April 2021)
Turkey 1 (24),
Turkey 2(18)
and
Turkey 4 (34)
(76participants)
Done
Seeding production,
processing (chilli,
Marula, beetroot and
artchar), tower
gardens, organic mango
production and mango
grafting, eco-circles,
seed saving,
composting, markets,
nurseries
-Mandala bed and
permaculture training (36)
-Tunnel construction (15,14)
- VSLAs monthly meetings and
mentoring for Turkey 1(19) and
Turkey 2 (14)
- Tower garden training,
Turkey 4 (18)
-Trench beds training
workshop turkey 4 (34)
- trench beds recap and eco-
circle training Turkey 1,2
(24,18)
- Tunnel construction training
and follow-up (14 )
- Organic marketing - PGS
training sessions 2 (12), 3(16)
- Enterprise development
training (17)
- Water committee meetings (x
3) and monitoring of water
scheme implementation (18)
Monthly VSLA
meetings
- Organic marketing
(PGS workshops 4-6)
-CA training; CCs
experimentation,
knapick planter
CA experimentation
follow up
Sedawa and
Mametja (47
participants)
Done
Liquid manure, natural
pest and disease
control workshop,
shallow trenches, eco-
circles, mandala
garden, irrigation
management, soil
conservation (stone
lines, check dams,
terraces), tower
gardens, livestock
integration, seed
saving review and
storage , organic
mango training,
compost, value adding
to crops, example basil
pesto, tomato jam
- Mandala bed and
permaculture training (28)
-VSLA monthly meetings and
mentoring for 3 groups in
Sedawa (13,19,15)
- Water committee meetings
x3 and monitoring of water
scheme implementation (19)
- Organic marketing PGS
training sessions 2 (16), 3 (17)
- Enterprise development
training (11)
- Water committee meetings (x
3) and monitoring of water
scheme implementation (21)
-Monthly VSLA
meetings
- Organic marketing
(PGS workshops 4-6)
-Pest control
-Mango grafting
practical
- Any new innovation
that MDF might know
of that they haven’t
tried.
- Nursery
- Crop calendar
- CA training; CCs
experimentation,
knapick planter
Willows (17
Participants)
Done
Bed design, seed
saving, seedling
propagation,
Conservation
agriculture, drip kits,
trench beds, mulching,
furrows and ridges,
- VSLA monthly meetings and
mentoring for Willows(17)
-Tunnel construction workshop
and follow-up (10)
- Organic marketing; planning
and implementation
- Monthly VSLA
meetings
- Organic marketing
- Tunnel construction
(5 participants)
- Tower gardens and
eco-circles
10
banana circles,
rainwater harvesting,
organic mango
production, tower
gardens, liquid manure,
natural pest and
disease control.
- Mandala bed and
permaculture training
Finale (9
Participants)
Done
Poultry production,
field cropping
practices, marketing,
- Organic marketing; planning
and implementation
- Organic marketing
Santeng (25
Participants)
Done
Drip irrigation,
diversion ditches,
greywater
management,
rainwater harvesting,
ridges and furrows,
stone bunds, keyhole
ends, banana basins,
crop rotation, mixed
cropping, mulching,
conservation
agriculture, targeted
fertilizer and lime
application, liquid
manure, trench beds,
legumes, compost, eco-
circles
-Tunnel construction training
and follow-up(18)
- VSLA monthly meetings and
mentoring for Santeng (13)
- Enterprise development
training (25)
- Monthly VSLA
meetings
- Organic marketing
- CA training; CCs
experimentation,
knapick planter (25)
Worcester (15
Participants)
Done
Seedling production,
drip irrigation,
greywater
management, tower
gardens, natural pest
and disease control,
growing herbs, seed
saving
- CCA introduction, 5 finger
principles (13)
- VSLAs monthly meetings and
mentoring for Worcester (14)
- Tower garden training (15)
- Monthly VSLA
meetings
- Tunnel construction
(7 participants)
Madeira (14
Participants)
Done
Drip irrigation,
mulching, keyhole beds
(grey water), furrow
and ridges, banana
circles, rainwater
harvesting, tied ridges,
targeted fertilizer and
lime applications,
liquid manure, trench
beds, eco-circles, seed
saving
- VSLA introduction training
and monthly meetings and
mentoring for (14)
-Meeting with water
committee (9)
- Monthly VSLA
meetings
-Trench bed workshop
and follow-up
-Tunnel construction
(5 participants)
-Tower gardens and
eco-circles
-Organic marketing
Lorraine (0
Participants)
Not
done
Shade cloth tunnels
The group is not meeting
during the COVID lockdown
period no progress
Mulalani (36
participants)
Done
Tunnels, underground
tanks, and bigger
rainwater harvesting
structures more
generally, drip kits,
growing fodder for
livestock, conservation
agriculture, diversion
ditches, mulching,
liquid manure, tower
gardens, furrows and
- CCA introduction workshop in
September 2020 (22)
-Trench bed training workshop
September 2020 (25)
-Trench beds and soil
fertility
-Tunnels
-Tower gardens
- Mixed cropping, new
crops, crop calendar
- Pest and disease
control
-CA intro
11
ridges, shallow and
deep trenches, natural
pest and disease
control, new winter
e.g. crop options, seed
saving, savings groups
Total trained
239
CCA review and planning
Written by Betty Maimela
This was conducted during this period for the Worcester group and a new group in Mulalani has been
brought on board through the CCA workshops facilitation process
CCA-Worcester: Introduction to Agroecology and five finger principle learning
workshop
Date: 23 July 2020
Participants: 13
Homestead: Naume Manaso
WORKSHOP AGENDA
1. Introduction to Agro-ecology
and organic agriculture
2. Introduction to five finger
principles and CRA practices
3. Discussion on what CRA
practices farmers will be
implementing (farmers will be
choosing practices that they will
implement in their gardens and will be held accountable for the results as they will be monitored and
evaluated on how they implement practices and what practices they have implemented so far)
4. VSLA loan calculations recap and garden visits
4.1.1.1.1Introduction
Worcester is one of the newgroups that joined the CB-CCARW project. Farmers are enthusiastic to
change their way of farming, as they have tried with their old ways of farming and have been struggling,
more especially giventhe impact ofclimate change. Farmers understand the effect of climate change
and have seenthe effect of climate change onnatural waterresources, their way of living and
agricultural activities.
Agro-ecology is also one of the terms used mostly in networks that farmers attend but their grasp of the
concepts and how this relates to their own farming is a little vague. Thus, the workshop was planned to
outline the concepts and assist with analysis and understanding of their own farming context. The five
fingers model for assessment of CRA practices follows on from this discussion.
4.1.1.1.2Introduction to Agro-ecology and organic agriculture
Betty asked farmers if they are familiar with the word “Agro-ecology “or whether they understand what
Agro-ecologyis all about. Farmers like Nkhekhe Madike remembered from the mangotraining that Nelson
(from Hoedspruit Hub) said Agro-ecology is farming that centres onfood production while making best
12
use of nature’sresources without damaging these resources. In addition, it focuses on differentelements
like;
1.Diversification to ensure food security and nutrition, while conserving, protecting and enhancing
natural resources, for example crop rotation, often including maize with legumes and cover crops.
2.Innovative agro-ecology practices produce more using fewer external resources.
3.Agro-ecology enhances the resilience of people, communitiesand ecosystems asa key element
of sustainable food and agricultural system.
4.Networking and sharing ofknowledge, as agricultural innovations are more responsiveto local
challenges when they are co-created through a participatory process.
Farmers understood that they might be at fault as they cut down trees, by clearing land for farming and
plant fewer trees back. They also mentioned that they also cut trees for firewood and they now realize
the impact of the imbalances caused. Farmers wanted to understand how organic agriculture differs from
agro-ecology. Betty explained that organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of
soils, ecosystemsand peopleand uses only organic inputs.No inorganic inputs and chemicals such as
pesticides, fungicides or herbicides are allowed.
She also explained to farmers the importance ofsoil management for good production and yield. She
further explained that organic farming is more affordable as it mostlyfocuseson increasing levels of
organic matterin the soil using “green manures”, mulch, compost, cover crops and the addition of animal
manure.
Historically, smallholder farmers have been using organic methods of farming. Thishas changed in the
last 50-60years when inorganic fertilizers and hybrid seeds forexample have been introduced and also
promoted by the Department of Agriculture. It is possible for smallholder farmers to re-introduce the
organic practices focusing on the best options forsoil improvement, water management and crop
diversification, whilealso focussing on the conservation of naturalresources, to build a more sustainable
farming system.
4.1.1.1.3Introduction to Five finger principle and CRA practices
The five finger principles have been used as a tool that farmers can easily remember, with each finger
representing a certain principle that links toagro-ecological practices which can be implemented to
achieve theprinciple for better food production. Pictures were used during the presentation for
participants to see the types of practices and for them to easily identify CRA practices that they will be
able to implement.
Figure 2:Shows five finger principles and agro-ecological practices that farmers can implement in their gardens.
13
4.1.1.1.4Farmers inputs on practices to implement in their gardens
1.Aniki Mmola felt that she could only undertake easy practices, as she is old and hard labour is
difficult for her, for example making liquid manure. She was not sure about mulching as she
has problem of nematodes in her garden and she was advised to try to mulch on the pathways
to attract nematodes to the pathway where she will be stepping to decrease them in her
garden. She would also like to implement the tower garden, trench beds and tunnel.
2.Rosina Maanaso has been implementing roof rainwater harvesting and shallow trench beds,
where she would add tree leaves and maize residues and mix of soil with goat manure before
planting seed. She will be implementing the tower garden. She also loved the results of the
tunnels that she saw from other participants from other villages and wants to try having trench
beds and tunnel to protect her plants from the extreme heat and chickens.
3.Thapelo Mmola is the youngest male farmer in the learning group. He wants to try to
implement trench beds and a tunnel in his garden. He joined Betty and Thembani on oneof
tunnel construction training workshop at Santeng.
4.Dora Ratheko and Anna Ramoshaba will be implementing eco-circles in their gardens.
5.Farmers were not convinced about using grey water more especially waterthat was used for
bathing, they stated that it is not hygienic to use such water on crops that will be eaten by
people. They would rather use this water to irrigate their flowers and trees.
6.Some participants didn’t comment or commit as they are having a challenge of water.
4.1.1.1.5VSLA loan calculations and garden visits
Worcester learning group is dominated by older illiterate people. In the savings group they depend on a
few individuals whocan write and read toassist with record keeping and calculating moneyfor loans
with the 10% interest. The group however requested an input onhow this is calculated, as want to
understand properly how it works.
Betty took time and showed them how they can break down the10% ofevery hundredand fraction
thereof, in a way they can both use and understand. She also explained that they can always take some
time after every savings meeting allowing Thembani to recap so they cannot easily forget.
Participants were alsoshownhow to use their phones to calculate the interest as they are using different
phones and each has to know how to use their phones. The treasurer, specifically needs to be able to do
this easily.Participants also wanted clarity on how sharing of interestwill occur. Betty explained to
participants thattheinterest generated through issuing ofloans belongs to the savings group and no
member in the savings group should be forced to take loans.Betty also took time to explain to
participants howtheywill share out at the end of the cycle, as the total interest earnings are then
divided according to each participant’s number of shares.
4.1.1.1.6Garden Visits
Garden visits followed after all presentations were done. Farmers were given a variety of seeds in June,
when level4 lockdown as still in place.These included cabbage, mustard spinach, Swiss chard,kale,
Roma tomatoes, onions and spring onions. Farmers were also given herb seeds, which are new to them
namely, curly and flat leaf parsley and coriander. There were crops that farmers were not familiar like
peas, rape and turnips. The first visit was Rosina Maanaso, she planted tomatoes, Swiss chard,kale,
coriander and pumpkin. She was confused by coriander; whetherit is eaten like they eatMorogo and how
one cooks it.
14
Figure 3: Rosina’s garden, indicating mulching with dry grass and use of old maize stalks both asa mulch and as a
protective cover against birds.
Melita Malatji also planted a variety crops in her garden. Her difficulty is that water needs to be
collected from a natural spring for irrigation, which is busy drying up.
Figure 4 above: Melita’s garden, showing beds with Swiss chard and mustard spinach as well as her enclosure for
her traditional chickens.
15
Anika Ramoshaba has a borehole, which she uses forirrigation.The borehole yield has decreased
substantially over time. She sells Morogo around the village or R10.00/ bunch and makes between R100.00
to R150.00 per day.
Figure 5: Shows beds in Anika Ramoshaba’s garden planted to tomatoes, Swiss chard, onions and a small seedling
bed of coriander and parsley.
Below is a further selection of garden pictures from Worcester.
16
CCA Introduction workshop:
Mulalani
Date: 19 August 2020
Participants: 22
Village: Mulalani
Organisations: MDF (Betty and Thembani)
Figure 6: One of the workers at the daycarecentre
where we held the workshop waschecking
participants temperature to sign them in on their
roll-call.
WORKSHOP OUTLINE
1.Introduction to climate change; concepts,
2.Seasonality diagrams
3.Impact of climate change on farming and livelihoods; brainstorming and mapping
4.Analysis of the local farming situation; past, present and future
Introduction to climate change
This new learning group was started with the assistance of Nomsa Mafologela, the LF from Santeng. She
usually sells her fresh produceat Mulalani and Enable and she tells people how she manages to grow
fresh crops through learning with Mahlathini.
The villagers were interested and asked her to organize a meeting. Most of the people who attended the
workshop are active farmers but at a small scale for household consumption, relying on municipal water
forirrigation and consumption. Some participants havetheir own boreholes and a fewalso use water
from nearby streams.
Water and unemployment are considered the
main problems in this village. Most of the
participants have an active garden where
they planttomatoes, spring onions, sweet-
potatoes, butternut, green beans and sugar
beans, lemon grass, mustard spinach, Swiss
chard spinach and moringa (which people
harvest as Morogo). Only two farmers are
farming forboth selling and consumption at a
largerscale. One of these participants has a
spring (well) in his field for irrigation and Mr.
Moeng built a damclose to a stream.Water
collected here is piped to a cut off Jo-jo tank
which serves as his reservoir in the field.
Participants know about climate change but
never associated the difficulties they come
across to climate change, because the words
were never clear to them. The issue begins
with climate then leads to social problems.
We need to keep on trying different
solutions
17
Betty also introduced Mahlathini to participants, explaining the work and processes and that MDF is an
NGO, which operates quite differently from Government.
Impacts of CC
2.1.Summary of comments on climate change from participants
CC is causedby green-house gases and disturbances of nature such as cutting down of trees.
Participants explained that they chop trees and mostly indigenous trees for firewood as
electricity is expensive andthey know that their actions arethe cause ofchange in climate
change.
There is a change in rainfall. It doesn’train like it used to. It’s been years since they had good
rainfall.
Drought and increase in soil erosion and dry rivers.
Extreme heat.
2.2.Impacts of CC summarised by participants
Increased evaporation means plants wilt easily- lower yields
Pest outbreaks (such as cutworm and stalk borer, aphids) have become worse
Water scarcity; makes it almost impossible to work household water is prioritized over using
water for irrigation. Alsomunicipal wateris not enough for bothirrigation and consumption.
They get water oncea week and other community members complain when they use municipality
for in their gardens.
Livestock are dying ofhunger and thirst; rivers are dry and there is no grass for livestock to graze.
Past, present and future of farming activities in the area; summarised from the workshop discussion
Past farming activities
Present activities
Future activities
More rainfall with running rivers
and springs
Less rainfall, dry rivers and natural
springs
Deaths
Enough rain for planting their
maize, sorghum, millet, ground
nuts, Bambara nuts
The rain is not enough, the crops
that they used to plant during
seasons are struggling to grow in
theseextreme heat
More drought and soil erosion
Never had pest problems
Have pest problems like stalk borer,
aphids and birds are eating their
crops.
More diseases that are killing
people
No use of chemicals
Use of pesticides and fertilizers
More hunger
Water was never a problem as
rivers were flowing
Water shortage for both irrigation
and consumption, they buy water.
Scarcity if water makes everything
difficult.
No jobs and more poverty
Livestock were grazing anywhere
Buy livestock feed
Seeds and food shortage
Everyone was farming
Only people with water and money
are farming
Increase in crime
Crop yield was satisfying
Low yields or no yields
There is a lack of interest from
youth, but if they were to be
interested, we ascommunities
could invest in their education so
that they can help us plan
They had food and it was not
expensive
There is no food and it is expensive.
We have moved from producing most
of our food locally to having to buy
everything
Youth will have less information
about agriculture
18
Use to farm in big fields selling
and eating
They are now farming in their
household small gardens to feed
themselves and their families
Youth were doing agricultural
activities with their parents
Droughts are more severe than
before
Deforestation and soil erosion, linked
also to bushencroachment
Diseases are killing young and old
people
Lost indigenous seedslike sorghum
and millet
Crime is increasing
Youth arenot participating in
agricultural activities
We have to encourage youth to
participate and see the importance
of agriculture.
CC predictions and understanding
Presentation of scientific predictions forthe areawasdone and seasonality diagrams developed for
temperatureand rainfall with the
group, to elucidate community level
understanding of changes.
Figure 7: Betty on the left working with
farmers on temperature prediction of
Mulalani village with the villagers on the
right is a graph of temperature predictions
and changes. The red linesindicate
increased temperature for every month of
the year
Figure 8: The seasonality diagram looking
at rainfall and changes.
Group participants agreed that
temperature is increasing throughout
the year. With rainfall the distribution
has changed andbecause of heavy rains
erosion has increased. Overall,
distribution has decreased- fewer
months of rain. There is now a delay in
harvesting of wild leafy vegetables
(Morogo) as this used to be in
November. Now that it is drier and
hotter, the supply has decreased
considerably. The rain is definitely
more unpredictable. Crops like Swiss chard generally grows throughout the year, but thisyear the crop
is struggling to grow properly because of theextreme heat and pest problems. Itfeels as if thereis no
winter anymore.
19
Planting dates have shifted and instead of being able to plant in September, we need to wait sometimes
until January for enough rain to plant.There is a change in crop types that canbe planted. Heat tolerant
cropsare now preferred. These include: chillies, onions, cowpeas, peanuts, jugobeans, sugarbeans,
sweet potatoes.There are also changes in planting methods planting now works betterin controlled
environments such as greenhouses.
Climate Change impact mind
mapping
This exercise is designed forparticipants
to explore all the impacts ontheir
farming systems and livelihoods as a
starting point to beginning to identify
potential adaptive measures.
Figure 9 below: The mind map produced
during the workshop by the learning group
Participants mentioned impacts such as:
More drought
Increase in pests and diseases
Scarcity of water
Boreholes and rivers drying out
Livestock dying
Not farming anymore
Increase in unemployment
Decrease in farming activities
No rainfall
Increase in poverty and hunger
Having to produce crops in smaller areas
And social issues suchasincreased hunger, increased crime, lack of jobs, increased domestic violence,
theft, increase in death rate
Table 3: The table below summarises the impacts, linkages and potential adaptive measures mentioned by the
learning group
Impacts
Description and linkages
Outcomes
Potential adaptive measure
Heat
Plants wilt and die
Lack of grazing,
livestock die
Mulching, controlled grazing, reduce
stock, save/store fodder leaves
and grasses for dry season
Lack of
water,
shortages
Rivers drying out, boreholes
drying out
Greywater, purification using wood
ash
Soil
Soil erosion (more dongas), soil
fertility decreasing,
Deterioration of
roads- making
access difficult
Planting in trench beds, tower
garden and furrows
Crop
production,
resources
Lower yields, more pests,
reduction of indigenous trees
Common pests: cutworms,
millipedes, centipedes, aphids,
stalk borer
No yields, no
indigenous trees
Natural pest and disease control,
mulching (but this can increase
some pests), inter cropping, crop
rotation, use of multi- purpose
plants (e.g. marigolds)
Livestock
Lack of grazing, more diseases,
more damage of crops
Livestock
decreasing, not
healthy
Control grazing, planting livestock
feed
Social
repercussions
Poverty, diseases, hunger
Crime, murder and
theft, domestic
20
violence, divorce,
increased death rate
5.1.Assessment of potential practices
A few practices were selected from the mind map and were further explored in terms of participants’
understanding of how well they would/might work.
Practices
Does it work
How well does it work
Tower garden
Yes, works well
Lack of access to materials for making the towers; leads
to growing in small areas- too little production
Diversion furrows
Yes, facilitates good
infiltration
Only works when you have lots of water and need to
learn to use line levels to make them
Rainwater harvesting
Yes, we use 210l drums
and basins
Not very much water saved need to think of ways to
increase this
Eco-circle
Yes, works well
Hard work, but it lasts and gives good quality crops
Tunnel
Yes, works well
No one has tunnels as it requires lots of money
Liquid manure
Might work
One has tried using aloe and soak in water before use
then spray on the crops and soil on tomatoes.
Planting of herbs
Yes, it might work
The herbs will also be used for pest control.
Trench beds
Yes, it might work
No one hasever tried trench beds but they are familiar
with pit compost that they have been using.
A short discussion was also held around the question: What do we need to do that will make a bigger
impact in our lives to adapt to CC?
They need bigger storage tanks- we are not presently saving enough rainwater
Due toa lack of employmentgetting inputs isa challenge. We need to use our own labour
and local resources, maybe savings groups can help, but also need assistance
Practical demonstration of practices will help them remember, understand better and
implement more of the ideas mentioned.
They would also like tohave tunnels in their gardens, but because theyareunemployed,
they can’t afford to buy them, they would like Mahlathini to assist with getting tunnels.
5.2.Practices
Discussion on the adaptive measuresto CC impacts leadsin to a discussion of possible practices (local
and new ideas) that can help with these issues. This is supported by having pictures and descriptions of
a range of potential practices available and discussing those that make sense.
In this case it was alsosupported by a community walk to participants who volunteered their gardens;
doing interesting things trying innovative techniques etc.
PRACTICESWE AREALREADY FAMILIAR WITH: mulching, furrows and ridges, intercropping, planting herbs,
diversification (or different kinds of crops planted together), small dams
Further comments made by the group include:
Earth dams are dangerous for children
Jo-Jo tanks are expensive - participants are using 210l tanks for water storage
Hybrid seeds are expensive and unreasonable even though they have given very positive results.
Participants struggle with water hence small gardens.
They mostly plant common vegetable and fruit trees to be able to sell locally and eat with their
families.
They have pest problems, mostly aphids, cut worms and birds.
PRACTICESGLEANED FROM COMMUNITY WALK: small earth dams, planting herbs like lemon grass, planting
and keeping seed of traditional crops such as Bambara groundnuts and cowpeas, collecting water from
21
the riverintosmall dams in their fields for irrigation, management of mango trees by some pruning,
planting green beans under shade of treesrather than sugar beans as the latter does not pod well in the
shade. Bees for pollination and talking about bee fodder plants, drip irrigation for saving waterand
diversion furrows for protecting soil and crops
Figure 10: Local
innovations:
Clockwise from top
left: Using maize
stalks to protect
seedlings from bird
damage, planting
sweet potatoes in a
furrow and ridges
system, a cement
dam constructed
storing water during
the rainy season and
a well dug out for a
spring in a garden
for irrigation
Figure 11: Top left: Mr Nelson Moeng’s furrow and ridge system for tomato production – the interesting point is
that he has planted in the furrow, rather than on top of the ridges as most other people do. Top right: His cut off
Jo-Jo tank for water storage for irrigation and Bottom left: Piet Marabo also plants tomatoes, which he sells
locally and through and arrangement with PARMA nursery. He has also started a mango orchard.
PRACTICESCHOSEN FROM NEW IDEAS: Tunnels,underground tanks, and bigger rainwater harvesting
structures more generally, drip kits, growing fodder for livestock, conservation agriculture, furrows and
ridges, shallow trenches, natural pest and disease control, seed saving and savings groups
We would like to see practical demonstrations of these practices as just talking about them briefly is not
enough for us to go and try them.
22
FURTHER COMMENTS ON PRACTICES:
We want more information on planting dates: We have already adapted to some extent, especially with
the crops that are possible for summer. We are however battling with the winter crops- they arenot
doing well, bolting early etc. We want to know about winter vegetables that can deal withdrought and
variable temperatures. But with some of these new vegetables we are not used to eating them and do
not know good cooking practices- so we may grow thembut then we don’t use them. Also, with the new
crops, new pests come in that we don’t know how to deal with. We’vebeen taught about using black
jack seeds and sunlight soap. We need more remedies for different situations.
Some examples discussedwere;turnips, leeks, open headed cabbages and leaf cabbages, rape,kale,
kohlrabies, mustard spinach and Chinese cabbage.
5.3.Criteria for assessing practices
Availability of material
Water use efficiency (increased water infiltration and water holding capacity)
Increased availability of water
Costs (cost efficiency, cost-benefit)
Labour (labour vs benefit)
Crop quality (germination, growth)
Fewer pests
The beginnings of a matrix ranking exercise was put together to give people an idea of theprocess,
which would be followed up in subsequent sessions
Practice
Availability
of
materials
Water
use
efficiency
Increased
water
Cost
labour
Crop
quality
Fewer
pests
Score
Tower garden
2
3
1
2
3
3
3
17
Eco circle
3
3
1
3
2
3
3
18
Underground tanks
1
3
3
1
1
3
3
15
Trench bed
3
3
1
3
1
3
3
17
Liquid manure
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
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Mulching
2
3
1
3
3
3
2
17
Tunnels
1
2
2
1
2
3
3
14
Diversion furrow
3
3
1
3
1
3
2
16
Shallow trench bed
3
2
2
3
2
3
2
17
COMMENTS ON THE MATRIX
Eco-circles are the practice that most participants have tried
Underground tanks are not really done as they are expensive and difficult to do. They do
however have a huge potential to make a significant difference
Savings groups could be a way to help with the issue of money
The matrix is a very useful method for decision making
It is good to do a number of different things
The more knowledgeable participants will help the others to try these practices.
5Progress for main activities
5.1Learning and implementation
23
Written by Betty Maimela
A number of learning and mentoring sessions were conducted during this period including:
Soil fertility, eco-circles and trench beds; Santeng, Willows, Worcester, Turkey 4
Mandala beds: Sedawa, Turkey (Sylvester Nzimande: Permaculture trainer)
Tower gardens; Turkey 4, Worcester
Tunnel construction: Santeng, Turkey 1 and 2, Willows,
CA introduction and experimentation: Sedawa, Turkey 1 and 2
Mandala Beds
DATE: 22 July Sedawa, 23 July Turkey
VENUES: MMakopile Seotlo (Sedawa), Isaac Malatji (Turkey)
PARTICIPANTS: Sedawa (28), Turkey (36)
Figure 12: The Sedawa (top) and
Turkey (bottom) workshops led by
Syvlester Nzimande
Introduction
Mandala beds wereintroduced
to farmers during themango
training workshop at Hoedspruit
Hub and upon request was the
introduced to them by Sylvester
Nzimande, a Permaculture
specialist who has implemented
Mandala beds at the Hub.
Mandala beds are another
strategy thatsmallholders can
use for soil and water
conservation in their gardens. It
is agood strategy for in-field
rain water harvesting and for
improving water infiltration.
Preparation for the workshops
consisted of collecting tools, as
well as mulch, grass (a grass
bale was procured and used),
manure and also in buying some
seedlings at PARMA nurseryfor
planting in the beds.
Mandalabed layout
Sylvesterexplained to participants that it is important totake into consideration the slope of their
homestead to make it easier to channel water into the mandala bed.The bed isdesigned to slow down
runoff water in the spiral leading to the centre and allow for increased water infiltration. The pit in the
centrecan be used as compost pit or for planting a fruit tree thatwill provide shade for plants during
extreme hot weather. Mulching the beds themselves as well as thesides of ridges is important to
conserve moisture and keep the soil cool.
Below is a description of the steps involved.
1. The centre is marked out as a 1m diameter circle using a spade.
2. This is then dug out as a shallow pit
24
3. A circular path is created 50cm wide) while scooping the soil into a bed (1m wide)
4. Further circular paths and beds are created in an ever-widening circle, depending on the amount of
space available.
5. The soil in the beds is thoroughly mixed with manure and then mulched prior to planting.
6: Trans-planting of seedlings in the beds. In each bed they planted Swisschard spinach, onions, beetroot
basil, spring onion and parsley.
7. carefully watering beds with as much water as possible.
Figure 13: Clockwise from top: marking the centre of the bed with spades and then digging out a shallow pit,
making the first path and circular bed and then expanding the Mandala bed by adding a second circular bed
around the first.
25
Figure 14: Clockwise from Top left: Adding manure to be working in once4 “ring” beds have been created,
mulching the beds, planting seedlings and watering.
Reflection
Farmers were happy to learn a new practice that adds to all the CCA practices they have implemented
in their gardens. Mostly farmers showed that they love the practice, as it is a good method for both soil
and water management and a lot easier to do than trench beds.
Follow-up and monitoring of Mandala beds
In Turkey the bed made in Mr Malatji’s homestead has not fared well, primarily due to lack of water
and extreme shortages of water in the village. Consequently, none of the participants have attempted
these beds in their homesteads. In Sedawa, thebed demonstrated at Mmakopile’s homestead has done
well. In addition, a number of participants have tried out mandala beds in their gardens.
Figure 15” Left; the Mandala bed at Isaac’s homestead, struggling due to a lack of water and Right: The bed at
Mmakopile’s homestead, showing good growth
26
Participants from Sedawa loved the practice and they implemented the practice after the training
demonstration; more especially farmers that still have space in their garden. Esinah started using the
space that she has in her household by doing small mandala beds in her garden and planting different
crops. Frida Thobejane and Meisie Mokwena also implemented the practice in their gardens.
Figure 16: Esinah Malepe implemented the practice in her garden. She planted spring onions, peas, lettuce and
flat leaf parsley. She collected chicken and kraal manure and mixed it well with the soil and used dry grass that
she collected to mulch.
From her observations the practice is very easy to implement and mulching assists with keeping the soil
moist and reducing the rate of
evaporation during extreme
heat, but without water the
practice is no use as it requires
lot of water. She is waiting to
make a large mandala bed until
there is enough waterto
irrigate.
Figure 17: Even in water shortages,
Esinah manages to grow fresh
produce in her garden, the trick is
to fertile her soil and mulch as
much as she can. Her produce looks
good and shows no sign of wilting
and drying.
27
Christina Thobejane, the local facilitator for Sedawa also implemented the practice in her garden. Her
garden occupies allthespace in her homestead and she managed to squeeze a mandala bed where she
had a little space left, planting Swiss chard spinach, kale and cabbage. She used dry leaves for mulching
and uses a hose pipe for irrigating.
Figure 18: Mandala bed at Christina (top
left and right) and Frida’s(bottom left) households
Tower gardens
DATE: 01 September Turkey 4, 03 September Worcester
VENUES: Turkey 4 (Motheto Maake’s homestead) and Worcester (Naume Manaso’ s homestead).
PARTICIPANTS: Turkey 4 (18), Worcester (15)
Introduction
Towergardens are a good practise for intensive production in a small space, for saving water and for
management ofgrey water use. They are specifically designed to be a vertical garden, that makes the
best use of greywater and are easy to maintain once constructed.
The beds consist of a fertile soil mixture (six wheelbarrows of top soil, 4 wheelbarrows of kraal manure
and two wheelbarrows of wood ash), with a porous core made down the centre to ensure even water
distribution throughout the soil mass. Vegetables are planted through holes made in thesides of the
tower garden,and on the top surface. Tower Gardens can be made anywhere conveniently close toa
home, for instance outside the kitchen door. This makes it easy towaterwith grey water from the kitchen,
and makes it possible to pick vegetableseven during the cooking process. Anyone can make thesegardens,
but they are particularly useful for older or vulnerable people,as one does not need to walk far, nor
bend down a lot. A well-maintained tower garden could yield vegetables winter and summer for at least
three years.
28
Figure 19: Participants from Worcester are mixing both top soil, wood ash and goat manure together before
transferring to the sack that is sewed together on four poles.
How to make a tower garden?
A Tower Garden can be constructed from shade-netting (orother available cloth), four poles, soil,
kraal manure and wood ash. Farmers collected kraal manure, wood ash and top soil. Betty brought
along four poles, shade netting, a bottomless bucket and seedlings (Swiss chard spinach, parsley and
basil). The poles were planted upright in the ground, the shade cloth was wrapped around the poles
and the ends were sewed together with a nylon string.
Figure 20:Philimon Tshetlha and Betty are sewing the shade-netting on the poles at Turkey 4.
Then the cloth was rolled down the poles, while other participants were mixing the soil, kraal manure
and wood ash together. A bottomless bucket was placed in the centre of the tower garden and gravel
was filled in the bucket and the first layer of mixed soil is added around the bucket. This process was
repeated until the whole tower was built.
Figure 21: Indicates the steps in
terms of filling the bottomless
bucket with gravel, filling in the
bag around the central column
with the soil mixture and
building up the tower in t
stepwise manner from there.
Farmers from Turkey 2 have
attended the tower garden
workshop beforeand one
farmer indicated that gravel
or broken up concrete works
much better than small
stones as the water seeps into
the bed much more slowlyin
this way and none is lost
through percolation through the bottom of the tower.
29
Then small holes are made in the sides of the tower and seedlings are planted both into the sides of the
tower and into the small bed on top. Irrigation is done throughpouring water into the central column.
Watering needs to be done at least twice a week, to ensure that the tower remains moist. If it dries out,
it is difficult to re-wet.
Figure 22:The pictures indicate planting into the sides and top of the tower garden and irrigating into the central
column, during the Turkey 4 learning workshop
The tower garden should be used continuously. The tower would need enough sunlight for vegetables to
thrive, but when it is very hot it can be beneficial to cover the tower garden with a simple shade cloth
structure, or place it next to a tree for partial shade during the day. It is ideal for leafy crops, typically
the various varieties of spinach.Tomatoes and onions can be planted in the top layer.
Figure 23:The above pictures indicate the same process of building the tower, planting
seedlings and irrigating for the Worcester learning workshop.
5.1.2.3 Reflection
Figure 24: A tower garden that was done in Turkey 2 at Nkurwane Shaai’s homestead. The
tower gets enough and shade from the mango tree, but because of extreme weather, he
also put shade netting over the top.
Below are comments made by a selection of workshop participants:
30
Rosina Maanaso- The training workshop was very good. She is old and she prefers implementing
the tower garden in herhomestead, because it requires less labour and materials are easy to
find.
Aniki Mmola- after implementing trench beds for soil fertility she will also implement the tower
garden and use greywater for irrigation, since they buy water for both irrigating their small
garden and consumption.
Philimon Tshetlha- the practice is easy and less labour intensive. One can collect materials like
shade-netting, kraalmanure, wood ashand top soil. He will planthisown seeds that he will
transplant to the tower garden.
Melita Malatji- The practice is verygood and it can be implemented by everyone old or young,
because it is less labour intensive.
Mothelo Maake The workshop was a success and she was very happy for having a tower garden.
It encourages herto grow her garden since she has water that she collected from the mountain.
She will also make sure that her gate is always closed to protect her crops from being eaten by
goats.
Soil fertility, eco circles and trench beds
DATE: 07, 09 and 16 September turkey 1, 2, and 4
VENUES: Moses Mogofe (Turkey 1), Shaai Piet (Turkey 2) and Philimon Tshetlha (Turkey 4).
PARTICIPANTS: Turkey 1 (24), 2 (18), 4 (34)
Introduction
The learning groups in Turkey 1 and 2 are well established but as new members have joined since the
beginning of the year, the group requested a re-run of some of the sessions including the five fingers
principles and learning demonstrations o of some of the practices such as trench beds and eco-circles.
Members from the new group in turkey 4 also joined these sessions.
These practices are important for members as they make the most of what little water they do have. In
Turkey 2, There is now the group- based borehole water scheme. In the other two villages participants
rely on very sporadic municipal water supply and a few are involved in community- based groups who
lead water from the mountains in pipes. This water is becoming unreliable and unfortunately the
arrangements are fraught with conflict.
The learning groups started by helping each to do trench beds and eco-circle. They started by assisting
Moses Mogofe by doing an eco-circle in his homestead where they planted beetroot, spinach and spring
onions. During demonstration farmers also showed Moses how to do furrows and ridges along the garden
to control water movement in his garden.
Community level Eco-Circle Demonstration
Participants changed the size of the eco-circle (made it much larger) and also added fourx 2l bottles in
the centre to be able to distribute water in the bed. Their reasons were as follows;
1.Eco-circles are very good and have shown to produce quality food and are easy to implement in
their garden as it requires less labour.
2.Some of the group members are old and digging an eco-circle is not as hard as digging a trench
beds and collecting allthe materials needed to fill the trench bed. An eco-circle requires fewer
materials and one can have many eco-circles in the garden.
3.Increasing the size means increasing food production.
The series of pictures below provide a sense of the process.
31
Figure 25Clockwise from top left: the group digging thee eco-circles, placing grass in the bottom of the circle,
covering that with a mixture of topsoil and goat manure , watering the bed and planting the two bottles, with
holes drilled into them in the centre for irrigation. left: Figure 1: Below farmers started with marking the size of
the eco-circle and started digging separating top soil. The hole was made a knee deep.
After the insertion of the irrigation bottles, the process is followed again, by a second layer of grass
and mixture of topsoil and goat manure on top, prior to placing stones around the edges and planting
seeds the bed.
Figure 26: Above left: The group planting seed in the completed eco-circle and thefinal bed, watered and with a
ring of stones placed around the edge.
Moses was asked to look for more dry materials to mulch to protect the seeds from birds and extreme
heat, which he failed to do. This unfortunately meant zero germination of the seed planted as shown in
the picture alongside, taken around 3 weeks later.
Trench bedsdemonstrations
32
Trench bed demonstrations were done in Turkey 2 and Turkey 4 on two different days. On both days’
new members were supported by existing members in the group and the MDF facilitators to dig and pack
their trench beds. In Turkey 2, old fish tins were collected at a nearby school,dry materials were
available and kraal manure was alsocollected from neighbours. Piet Shaai is one of the local farmers
that collected water from the mountains which he sells tolocal people. He also hasa mango orchard
where he planted a variety of mango trees from Shelly, Tommy Atkins, Kiet, Kent and Sensation, together
with orange trees and paw-paw trees.
A trench bed was done and the
following seeds were planted;
marigold, beetroot, spinach and spring
onions.
Piet Shaai, had tried a trench bed by
himself, but did not ask advice on how
to pack the bed. He mixed branches,
leaves and tins all together in the bed.
The group decided to remove these and
start again.
Figure 27: Top: group members collecting
old tinsat the school and Bottom: Placing
the tins in the bottom of the 6m trench on
top of a layer of branches and sticks.
They followed withthe suggested
layers; green materials (leaves), dry
material leaves and grass, manure and
soil placed in layers until the trench
is filled. This iswateredthoroughly at
each stage, and then can be planted to
seed. The sequence is shown in the
figure below
Figure 28: from Left to Right: Layers of wet material, dry grass, manure and soil are used to fill the trench. It is
then water well prior to planting of seed.
Piet did the trench beds in between the trees in the orchard which decrease the amount of heat.
5.1.3.3.1Results after three weeks
33
Garden monitoring after three weeks indicated good germination of the seeds and Piet also transplanted
some ofthe seedlings to his furrow and ridges, next to the trench bed. Piet and his wife filled the second
trench bed on their own.
Piet is used to planting using the furrow and ridge system. He has however now adapted this system by
digging shallow trenches, filled with dry materials and a mix of soil and manure. He has planted tomato
seedlings bought at PARMA nursery in these furrows and loves the results. This is a good example of local
adaptive capacity and
innovation, building on
concepts internalized in
the learning sessions.
Figure 29: The picture shows
the resultsof the furrow
system that Piet
implemented in his garden.
He has also installed a drip
irrigation system on the
ridges
In Turkey 4 at Philemon’s
homestead, participants
assisted inn digging the 6m
long trenches,as well as
collecting tine, dry and green materials and manure. It is a testament to the coherence of this group to
see the high level of cooperation between participants and their willingness to assist each other in these
ways is considered an important aspect of building social agency.
At Philemon’s house hold
participants started by
measuring for a trench
bed, then started digging
a trench bed.
Participants came in
numbers to assist. While
other participants were
digging, others collected
materials like tin fish,
dry materials, wet
materials and kraal
manure because the ones
they collected were not
enough to fill a trench
bed.
Figure 30: Participants are
digging and filling the
trench bed
The soil is sandy and shows no signs of organic matter. are loved. Some participants have increased the
number of trench beds in their gardens due to the results they have seen from the first trench bed.
34
Philemon used shade netting to
enclose his trench bed after the
seeds were planted to protect the
seedlings from heat, birds and
chickens. Germination and growth
of seedlings was good.
Figure 31: Shows the result from the
trench bed, where Swiss chard
spinach and beetroot was planted
during the workshop.
5.3.3.2 Trench bed demonstration
at Mulalani
DATE: 08 September 2020
VENU: Mulalani (Dina Rahlano)
PARTICIPANTS: 25
1Introduction
Mulalani isone of thenew villages that we started working with andaftertheCCA introduction workshop
participants wanted tostart with trench beds, as they have seenthe results form these beds in other
villages. Dina Rahlano started digging her trench beds before the training nut she didn’t allow for the
pathways in between. The workshop was held to ensure correct implementation by all participants.
Figure 32: Dina combined all three trench beds which was not easy to fill, but she managed to collect all
materials with the help of MDF field workers and the larning group assised in packing her very large bed.
Participants should first look at the slope of the yard, wind direction, where onegets more sunshine,
rainfall,run-off and where they would liketohave their garden as these aspects are important for
consideration. Betty demonstrated measurements for each trench bed and the need to separate top soil
from sub-soil. Betty continued todemonstrate toparticipants howto fill a trench bed, with all
participants working with her. Materials needed to fill the trench bed are as follows:
35
1.Tin fish
2.Old bones
3.Dry grass
4.Wet green materials
5.Manure
A trench bed is a way to increase soil fertility and water holding in your beds andgarden. It is an intensive
way of providing good soil for vegetables production on a small scale, which involves digging a hole and
filling it with organic matter, so that your bed can be fertile for a long time.
Follow up after training demonstration Workshop
Figure 33: Pictures show all steps to fill
the trench bed with Mulalani participants;
More than6 participants started with
digging trench beds and filling them.
Tunnel construction
Learning group participants eligible for tunnels were required to dig,pack and plant their trench beds,
prior totunnels being constructed. A process was used where local facilitators and participants form
othervillages already familiar with the construction oftunnels supported the new learning group to
implement thetunnels. In this way the first 20 tunnels ordered have all been put up.The list ofrecipients
is presented in Appendix 8.3
In addition, a group of youth who have been active in assisting with tunnel construction have now been
trained up to take the process forward.
Garden Monitoring at Santeng follow upafter soil fertility workshops and tunnel
construction
The Santeng learning groupis new and they are well supportedby their local facilitator Nomsa Mafologela.
Most of thegroup members arefemales who are heads of their households and unemployed. They depend
on child support grants to feed their families and buy water. There is a major water crisis in this village
and the only available waterneeds tobe bought.The learning group took it upon themselves todo
gardens in their households so they can sell fresh produce locally and to available markets. The group
helped each other with digging trench beds and fillingthem with all materials needed for soil fertility
with the help offield workers Betty and Thembani from MDF.
Tunnel construction training with the learning groupofSanteng started after garden monitoring was done
to ensure that thewomen are activelygardening before constructing the tunnels. Tunnel construction
demonstration started at the local facilitator’s garden where a group of women were joined by Thapelo
36
Mmola a young man from Worcesterwho wants to try digging trench beds in his garden and get a tunnel
demonstration for his community. In addition, Christina Thobejane and Magdalena Malepe from Sedawa
joined the group to assist in the tunnel construction and train the group
Figure 34: Images of trench beds and production in a selection of the Santeng gardens
The group worked together to learn the steps, in terms of measuring where the tunnel wouldgo, digging
the small holes for inserting the arches, sewing the different portions of the tunnel together and sewing
these onto thearches and thenerecting the tunnel. The pictures below provide a snapshot of the process
Figure 35: Clockwise from top left Bending the arches using a metal jig, sewing the side panels of the tunnel
together, sewing the doo and attaching this to the arches anderecting the arches prior to putting the main net
structure over them.
37
Participants were quick tolearn, but as much as participants are happy tohave thetunnels, they are
happier about being able tosell their crops in the community and aboutthesupport theyare getting
from the villagers. Florence Mashego also explained that since she started farming in her household
people from the community come and buy and she now knows which Morogo is most preferred in her
community. With the money she makes she is able to buy electricity and buy some food like sugar, fish,
cooking oil and maize meal. She even takes a wheelbarrow of produce around her community. In a day
she can make R100.00 to R150.00.
Figure 36: Florence’s garden. Thembani is recording produce to add to the database of farmers selling produce.
After theinitial demonstrationtunnel, construction continued as participants were ready for the process.
A total of eight (8) tunnels have been constructed in Santeng.
38
Figure 37: Snapshots of tunnels being constructed in different homesteads in Santeng.
A similar process was followed in all other villages where tunnels were constructed.
5.4.2 Tunnel Constructions training workshop with tunnel construction team October
Tunnels have been constructed byMDF facilitators, Christina Thobejane, Alex Mogopa and Magdalena
Malepe transferring skills to the recipients. All learning group members in the village attend the tunnel
construction training workshops, so that the skill is transferred to all participants and they can continue
without MDF facilitators.
A team oflocal youth who
have been active were
trained up to continue the
tunnel construction in the
new villages, going into the
future. There are still 15
tunnels to be done in
Willows, Turkey, Madeira
and Worcester.
Figure 38: First tunnel
construction training
workshop with the team at
Santeng at Fenita’s
household.
Per village two participants (Willows, Santeng, Turkey, Sedawa) whoare reliable, work hard and have
some experience were chosen to be part of the team, their names are as follows;
1.Magdalena Malepe (Chairperson-she has more experience since from 2017, she’s been
constructing tunnels, assisting in other villages. She is responsible for organising and making sure
that all members in the team report to work on chosen day. She is responsible for liaising MDF
facilitators with the team)
2.Masight Mahlaku He will be assisting Magdalena
3.Frida Kgohlwane
4.Lethabo Malepe
5.Lawrence Motshana
6.Magalangake Mogale
7.Masekane Shaai
8.Sebatane Samson
9.Thapelo Mmola
10.Aniki Mmola
The first training was done with four local facilitators from Sedawa, Santeng, Willows and Turkeyand
MDF facilitators. The first Tunnel was constructed at Santeng at Fenita’s homestead. A record book (with
names and contacts of all members) and attendance registers aregiven to the chair-person too keep
record of all tunnels constructed.
Market progress: Hlokomela, K2C, Hoedspruit farmers market and
Kamogelo market
Written by Betty Maimela
39
Hlokomela is a Non-profit organization that is a well-respected role player in the health and well-being
of the local community serving about 6 000 people annually(direct and indirect beneficiaries). During
lockdown Hlokomela started a fundraising initiative called theHoedspruit Training Trust; which hasbeen
set up to support vulnerable community members with whole-foods (Fresh herbs, vegetables &fruits, and
some grains) and essential product (toiletries, household goods) baskets. The trust is mobilising to help
fight the spread of CoronaVirus in the greater Kruger to Canyons Biosphere area. This area is home to
many rural communities already fighting a wide range of immune deficiencies like HIV, TB and diabetes
Hlokomela reachedout to farmersworking with MahlathiniDevelopment Foundation and other farmers
from Acornhoek to buy fresh produce from them every week to include in the food baskets, of which 100
were being distributed on a weekly basis. Farmers working with Mahlathini havebeen well placed to
supply fresh vegetables for the food baskets, as they continued farming during lockdown and a number
of farmers increased their production, noting the surge of demand for locallyproduced food.Farmers
have planted and are selling, the following vegetables: Mustard spinach also referred toas Morogo,
beetroot, onions, cabbage, kale, tomatoes, green beans, sugar beans, spring onions, sweet potatoes and
butternut. Mahlathini is assisting farmers with transportation of fresh produce to Hlokomela every week
and distributing cash backtothe farmers accordingly. Farmers started participating in theHlokomela
Hoedspruit Training Trust towards the end of May and continued until the end of September, when the
food parcels were discontinued.
K2C is also one of the partners that is working with Mahlathini Development Foundation through the FrFr
(From the region for the region) project. The project is designed tosupport SMME’s in the Kruger2Canyons
Biosphere Region to undertake sustainable business practices and in return they assist them with access
to market. This involves both the informal market in towns and villages as well as themore formal
markets supplying to lodges, restaurants and fresh produces supply stores.
Their support structures include: business management training, financial management and mentoring.
Ultimately creating an all-inclusive green circular economy in the Kruger 2 Canyon Biosphere Region. At
the moment orders are not a lot but makea difference for farmers, in a week we run three orders in
separate days and Mahlathini assists with liaising between farmers and K2C and also with delivery.
40
Through K2C MDF is now also assisting farmers with selling their produce at Hoedspruit farmers market
and Kamogelo market which just started. Farmers participated at Hoedspruit farmers market in the first
week of October,
when the market
started again, after
being stopped during
lockdown. Farmers
used their Tala table
(greentable), which
was issued during a
PGS training
workshop, as a
display to indicate
that all produce on
the table is
organically grown.
Figure 39: Hoedspruit
farmers market on the
3rd of October, where
a Tala table was used
for the first time
displaying organic
grown fresh produce at
Khaya Ndlovu.
See appendix 8.4.1 and 8.4.2 of all farmers who participate at all these markets and the produce they
are selling.
Reflection
Being able to sell locally produced vegetables through Hlokomela and the Hoedspruit Trust has been of
great help to the smallholder farmers who have surplus. They are also selling in their villages, but this
short-term market has provided a very welcome boost to their sales and has also allowed them to sell
vegetables for which there is not a high demand in their villages, such as green beans.
PGS training; Sessions 2 and 3
Written by Thembani Mabunda
An outline of the PGS process is provided in Appendix 1.
The process has been designed to have 6 sessions orsteps/phases, to introduce the participants to the
principles, rules and processes involved in a peer group PGSprocess. These workshops are hosted jointly
by AWARD and MDF, both members of the Hoedspruit PGS, to allow for smallholder farmers to enter into
this process. Initially it was decided to support Sedawa/ Mametja and turkey in this process and to train
10 members from each group. These numbers have been relaxed somewhat due to pressure within the
groups for more people to be involved.
PGS session 2: PGS process and assessment introduction
41
DATE: 5 August 2020 (Sedawa/Mametja), 6 August 2020 (Turkey)
ATTENDANCE: Sedawa / Mametja (17), Turkey (10)
WORKSHOP OUTLINE:
The rationale of introducing the PGS is tosupport farmers to continue producing organic produce, for
them to be able to form networks where they can be able to help each other in organic farming, to have
an identity (Sharing of principles and resolving problems), skill (farming better using the five fingers of
Agroecology), and marketing opportunities (Being able to sell their organic produce locally and in shops
around their geographical location e.g. Pick n Pay and Lebamba).
The social development partnership process was defined anddiscussed according to the diagram depicted
in the figure below
42
Figure 40: The Social development partnership as envisaged for the PGS groups
Discussion of the elements is summarized below:
Identity
Identity holds the group together and it is an interface of the community and the outside
world.
Identity is the basis of cooperation and collective action.
This will help resolve problems within a network.
Representation (strong identity will enable a group to engage with the outside world and
present itself in a particular way).
Skill
Developing Financial and health management skills
Practicing the Five fingers for Agroecology
Agencies
Running a profitable business of organic produce as well as interact with social structures and
organisations. E.g. DoA and local government.
Commitment
Being part of a PGS group requires commitment form the participating individuals.
Network
Developing agroecology network.
Democratic process- farmers are encouraged to choose their own governing principles
Network of peer review- criteria
Geographically base
Self-organisation
Guide the clusters of farmers towards improved self-organisation. Self-organisation is an
important basis for solving local problems and for ensuring sustainability of the food production
process.
Self-organisation usually requires that there is some form of leadership within the group
Five Finger principles
Before getting into the PGS principles, the Five Fingers were refreshed to also indicate to farmers that
PGS is similar to the principles;
1.Water Management- Practice good water management to enhance soil moisture and limit water
movement.
2.Limit to soil movement- Adopt practices that limit soil movement.
SDP
Skill
Identity
Job
market
Network
commit
ment
Self-
organas
ation
Agencies
43
3.Crop management for diversity- manage your crops for diversity, location and sustainability.
4.Build soil health- Adopt practices that build and maintain soil health.
5.Maintain indigenous plants- Protect and maintain indigenous plants as part of your farming
practice.
Figure 41: Sedawa and Mametja Groups discussing the five finger principles of agroecology.
Below is a summary of people who can belong to an organic PGS:
Farmers belonging to a PGS group should be growing organic vegetables. Farmers producing
livestock such as poultry, cattle, goat, and pigs organically can also from a PGS
People who are trading organic produce and also thosewhodo value addition such as pickles,
juices wine etc.
People who are producing organic compost, manure and soil fertility enhancement products can
also be members of a PGS
People who do PGS training can also belong to a group e.g. Derrick Du Toit, Bigboy Mkhabela and
Thembani Mabunda and
People who are making organic pest control remedies for farmers.
Participants in all the villages were also taken through what they need to do if they want to bepart of a
part of PGS group and also the benefits of becoming a PGS member;
Paying a membershipfee- PGS Hoedspruit still have to agree on anamount that a farmer can
afford.
Call the PGS Hoedspruit to come do an annual assessment of the organic enterprise. This is a
voluntary process and the farmer or enterprise owner can set the date forthe assessment. If the
44
enterprise meets the criteria for certification a certificate will be issued. If notrecommended
actions to ensure certification will be provided.
Farmers will get training when they become a member of a PGS.
Farmers will belong to a network or a family that people will recognise, helping each other with
issues such as transport, pest control, and markets.
Farmers will be able to sell organically certified produce to formal markets such as Pick n Pay or
Lebamba.
Derrick then explained how a participatoryguarantee system works, and that there are three levels of
‘guarantee”:
1.Just saying that products are organic (not a good guarantee).
2.Guarantee as a group, where the group does a peerassessment process and the group is also
assessed through their local PGS group (PGS Hoedspruit is number two), which provides for PGS
certification and
3.Getting someone to come guarantee (like an
inspector),which is a much more formal and
expensive process and leads toorganic
certification
Introducing the Tala Table (Green Table)(AWARD)
The tala tables were introduced as a tool to support the
new PGS groups in Sedawa/Mametja and Turkey to:
Help participants in selling their organic
produce,farmers will put organic produce on the
tala table when selling. Non organic produce will
not be allowed. It is a way of informing buyers
and the community about organics and the
potential benefits of buying organic produce.
Figure 42: Tala tables provided to the Turkey and Sedawa/
Mametja PGS groups
Participants were then given time to engage on how
they will take care ofthe table and how they will use
it:
Sedawa Tala Table
Mametja (Mabins) Tala
table
Turkey Tala Table
Table keeper: Christina Thobejane
Use: They will use the table to sell
organic produce and they will go
with the table wherever they will
be selling their produce. They will
also use it in their Month-Month
Savings Meetings
Table keeper: Drona
Morema
Use: They will use their
table to put their organic
produce when selling and
they will use it when they
have meetings for organic
produce.
Table keeper: Lydia shai
Use: Packing organic vegetable
and it can be used by individuals
to sell their produce.
45
“Thank you very much for the Tala Table, we seethat weareprogressing and achieving more as farmers,
thank you to AWARD and MDF”- Malepe Magdalene, one of the Sedawa farmers.
Certification (Stickers)
Qualifying farmers will get certificates after the assessment by PGS Hoedspruit. Farmers weremade
aware that the assessment will be done looking at the assessment toolwhich includes theFive fingers
principles. The significance of the certification (stickers) are as follows;
Farmers will then use the stickers on their produce meaning that they would havemet the
minimum requirement of being organic farmers and producing organic produce.
This will allow farmers to sell their produce in shops around their geographical location that
only allows organic produce.
Figure 43: The Turkey group being showed the certificate ofPGS and also being told thevital role ofthecertificate.
THE PGS ASSESSMENT FORM
SEDAWA
This was introduced, explained and then one farmer was used as an example for each of thevillages.
It was explained that the certification is
presently for individuals, working together as a
group and that discussions with PGS Hoedspruit
would need to be undertaken tosee if a group
certification would be possible if participants
want it. Christina Thobejane the LF, explained
that presently people work together in the group,
but they sell as individuals and that likely
participants would want to continuealongthese
lines.
Figure 44: The Sedawa PGS session 2 in progress
It was reiterated by Derick (AWARD0, that a
membership fee is payable, but that no tax is to be paid for getting the PGS certificate.
46
The participants were then showed how the assessment is done, using Christina’s garden as an example
forfarmers to see the process of assessing. Derrick chose three (3) participants to join him as judges
when assessing the garden, thejudges were using small papers of red (for poor), orange (for
ok/moderate), and green (for good). The judgeshad to give feedback according to how they see things
around the garden. Two ofthe sections in the assessment form were covered; namelywater management
and crop production. The form itself it long and contains around six sections that also includes packaging,
sanitising and cleaning, management of tools etc. These aspects will be considered in follow up
workshops and sessions. Only two criteria amongst othersfrom the assessing tool were used toassessthe
garden, which are water management and crop management.
Figure 45: Left: The Sedawa and Mametja group busy conducting thePGS Assessment in Christina’s
Garden. Right: the participants “judges” compiling the red, yellow and green cards for each category,
to summarize on the assessment sheet.
The small table below summaries theresults of thecombined assessment from Derick and thethree
participant ‘judges”
Table 4: PGS assessment summary for Christina’s garden (example)
Criteria
Assessment Feedback
Poor
OK
Good
Water Management
Water conservation, recycling and
rain water collected and uses
She uses an underground storage tank for rain
water harvesting.
0
1
4
Good water for irrigation practices
(Clean & no chemicals)
Her borehole has never been tested to insure
cleanand chemicals free water
4
1
0
Control run-off (don’t allow water to
leave land)
Water is controlled in her garden; some goes
into the underground storage tank shehas built
and some goes to her garden.
0
0
5
Keep water in the soil by mulching
and natural cover
There is mulch in Christina’s garden, although
the mulch isnot in all the parts of the garden
0
3
2
Crop management
Natural pest control
Christina has planted marry marigolds, chillies
and herbs to control pest.
0
0
5
Planting
She planted in beds and also has planted inside
her tunnel
0
0
5
47
After the assessment was conducted, it was explained that one looks at the number of red, yellow and
green stickers to decide on the assessment. As Christina received only four (4) red stickers and twenty -
one (21) green stickers, she would be eligible fora certificate as the assessment shows she is a strong
organic farmer. Farmers were also told that they do not have to leave the group if theydon’t get the
certificate when an assessment is done, they can still be a part of the group, learn and improve.
TURKEY
The initial practise run for the PGS assessment form was done in LydiaShaai’s garden.
Figure 46: The Turkey group busy conducting the PGS Assessment in Lydia’s Garden.
Table 5: Table showing assessment feedback from Lydia’s garden.
Criteria
Assessment Feedback
Poor
OK
Good
Water Management
Water conservation, recycling
and rain water collected and
use
She conserves water, she has an eco-circle in her
garden which conserve water and she uses an
irrigation bottle to water her plants.
0
1
3
Good water for irrigation
purposes (Clean & no
chemicals)
She uses a group borehole (MDF borehole), the
borehole has not yet been tested for water quality.
0
1
3
Control run-off (don’t allow
water to leave land)
Run-off is controlled but she can improve since
some of the water does not go into her garden.
0
1
3
Crop management
Natural pest control
She has planted herbs and chillies in her garden to
control pest.
0
1
3
Crop rotation
She doesn’t not often do crop rotation in her
garden
0
3
1
48
Figure 47: Judges busy giving Christina the green, orange, and red piece of papers according to the assessment.
Conclusion
Participants showed substantial interest in being part of the PGS groups. The assessments that were done
forthe two farmers showed thatthe farmershave beenfollowing the five finger principles of agro-
ecology,which means that most ofthe other farmers in the learning groups canbe considered tobe
equally ready for a PGS assessment. However, water quality is a challenge as participants cannot afford
to have their water sources and borehole water tested.
5.1.6.2.1PGS Session 3: Visioning and mapping
DATE: 16 September 2020 (Sedawa/Mametja), 17 September 2020 (Turkey)
ATTENDANCE: Sedawa / Mametja(17), Turkey (16)
WORKSHOP OUTLINE:
49
After the review and follow up on the PGS process cycle was done by Derick du Toit, Erna Kruger came
in and specified some of the PGS requirements to the participants. The two most crucial aspects of the
assessments aresoil and water quality. The PGS assessment team will lookat the quality ofthe soil,
checking if chemicals have not been applied and alsothe source of water for irrigation,hence water test
results will be required.
The soil quality for the participants is up to standard since they have been farming organically. Irrigation
water comes from a numberofsources: The municipality which is governing their communities, the group
based borehole installed with assistance from Mahlathini and rainwater harvesting.
Only the Sedawa participants uses the group -based borehole since funds were not available to doa
borehole for the Mametja participants. A water quality test has been done and results have finally been
received. There is a sectionfor chemical composition looking at possible inorganic contaminants and
another section outlining potential organic contaminants. The water quality elements for the organic
compounds in the test are as follows;
1.Coliform bacteria- Coliform bacteria are organisms that are present in the environment and in
the faeces of all warm-blooded animals and humans.
2.Faecal coliform- These are a sub-group of total coliform bacteria. They appear in great
quantities in the intestines and faeces of people and animals.
3.E-coli- This is a sub-group of the faecal coliform group. Most E. coli bacteria are found in
great quantities in the intestines of people and warm-blooded animals.
4.Heterotrophic plate count- Heterotrophs are a group of microorganisms (bacteria, moulds and
yeasts) that use organic carbon sources to grow.
Figure 318: This outlines the results for microbial analysis for the Sedawa learning group borehole
50
The microbiological analysis of the Sedawa participants (farmers) revealed that there is a high level of
coliform bacteria in the borehole water, which is above the required limit. The potential contaminant
is a bit of a mystery as the borehole is around
65m deep and it is very unlikely that faecal
contamination of water, be if from livestock or
humans can reach that depth. Nevertheless,
participants were advised not to use this water
for household purposes or washing of vegetables
for sale prior to sterilizing the water; either with
Jik or boiling the water prior to use. It was also
suggested that another test be done as the
contamination may have come in during
sampling.
Figure 49: Derick explaining some sources for
contamination of groundwater
In Turkey water sources were similar; a group based borehole, the municipality, rain water and local
springs/wells.
Figure 50: Turkey microbial analysis of the learning group borehole water
51
The microbiological analysis for the Turkey borehole indicated very good quality water, suitable for
production and household use.
Field Mapping
For the PGS assessments, participants are required tohave a map of their farming activities, outlining
garden beds, sizes and most importantly crops in the beds, so that any produce canbe traced back to
it’s specific bed. It is also important for recording crop rotation. The following are key aspects that one
needs to consider when mapping the field:
Decide on the Boundaries of your house/field.
Differentiate the front and back of your house/field.
Picture the house from above.
Draw everything that is around your house/field including the garden.
Look at your map and draw or show water flow around the house.
Name all the beds in your garden.
Measure all beds in your garden.
Specify what is planted on those beds.
Determine the direction of the sun to help in knowing the four main directions; North,
South, East and West (going clockwise).
Participants were given time to draw their field maps after being taken through the mapping process by
Erna Kruger.
Figure 51 Left: Magdelina Malepe form the Sedawa group doing her garden mapping process Right: Erna discussing
elements of the maps produced in plenary.
Maps were then present to the group in plenary to outline aspects that have been done well and those
requiring a bit more work. Maps are to be laminated and returned to the farmers to be used in the PGS.
Visioning
Workshop participants were asked what they wanted to achieve through their PGS process. Response
from three small group discussions in each workshop were then combined to provide the following list,
which can be seen as the beginnings of a vision for each group
52
Figure 52: Examples of participants working on their visioning cards in their small groups
Theme
Sedawa/Mametja vision elements
Turkey vision elements
Organic
production
ensuring that the group farms
organically
Ensuring that the group farms organically.
Production of healthy nutritious food
Certification
Organic certification (PGS)
Organic certification (PGS)
Marketing and
identity
Organic marketing and advertising
using the PGS symbols and stickers
Organic marketing and advertising using
the PGS symbols and stickers
Social cohesion
A way of working together and
communicating with each other and
building trust
Involving the youth in farming for future
farming practices
Expanding of the PGS and getting
more members
Share knowledge and advise each other
A way of working together and
communicating with each other and
building trust
Expanding of the PGS and getting more
members
Tools and
equipment
To assist with provision of water and
tools, procuring a vehicle for delivery
To assist with provision of water and
tools, procuring a vehicle for delivery
Smart phones to assist in the logistics
and marketing
Inputs
Water
Water
Procuring organic poultry and livestock
feed to include livestock into the PGS
Producing and procuring organic seeds
Money
Having a bank account for monies and
saving
A way to fight poverty and become rich
Reducing expenses in production
5.2Water committees
TURKEY: Monthly meetings (18 participants)
SEDAWA:18 July, 22 September (21 participants)
53
In Turkey a monthly meeting is held between the Ward committee and representatives of the water
committee to ensure smooth running of the process.Sedawa only have meetings when there
misunderstandings or when one of the participants wants to address participants.
Turkey borehole water progress update September 2020
Introduction
A meeting was held with waterexecutive committee and participants from Turkey 2 who are benefiting
from the borehole on the 14th of September. The purpose of the meeting was to talk about the
following:
How are farmers ensuring equal distribution amongst themselves?
What challenges are they facing?
Way forward
How are farmers ensuring equal distribution amongst themselves?
Nkurwane Shaai isthe chairman of the learning group. He said as the group benefiting water from the
borehole, they came together and have chosen Rackson Magobatlou and Alfred Machimane to be the ones
responsible for overseeing and ensuring that all participants get equal shares of water per section. The
group was divided into two sections and get water twice a week. Tofill their main 5000l Jo-Jo tank they
have to pump from six in the afternoon to six in the morning, which is 12 hours.
Along the way they had challenges and came together as a group to discuss how they will take turnsin
opening that valves and also going house to house to check the allocations. There was some
miscommunication and sometimes valves were opened before the tank was full, so some participants
didn’t get their allotted water. Participants each contribute twenty rand for electricity per month.
What challenges are they facing?
1.One of the major challenges that
Machimane came across is that
participants take more than their
allocated water. After they fill all
their storage facilities for the day
when he closes the calve to go
assist and ensure that the next
person does the same, they open
the valve again to take more
water.
2.Participants stopped working
together and started opening
water without the group knowing
3.Shadrack Masete- when they have to pump for section 1, there’s always miscommunication,
which leads to the tank being pumped half way and water not being enough for all
participants.
4.Portia- she was thinking that Violet Magobatlou is using water from the main tank without
people knowing, hence thetank is always found half or empty.
5.Petrous Tshetlha The tank was pump on their turn and the following day the tank was found
empty with no water. Norah Tshetlha explained that she never pumped the tank that day as
she was told that she shouldn’t pump.
54
6.Shai Nkurwane- The Jo-o was never filled, participants should stop saying water went missing,
Violet will never use water without letting the group know.
7.Mmatshego Shaai She thinks all pipes hold water more especially the pipe that takes water to
section 2, even if they kept theirvalves closed the entire pipe still has water that was
supposed to have been on their section pipe.
8.Nora Tshetlha She is the one facing challenges as she is the one responsible for pumping
water and ensuring that there is water in tank for participants. At first, she pumped water
from 6pm to 6am (which is 12 hours). Lately, Magobatlou call her late at night told that the
tank is full and she has to switch of, she does as she is told only to find half a tank in the
morning and she is always blamed. Violet calls Magobatlou instead of calling her regarding
pumping and switching off when the jo-jo tank is full instead of calling her. Again Violet
doesn’t even know that it takes 12 hours for the jo-jo to be full instead when she goes to sleep
she calls Magobatlou to switch of the plug. Nora continued to ask participants to write down a
schedule for pumping days and time so that she can use that regardless what people will say,
about the jo-jo being full.
2Way forward
1.A time table for Nora was done,which she is going to use with Mmatshego and herchildren,
because the family was starting toworry abouthow she was taking the challenges personal and
she is old to be worrying around.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Section 1
18:00pm
06:00am
No
pumping
No pumping
Section 2
18:00pm
06:00am
Section 2
18:00pm
06:00am
No
pumping
Section 1
18:00pm
06:00am
2.Participants also suggested that Violet Magobatlou, Mmatshego and Nora Tshetlha should
communicate with each other as they are all responsible for making sure that the tank is pumped
and the tank is full. The time table will also be given to Violet so she knows when the tank will
be filled and for how many hours.
5.2.2 Sedawa Borehole Water Progress
Agenda:
1.Water distribution and challenges in the water distribution
2.Solutions
1.Water distribution and challenges
Equal water distribution has been an issue from the start They didnotinitially sit together towork on
water allocations and assumed they could just use as much asthey needed/wanted. This has led to some
people leaving hosepipes running allday, while other got no water at all. Understandably thisled to
conflict.
Suggestions were then made to also pump for different sections (similar to the Turkey solution) on
different days and that a schedule should be made so that those responsible for pumping and filling the
main Jo-Jo tanks are aware, as well as those who need to open and close the valves along the road for
55
the different sections. Each section gets water twice a week. There have been issues with the schedule
due to load shedding. A suggestion was made the two days for each section not be consecutive. A further
suggestion was made to pump twice in a day, rather than just once.Magdelina Malepe who does the
pumping was not keen to have to pump every single day and sometimes more than once. It means that
she is completely tied to being there all the time and she has other responsibilities as well.
Participants also suggested increasing the volume of themain tanks from 10 000l. The stands for these
tanks are also slowlycollapsing under the weight of the tanks. At the moment it takes 3 hrs to fill the
two header tanks.
There were also issues with pipes leaking and the committee not knowing how to deal with this. People
alternately reported this to the local facilitator and the committee. The committee made it clear ot the
group thatthey aren’tthere to solve everyone’s problems, if there are leaks everyone has to work
together and decisions need to be made about contributions.
There was no clear arrangement regarding allocations in theory each participant gets 1000l twice a
week, but participants donot have ways to know how much that is. Theydid not buy Jo-Jo tanks for
themselves as suggested and fill smaller drums and containers.
Solutions suggested
1.Water will be opened on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Participants were grouped into 3 groups
with 6 to 7 participants in a group sharing 10 000 litres. This was done so that they can all know
how many they are in the group and who is in the group, so they are able to work together. This
also helps with water allocation which willbe 1666,66 per person.
2.Groups and name of people in the group:
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Triphina Malepe
Eric Malepe
Mmakopile Seotlo
Alex Mogopa
Lepekane Malepe
Nora Malepe
Meisie Mokwena
France Malatji
Taola Maphori
Lawrence Motshana
Masete Tasha
Esinah Malepe
Joyce Mahlaku
Nthara Seotlo
Lema Malepe
Joyce Seotlo
Refilwe Mogofe
Paul Maphori
Magdalena Malepe
3.Valves will be inserted at all points that divide the groups to be able to control water movement
and ensure that only the group that receives water isthe relevant group according to the
timetable. Participants from each group should work together to make sure thattheydon’t cheat
and leave valves open the whole day.
4.Participants decided to work together and contribute to electricity, and they discussed how they
should get their own electricity box so their electricity is not mixed with Magdalena’s electricity
units, it was also raised that they cannot do that now since Eskom is closed due to COVID-19.
5.Participants are to raise their concerns to the local facilitator regarding waterissues, so she can
be able to call a meeting with all participants benefiting from the borehole so all participants
are involved in solving challenges that they come across.
6.Fines should be implemented to all participants who are not obeying the rules discussed on the
constitution.
56
Follow- up meeting 22/09/2020
The participants had not done well in following the rules they made for themselves and a lot of conflict
ensued. Magdelina was mistreated by individuals who fought with her togive them water. The group was
reminded of theminutes of the July meeting and a formal apology was given to Magdelina by Nora Seotlo,
chosen as the representative by the group.
The group decided touse some of the funds in their bank account to build new standsfor the header
tanks and agreed theMr Maphekere would do that, assisted by Betty from Mahlathini in terms of the
quotes and transport ofthe steel. Magdalena remindedparticipants that they should not reducethe
height of the stands as the height is important for ensuring everyone can get the water, which is gravity
fed from these tanks,
Christina Thobejane reminded participants that they made a promise that they will assist group 1 with
their borehole. The questionwas raised due to some of the participants wanting to withdraw money
contributed towards building a stand for the third jo-jo tank. Meisie made it clear that theyare not
touching the money that was contributed by the group in case MDF does not find funding for the second
borehole. They can start contributing hundred rand every month to increase the money in the bank
Conclusion
The water project is new to both MDF and learning groups and there have been a number of challenges,
some ofwhich are easy to resolve, while other need the whole group to come together and agree. In
addition, participants have tended to forget the agreements they made and have not adhered tothe
rules. Participants have learnt the hard way that they need to build and maintain trust with each other
and respect the decisions they have made toensure smooth running of the process. They were a bit
dismayed at how much continued effort this needs.
5.3Village Savingsand Loan Associations (VSLAs) and
enterprise development
Written by Thembani Mabunda
Progresssummary
There are now 9 VSLAs in operation. The table below provides a summary of the groups.
Table 6: VSLA groups and membership for the RW CCA programme, October 2020
Village
VSLA Name
Female members
Male Members
Youth
Madeira
Hlalokang
13
0
0
Santeng
Rekakgona
13
0
0
Sedawa
Setshwa meetsi
16
3
3
Sedawa
Dikete dikete
17
2
16
Sedawa
Ikukeng
19
0
5
Turkey
Refentse
7
7
1
Turkey
Tswelapele
12
7
1
57
Willows
Epopeng
13
6
5
Worcester
Rutanang
18
1
0
Sub-totals
128
26
31
Total
154
From the table above, it can be seen that 85% of the membership are women.
The graph below provides an indication of savings as at end October 2020
Figure 53: A summary of savings for the 9 VSLA groups
From the above figure, three groups,Seshwa meetsi, Twselapele and Epopeng saved between R10 000
and R30 000 at the end of August 2020. For each group shares are R100 and eachindividual buys between
1 and 10 shares per month. These three groups started in April 2020 and members have shown a strong
commitment to saving.
Below are short summaries indicating progress and enterprise readiness within the VSLAs:
1.Setshwa meetsi learning Group (Sedawa)
This group has been showing keen management and interest in the VSLA, as theystarted their savings
and loans in march 2020, without any supervision and have continued strong since then.Currently, the
group has improved in terms ofunderstanding the VSLA model as supervision andsupport has been
provided to them. Some members have also started with enterprise development without anytraining.
Magdeline Malepe (account holder number 7) is a clear example of this since she has been busy
establishing her poultryproject (layer hens) with theloans that she has been taking from thegroup since
June 2020. Most members in the group are capable of doing enterprise development.
2.Epopeng Group (Willows)
The Epopeng group has also saved enthusiastically. This is also one of the groups which consists of both
young people (youth) and middle-aged members and the group does not have any problems in
58
understanding the model. They could benefit from sessions outlining the use of savingsfor productive
purposes, as presently most are using small loans for household use.
3.Rekakgona Group (Santeng)
Although the membership of this group is quite small (13 members), they have saved around R5 600 since
their inception in July2020. They understand themodel very well and can also conduct a savings meeting
without any supervision. Members of this group are active and energetic, and they can run a successful
project if they can be given guidance. They don’t wait fora markettobe brought to them. Recently
they have been harvesting their own vegetables and going door-to-door selling them. In every workshop
held, they always come with vegetables to sell to the members. In their last savings meeting they had
agreed to start buying each other JOJO tanks, starting from account holder number 1 to account holder
number 13.To archive this, allmembers agreed to take out R200 or R300 worth of loans each and start
buying each other tanks, repeating this process from month to month until account holder number 13.
4.Tswelapele & Refentse Groups (Turkey)
The two groups in Turkey village will benefit enterprise development training as both groups have some
strong members within them. In addition to the two savings group, there is a small group consisting of 5
members (Nkurwane Shai, Mmatshego Shaai, Lydia Shai, Norah Tshetlha, Dora Malepe and Sara Madire)
who started a savings group where they buy each other a 5000l jo-jo tank. The group started in March
beforelockdown but contributions started in May2020, contributing R500 each per month. Each
individual is given R6 000 towards buying ajo-jo tank, fittingsand pipes. Since they started theyhave
bought for three individuals which are Lydia Shai (October),Norah Tshetlha (August) andSara Madire
(June).
5.Individual members:
The following members of the groups mentioned below have shown a strong understanding of the
model amongst members who still need more support.
Rutanang Group (Worcester);
1.Naumi Maanaso: Chairperson of Rutanag group.
2.Magomane Mmatsatsi Victoria: Vice secretary of Rutanag group.
Hlalokang Group (Madeira);
1.Sewele Rosina: Secretary of Hlalokang group.
2.Thobejane Paulina: Vice secretary
Epopeng Group (Willows);
1.Kgaugelo Mahlako: Chairperson of Epopeng
2.Mogofe Hunadi: Moneycounter1
3.Shai Mokgadi: Money counter2
4.Lestwalo Motlatso Olga: Secretary of the Epopeng group
Rekakgona Group (Santeng)
1.Lehlwane Mobedudi Julia: Chairperson
2.Malepe Lethabo Mavis: Secretary
3.Kgohlwane Frida Matladi: Vice Secretary
4.Mafologele Nomsa Lonny: Money Box Keeper
A VSLA training session was done for the Madeira VLSA group, who had postponed thesession due to
COVID-19 infections in their vicinity and mentoring and support has been provided on a monthly basis at
the savings meetings for all groups. In addition, enterprise development training was undertaken for
three of the groups in October 2020
VSLA training session in Madeira
59
DATE: 14 July 2020
VENUE: Community hall
ATTENDANCE: 14 participants
WORKSHOP OUTLINE:
Key Item
Min
Responsible
COVID-19
Observe all COVID-19 public meetings protocols
ALL
START THE MEETING
1
Opening and
welcome
Observelocal protocols, prayers, introductions, etc.
10
BB/BM
2
Purpose of the
workshop
Duration of workshop (3.5 to 4 hours)
10
BB/BT
Expectations
Structure of the workshop
Goal and outcome of the workshop
3
Confirm Savings
Group
establishment
Recap keylearnings in meetings in February
15
BB/BT
Name of the groups
Size of the group
Management Committee
Value of a share
If they have started operating
4
Rules and
procedures
Goal of a Savings Group: Rules 1 to 3
60
ND/MD
Governance: Rules 4 to 11
Basic operations: Rules 12 to 18
Membership: Rules 19 to 25
Savings meeting procedure: Rules 47 to 56
Buying of shares: Rules 57 to 62
Taking and repaying of loans: Rules 63 to 76
Share-out procedures: Rules 77 to 80
Cooperative buying: Rules 81 to 82
Fines: Rules 83 to 85
General matters: Rules 86 to 90
Summary of non-negotiable rules: Rules 26 to 38
BREAK
5
Recording of
transactions
Operating tools (issue books)
30
ND/MD
Shares
Loans
Closing balances
6
Support, training
and supervision
Local/village- based supervision
30
ND/MD
Monthlysupervision, training and re-training
Skills workshops, e.g. enterprise development
Training of chairmen and secretariesworkshop
Share-out procedure training
Share-out meeting support
7
Next steps
Clarifications
15
BB/BT
Next savings meetings
Training of chairmen and secretariesworkshop
Enterprise development training workshops
CLOSURE AND REFRESHMENTS
The goalof the savings group was firstly outlined to the participantsas a financial support mechanism
that can enable to change their immediate financial challenges and also be able to buy their household
needs. Furthermore, it was elaborated that farmers are supported in these savings group to also be able
to run profitable business enterprise and to also buy farming inputs and materials such as fencing, water
60
tanks, water pumps, seed and seedlings, feeds and chicks. Thembani then explained the governance of
a savings group to the participants; a savings group is made up of people who know and trust each other
and also by people who stay in the same community, the minimum saving cycle of a savings group shall
be one-year (1) or twelve (12) month, participants can also extend the duration of the savingsgroup to
be 18 months if they want.
Buying of shares (Savings) was also explained to the participants. Thembani said that buying of shares is
like buying cows. Buying of shares were translated in a Sepedi language so that participants understand
better. Shares arebought starting from 1 to 10. A savings group canagree ontheir amount of a share
value starting from R100 and also a group can decide to start their share value on R200 if everthey want
to. Shares are bought in each and every meeting as a way of saving money.
Table 7: Below was used to show the participants how shares are bought.
Figure 54: Participants are looking into a
member’s record book asThembani
explains how they will be using the book
and how to record on the book.
The participants were told that a
savings group should havea minimum
of 9 members and a maximumnumber
of 19 members and the minimum age
of each member should be 19 years
old. In addition, participants were told
that for a savings group tofunction
well, participants wouldhaveto elect a managementcommittee andthe committee should have a
Chairperson, a Secretary and vice-secretary, a treasurer which is the money box keeper, two (2) money
counters and three (3) key holders. Thembani then outlined the duties of each member of the
management committee tothe participants.
Table 8: Below was used to explain the duties of each role in the saving group
ROLE
DUTIES
Chairperson
1. Chair all the meetings by following the agenda of the meetings
2. Ensure that theconstitution, rules are observed and respected all the time
3. fine transgressors/delinquent members
4. Present the locked money box to the money box keeper at the close of
each meeting
Secretary
1. Records member’s transactions in their individual books
2. Records group’s transactions in the master record book
Deputy Secretary
1. Help the secretary
2. Records group transactions in a flip chart
3.Confirm and announce closing balances of each transaction (shares bought,
loans repaid, new loans issues and money remaining in the box)
4. Records transactions of a share-out meeting
Share
Value
Number of Shares Bought in a Meeting
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
R100
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
R200
200
400
600
800
100
120
140
160
180
200
61
Money Box keeper
1. Keeps the money box safe and her/his home
2. Bring the money box to meetings
3. Helps deputy secretary with confirming closing balances
Money Counters
1. Count all the money of the group
2. Check and confirm that money is not fake or ink tainted
3. Counts loans issued to the borrowers
Money Box key
Keepers
1. Keep money box keys safe
2. Bring the keys to the meeting
3. Ensure that the money box is locked
After the duties of the management committee were outlined, participants were then given time to
elect their management committee and the committee are as follows;
(1) Chairperson: Anna Shai
(2) Secretary: Rosina Magolelo
(3) Vice Secretary: Thobejane Polina
(4) Money Box Keeper: Maria Tselane
(5) Money Counter 1: Dina Moeng
(6) Money Counter 2: Maria Moraba
(7) Key Holder 1: Betty Mangena
(8) Key Holder 2: Farantina Moraba
(9) Key Holder 3: Elizabeth Madike
(10) Melitja Mashumu
(11) Malesa Maria
(12) Malesa Joyce
(13) Anna Mogale
(14) Polina Maraba
A question was raised by a participant; “Can we put the money in a bank ratherthan using the box?”,
Betty Maimela, MDF facilitator then mentioned that it ispossible to do that only if all participants agree
on using a bank rather than a box. Participants were alsotrained on taking and repaying the loans. Loans
are re- payed within 3 -4months of taking the loan. It was outlined by the facilitatorthat loans are issued
between months 2 and 9. Participants are allowed to take two times the value of their shares as a loan
amount. For example, a participant with R2000 can take a loan of up to R4000. Between months 8 and
9, participants are only allowed to takeloans equivalent to their total savings in the group. For example,
a participant that has saved
R2000 can take out a
maximum loan ofR2000.
Some time was spent to
calculate the 10% interest for
different amounts.
Figure 325: Thembani is
showing the learning group
how to calculate interest,
using different examples,
payable in three months.
62
No loans are issued from month 10, 11 and 12. All debt should be settled by month 11 so that share out
can be done inmonth 12.The secretary writes all the loans issued by the group in the books and the
borrowers sign for all loans and outstanding balances in their books. When a borrower finishes paying off
a loan,thesecretary has to sign on theborrower’s book to confirm. In cases whereitis the secretary
who took a loan, thevice secretary signs her book. Thembani then told the participants that loans are
given to only members of the group. Participants were advised to come up with their own amounts of
fines for fining transgressors. Fines caninclude for example; coming late to the savings meetings, talking
while meetings are on progress, sleeping during meetings, using cell phones, forgetting closing balances
and forgetting savings/loans of a member sitting on your right and on yourleft. Participant were then
shown how loans are payed using the following tables;
Take Loan
Loan amount
R1000.00
Signature
Interest
R100.00
Total due next month
R1100.00
Loan
Payment
(Month 1)
Amount paid
R500.00
Signature
Loan amount
R600.00
Interest
R60.00
Total due next month
R660.00
Loan
Payment
(Month 2)
Amount paid
R500.00
Signature
Loan amount
R160.00
Interest
R16.00
Total due next month
R176.00
Loan
payment
(Month 3)
Amount Paid
R176.00
Signature
Loan amount
R0
Interest
R0
Total due next month
R0
The above tables were provided as an example of a member who is paying a loan in athree-month period.
Paulina Thobejane, thelocal facilitator really played a role in motivating the Madeira participants
regarding the savings group. Participants were also trained on how share out is done at the end of the
saving cycle.
Betty Maimela then took the participants through how a share out is conducted.She used anexample
where there is R126 576 inside the box. The money inside the box will be divided by the total number of
all shares bought throughout the cycle of the savings group tofind the new share value of the group.
After the new share value has been calculated, the total number of shares bought by an individual will
then be multiplied by the new share value to get the total amount a member has to get at the end of a
saving cycle;

 
30 (total number of shares of an individual) X R277.58 (new share value)
= R8 300 (share out amount).
63
Conclusion
Madeira group contains mostlyof old woman hence they will need month-month support for them to
understand the VSLA process well. Even though it took time for some of the participants to understand,
they showed interest in the savings group.
Enterprise development training and support
Introduction
Enterprise Development (ED)training workshop was conducted in three villages in the Lower Olifant’s
Basin: Santeng, Sedawa and Turkey Village from the 14thOctober 2020 to the 16th of October 2020. The
philosophy behind the ED training workshop isfor smallholder farmers to adapt financial education and
enterprise development which in return will add value toClimate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) objectives.
The methodology behind ED programme is tofacilitate training and supervision of farmer learning groups
which includes CRA farming methods, financial education (focusing oncurrent savings groups),
entrepreneurship education (Street Business School or SBS) and programme monitoring, evaluation and
learning (MEAL). The end results of this training process will promote functional farmer institutions,
cooperative buying of inputs, soil fertility, increased yields, and improved market access, and climate
change adaption practices and habits.
Facilitation Approach and Methodology
The ED training process for all participants in their respective villages wasbased on the five key questions
and principles that are applicable to all forms and sizes of businesses.
Five Business Questions (using the analogy of 5 fingers)
1.Will people buy what I want to sell?
2.Do I have the knowledge and the skill tooperate this business
activity?
3.DoI have enough money tostartup and operate this
enterprise?
4.Will the enterprise be profitable?
5.Will the income from the enterprise, when added to other
family income, be enough to pay household expenses?
The five questions were answered with the participants during the
workshops using farming businesses (Chickens and Vegetable) as
examples so that participants would have a clear understanding.
1.If one wants tosell Chickensor vegetables, do customers want chickens or vegetables? Where do
yourcostumers live? Howdo you know that theywant to buy your product? How are you going to
reach them?
64
2.Does one havetheskills or knowledge to do chickens or vegetables? If not, where will bethe skills
and knowledge be acquired from? Skills and knowledge include bothbusiness managementand
technical know-how and in this instancecropping/production, taking care of the broilers and/or
egg layers.
3.Does one have enough money tostart and operatea farming business (chicken and vegetables)? If
not,where will one get the money. The pros and cons for starting a business with a loan were
discussed. Participants wereadvised that a business should not be started with a loan. Loans are best
used to finance a business that is already operational and bringing in revenue/sales.
4.Will the farming business make profit? Participants were made aware that a businessthat does not
have profit is not a business. The broilers and vegetable should promise to, or make a profit for the
entrepreneur.
5.Will the profit from the farming business be able to support household expenses? The profit from
selling chickens and vegetables should be able to support the family.
Participants were made aware that for a prosperous business idea, these are the type of questions that
they should ask themselves before they start a business.
Workshop Results
The planned results of all workshops were:
1.Confirm business enterprises that are already in operation in each village
2.Identify entrepreneurs (participants) that are already part of the farmer learning groups that want
to start their enterprises
3.Align operational and planned businesses to marketing instruments in Hoedspruit, mainly the PGS
4.Put a plan in action for supervising/supporting enterprises
Facilitation Team and Facilitation Approach
Workshops were facilitated by Nqe Dlamini, Mazwi Dlamini, Betty Maimela,BigBoy Mkhabela and
Thembhani Mabunda. Nqe Dlamini was thelead facilitator. Participants were guided through thepurpose,
structure and outcomes of the ED training programme and that MDFwill train and support all
participants presenton allthe workshops in the villages that have demonstrated interest in operating
businesses. Several business questions were asked to the participants.
The following questions was asked before getting intothe main pillars of the workshop; “Anything you
know about a business and what come to your mind when you think of opening a business?”. The following
diagram is a summary of responses from all the participants in thevillages which shows business
knowledge of participants.
65
Figure 56: Participant’s business knowledge diagram
The lead facilitator further asked participants to outline the most important person in a business.
Participants engaged in an in-depth discussion with each other sharing their knowledge and experiences
when it comes tothe meaning of a business enterprise.
Seller- Christina Thobejane (Sedawa Participant) believes that a selleris the most important
person in a business; she mentioned that a seller can have products on top of the table but if a
seller is not able to sell and advertise the product, customers won’t buy the products.
Buyer- Ronny Sekgobela (Sedawa Participants) stated that a buyer is the most important person
in a business, he mentioned that a customer should be priority since there will not be a business
without a buyer.
At theend of each EDtraining, all participants were given 10-15 minutes to comeup with a business idea
looking carefully at the five business questions. Participants who are already running businesses were
also required toanswer those business questions using their business strategy. Summarytables of
enterprise were then created for the villages looking at the type of enterprise, target costumers, status,
key strategy, support required and next action of participants.
Discussion and Emphasis
The following points were emphasized at the closure of each workshop:
1.This is the beginning of a series of ED workshops. However, MDF would only provide ED training on
demand for thoseparticipants (entrepreneurs) whoareactive in all ofthe CRA activities. The obvious
66
significance of this is that entrepreneurs must have products to sell and CRA makes this possible.
New entrants (participants) will be accepted and the normal/standard channels shall be followed.
2.The seller, the buyer and the product are the most important ingredients of a successful enterprise.
3.Entrepreneurs must know where to find support (knowledge, skills, inputs, markets, etc.).MDF is
always available to help; however, work must be done by the entrepreneur.
4.MDF will visit your enterprises. Please do not hide challenges, successes, sales, etc. in other words,
the key information that will allow MDF to supervise/help the business to grow.
5.The next follow-up session will besometimes in February 2020. There will be shorter training
workshops between now and February 2020 that will be provided by Thembani.
Enterprise Development Training in Sedawa Village
PARTICIPANTS: Eleven (11)
DATE: 14th October 2020
VENUE: Christina Thobejane’s Residence
Figure 57: Pictures showing Sedawa participants during of ED training.
The summary table belowshows the enterprise description of theparticipants. Theenterprise status
ranges from 1 to 3 ,with number 1 representing a planned business, number 2 a start-up and number 3
an operational business.
Table 9: Summary enterprise table of Sedawa village
KEY - 1: Planned business | 2: Start-up Business | 3: Operational Business
Enterprise
Description
Name/s
of
Entrepre
neur/s
Status
Target
Customers
Key Strategy
Support
Required
Next
Action:
Entrepren
eur
1
2
3
Food/Groce
ry
Malepe
Mercy
X
Stokvel
buying grocery ata
stock price and sell to
people who are doing
grocery stokvels.
Transportation
None
Egg layers
Magdeline
Malepe
X
Households
Local Shops
Already growing
traditional chickens
Requires skill
and knowledge
support from
MDF
Currently
growing the
business
67
Enterprise
Description
Name/s
of
Entrepre
neur/s
Status
Target
Customers
Key Strategy
Support
Required
Next
Action:
Entrepren
eur
1
2
3
Spaza Shop
Thea
Morema
X
Kids
Selling ice cream,
drinks, and snack for
kids
MDF to
continue
giving her
skills and
supervision
Raising
capital to
expand the
business
Cropping
and hat
production
Mmakopil
a
Seotlo
X
Churches
Doing and Selling hats
to ZCC members
Capital
Support. Has
the skill and
knowledge
Expanding
the
business
using her
stokvel
share-out
Saloon
Fridah
Thobejan
e
X
Local
residences
Selling hair products
Raise
enough
capital to
start the
enterprise
Crafting
Lawrence
Motshana
X
Households
Local shops
Planning to do and sell
wooden spoon also
thinking of sell
firewood
Technical and
management
skills
Will use
donkeys to
deliver the
firewood
Sewing,
mending
clothes
Thamara
Malepe
X
School kids
Has the sewing
machine and the skill
and knowledge
Technical and
business
management
skills
None
Farming
crops
Sekgobela
Ronny
X
Households
Business
Selling vegetables to
the local people
Technical and
business
management
skills
Using the
profit to
expand the
business.
Spaza shop
Daphney
Maphoru
X
Households
Has been selling snacks
in the shop,
None
Egg layers
Christina
Thobejan
e
X
Households
Local shop
Will use her bakkie to
deliver the eggs to
costumers and go to
pension pay out to sell
Requires Skill
and Knowledge
support from
MDF
Raising
enough
Capital to
start selling
seeds
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Enterprise Development training in Turkey Village
PARTICIPANTS: 17
DATE: 15th October 2020
VENUE: Mmatshego Shaai’s residence
Participants inTurkey village were grouped into three teams with twoteams having six participants and one
team having five participants. The groups were given names of animals with team one being Impala, team
two being Buffalo and team three being duiker.
Figure 58: Pictures showing Turkey participants during ED training
Table 10: Summary enterprise table of Turkey village
KEY - 1: Planned business | 2: Start-up Business | 3: Operational Business
Enterprise
Description
Name/s of
Entreprene
ur/s
Status
Target
Customers
Key Strategy
Support
Required
Next
Action:
Entrepren
eur
1
2
3
Vegetables
Team
Impala(Pala)
Reckson’s
Group
X
Households
Selling organic
vegetable
around the
community
MDF to continue
to give
Supervision
Use profit
to sell
paraffin
around the
community
Broilers
Team
Buffalo(Nari
)
Alfred’s
Group
X
Households
Selling broilers
during
Christmas and
supplying to
events around
the community.
Have limited
skill, requires
support from
MDF
None
Broilers
Team duiker
(Phuti)
Tshehla’s
Group
X
Household
Selling broilers
to the local
community.
They will seek
help from
MDF to continue
giving them
supervision
None
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Enterprise
Description
Name/s of
Entreprene
ur/s
Status
Target
Customers
Key Strategy
Support
Required
Next
Action:
Entrepren
eur
1
2
3
department of
agriculture
Enterprise Development training in Santeng Village
PARTICIPANTS: 25
DATE: 16th October 2020
VENUE: Nomsa Mafologele’s residence
In Santeng village, 25 participants were present from different villages which include; the Willows,
Worcester and Madeira village. Participants were grouped and there wereanoverall of 8 groups with one
group with 5 participants and the remaining with 3 participants.
Table 11: Summary enterprise table of Santeng village
KEY - 1: Planned business | 2: Start-up Business | 3: Operational Business
Enterprise
Description
Name/s of
Entrepren
eur/s
Status
Target
Customers
Key Strategy
Support
Required
Next
Action:
Entrepren
eur
1
2
3
Vegetables
Group 1
Nomsa’s
Group
X
Households
Local shops
Town shops
Government
They plan to grow
produce required
by shops in town
Will rely on MDF
to provide
technical,
business and
marketing skills
Continue to
participate
in CRA
training
offered by
MDF
Broilers
Group 2
Naume’s
Group
X
Households
Each member will
contribute R200
to start the
business
Production and
business skills
Will let MDF
know when
members
have made
their
contributio
ns
Vegetables
Group 3
Fridah’s
Group
X
Households
Local shops
To use the
experience they
receive from
operating a VSLA
advance their
business practice
MDF to continue
giving them
skills and
supervision
Will learn
to grow
own
seedlings
and save
seeds for
following
years
Vegetables
Group 4
Moses’s
Group
X
Households
Local shops
Specifically want
to grow cabbage,
tomatoes,
spinach, carrots,
etc. for local
market through
Hlokomela PGS
Have limited
skills, but will
rely on MDF to
advance their
skills
Will work
towards
growing the
business
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Enterprise
Description
Name/s of
Entrepren
eur/s
Status
Target
Customers
Key Strategy
Support
Required
Next
Action:
Entrepren
eur
1
2
3
Egg layers
Group 5
Jerry’s
Group
X
Households
Local shops
Plan to start
small, sell to local
households and
gradually grow
bigger. This will
be made possible
by investing profit
back in the
business
MDF toprovide
technical and
entrepreneurshi
p training and
supervision
Raise
enough
capital to
start the
enterprise
Vegetables
Group 6
Ella’s
Group
X
Households
Local shops
Plan to sell to
supermarkets in
town;and plan to
advance technical
and
entrepreneurship
skills
MDF to assist in
production,
securing
markets and
entrepreneurshi
p
Will find
bigger
production
plot, sink a
borehole
and buy
production
equipment
Broilers
Group 7
Getrude’s
Group
X
Caterers
Shisanyama
Businesses
Will raise money
and attend
training
workshops
Technical and
business
management
skills
Will assess
potential
customers
further
Broilers
Group 8
Hunadi’s
Group
X
Households
Stokvels
Shisanyama
Caterers
Will secure
production credit
from the VLSA,
use profit to grow
business and to
give microloans to
local people
Technical and
business
management
skills
Secure
production
credit from
VSLA
Conclusion
All workshops wentas planned. There was good attendance and participation. The main highlights are as
follows:
1.It was very clear that participants are ready to do anything to improve the incomes of their households.
This included including commodities/products that are not aligned to CRA, for example, selling paraffin
and using donkeys to sell firewood.
2.Some participants saw the opportunity to use loans that they receive from their VSLA to borrow to the
villagers are high interest rates. This was discouraged during the discussion.
3.The participation of youth (mainly women) was encouraging. It was confirmed that they are already in
the business.
4.There is a mixture of individual and group-basedbusinesses. Group based businesses were mostly at
planning stage as opposed to operational businesses that are operated on individual basis.
5.VSLAs are the main sources of capital. This can only suggest a need for additional discussion with the
members during their monthly meetings to align share-outs with big capital investments into
enterprises/farming.
6.“Green Table” approach to marketing and selling andgetting traction. We recommended thatthis
idea/approach must be patented as a matter of urgency since it is anintellectual property. There is
fertile ground to improve local markets.
Farmer centres
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The idea behind farmer centres is for individuals or small groups to set up a small business providing
farming input supplies, as a minimum and input supplies, with advice, learning support, management of
joint equipment and some joint marketing of produce as a larger model. In discussion within the economic
development training workshops and with participants more generally it has transpired however, that
there is very little impetus presently to try and set up such businesses. Participants felt both that a
coherent and continuous demand for agricultural inputs does not exist on a village level and that the
requirements for contacts with suppliers, transport and a dedicated facility or shop to set up these
centres are prohibitive for them at present. They are however working together on an ad hoc basis within
the learning groups to arrange for cooperative buying of seedlings and seed for example.
There is unfortunately a reasonably high reliance on Mahlathini to support with once off orders such as
grass bales and point of lay hens, as transport options within the villages are extremely limited and very
highly priced, if available.
This means that no farmer centres have been initiated to date and it is also looking unlikely as an outcome
in the immediate to short term.
This topic will continue to be explored in upcoming workshops and learning sessions and models for
cooperative buying, transport sharing and the like are to be considered.
5.4Networking and stakeholder engagement
Stakeholder engagement
The following processes have been engaged in:
The Nova Institute: Submission of mango proposal toAgriSi. Liaison with WWF manager Mkhululi
Silandela re their interest in potential support.
K2C. Re-initiation of stall at monthly Hoedspruit farmersmarket jointly with K2C: Continued liaison
with K2C to include smallholders in their marketing platforms
The Hoedspruit PGS: Letter to committee for discussion on the group peer review system proposed
for smallholder farmer group involvement. Continued collaboration with AWARD in running the PGS
learning and mentoring process for three learning groups.
WWF:Liaison with the WWF smallholder farmer management Luyanda Njanjala, toinclude a
selection of 65 smallholderfarmers in their process of supply of organic herbs and vegetables to
Unilever. A database has been developed for the farmers.
Proposals have been written (US and Canadian Embassies, the Solidarity Fund, GIZ and RW)to
attempt to garner support and resources for the provision of water in these villages.Unfortunately,
none of these submissions have been successful.
Inputs have been made to the climate Justice charter in association with theSA Food Sovereignty
campaign
We have been working closely with Awande Buthelezi from the Climate Action Campaign to compile
a submission under their water stressed communities legal action process. Community level
resolution and mandates have been collected for this purpose and we have attended a number of
the webinars
The submission of the ‘tala table video’ (jointly between AWARD and MDF) to the Alliance for Food
Sovereignty in Africa ‘s (AFSA), mobile film competition and winning of the Southern Africa prize
for this submission
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6Monitoring, evaluation and learning
(MEL) plan
6.1Framework & indicators
Below is a summary of implementation according to our indicators for May-August 2020
Indicator
Overall target
Actual (September-
November 2020)
No of participants in learning groups
370
239
No of learning groups
9-12
9
-Noof local facilitators
6
6
Percentage of participants engaged in CC adaptation
responses
1-2 (45%)
2-3 (25%)
>3 (10-15%)
40%
18%
No of participants experimenting with new innovations
-local
-co-designed
15%
45%
5%
36%
No of participants showing increased knowledge
35%
60%
Percentage of participants engaged in collaborative
activities (water committees), marketing)
35%
40%
Percentage of participants with improved livelihoods
-increased availability of food
-increased income
-increased diversity of activities and livelihoods
options
40%
5%
5%
62%
45%(most farmers with
water have increased
production for sale)
4% (drying, livestock)
Qualitative assessments;
-stakeholderengagement
-Increased understanding and agency to act towards
increased resilience
- Adaptation and innovations into local context
-Potential for increased resilience
-Social engagement
Stories, case
studies (5-6), CC
impact summaries
(4), best practices
booklet
6.2Farmer level experimentation and innovation
Experimentation is seen as the conscious implementation of a new practise, with clear observation of the
outcomes and impacts ofthis practise. In some cases, it makes sense tocompare the new practise with
normal practise in the locality. In others it is considered an innovation, being a new practise.
1.Social engagement: This process of individuals working in a group and also sharing resources and
working together is an importantpart of building social agency and has been working well in Turkey,
Willows and Santeng, where members are sharing their knowledge and experiences and helping each
otherto implement practises Learning to manage internal conflict in a constructive manneris
another important aspect. The Sedawa learning group members havemade considerable progress
here. They have learnt to communicatebetter, to reduce the amount of behind the scenes talking
and rumourmongering and also to bring in “cooler heads” into their committees to ensure
functionality. As a group, they are also trying tohonour the agreements they have made in the past.
So, although the group is experiencing a high level of turbulence, theyare committed todealing
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with their issues andimproving their social compact.IN a number of villages (willows, turkey Sedawa
and Santeng) participants have worked together tobuy seedlings collaboratively and also in the
organic marketing process and in exploring local marketing options together.
Social agency is strengthened significantly through the village savings and loan associations. Here
around 77% ofactive participants have already joined VSLAs and are actively saving together and
taking small loans for household and farming activities. In three of the nine VSLAs participants have
also undertaken joint saving for specific activities, such as the water schemes, Jo-Jotanks and
seedlings.
2.Local innovations have come tothe fore in adaptations of local practises toinclude concepts
internalized form learning sessions. Examples are providing shade for the tower gardens (by situating
them close to trees and making shade netting structures for them, as well as the adaptation of the
local furrows and ridges planting systemto include the concept of shallow trenches (inclusion of
organic matter) into thesoil. Anumberof participants have also setup their own drip irrigation
systems. Participants in most learning groups havealso started exploring the planting of different
cropsat different times to adapttothechanges inclimatic conditions. They have for example
started tofocus on mustard spinach and kale at times oftheyearwhen Swiss chard does not do
well. They have incorporated theplanting of herbs (primarily coriander, parsley, rosemary and
lemon grass) in their gardens.
3.Potential for increased resilience is seen in the combination of improved organic matter, improved
water management and irrigation, crop diversification and diversification of livelihoods activities.
A small, but significant number of participants have now started to include small livestock (broilers,
layers and traditional chickens) in their farming activities.It is also seen in more and more
participants (around 24% presently) joining the organicmarketing activities and trying outlocal
marketing initiatives in their villages. This is most prevalent in Sedawa, Mametja, Turkey, Willows,
Finale and Santeng. The Lepelle and Botshabelo groupshave beenseverely hampered by internal
political wrangling and the fournew groupsMadeira, Worcester, Turkey 4 andMulalani still need to
increase and stabilise their production before this kind of collaboration will be possible.
4.A case study has been submitted for Women’s month to both AWARD and Quote this woman, for
publication in their newsletters. (Appendix 8.2: Women’s month profile stories series)
7Work Plan for Milestone 5
Below a brief assessment of progress for each of the activities mentioned for the May-August work plan is
provided.
1.Initiate construction of shade cloth tunnels (19)
(July - September 2020)
Finalised end November (20 tunnels)
2.Set up new learning groups and run climate change
impact workshops in Ntshabeleng (Turkey 4),
Butswana and Balloon and/ or Mulalani
New learning groups initiated in Turkey 4 and
Mulalani
3.Set up a new learning group in Botshabelo and
select a new Local Facilitator (August 2020)
Not done. Botshabelo group will be discontinued
4.Run CCA planning workshops in Madeira, Worcester
and Santeng; including the fivefingers monitoring
framework
CCA planning undertaken in Worcester and
Santeng
5.Run PGS trainingworkshops in partnership with
AWARD in Sedawa, Mametja, Willows and Turkey:
Sessions 2 and 3
Done.
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6.Attendance and monitoring at monthly VSLA
meetings x 9 (August- November 2020)
Done.
7.Learning and mentoring workshops in agroecology
and CRA practices; including tower gardens and
natural pestand disease control in 6 villages
(August-November 2020)
Done for trenchbeds, tower gardens and
tunnels. Still to do pest and disease control
8.Compile a proposal for support in water provision
activities in Santeng, Sedawa 2, Turkey 1 and
Madeira)
Not started yet.
9. Continue weekly organic vegetable marketing
process with Hlokomela (August- November 2020)
Done.
7.1Work plan for December 2020 March 2021.
Below a brief work plan is presented:
1)Continue construction of the second batch of 20 shade cloth tunnels
2)Continue monthly VSLA support for the 9 groups initiated
3)Continue with modules 4-7 of the enterprise development training for the 3 groups(Santeng, Sedawa
and Turkey)
4)Continue with PGS training workshops 4-7 in partnershipwith AWARD in Sedawa, Mametja, Willows and
Turkey
5)Continue organic marketing processes with 30 participants with Hlokomela and K2C
6)Run CCA planning workshops in Madeira and Mulalani
7)Learning and mentoring workshops in agroecology and CRA practices; including natural pest and disease
control, Conservation Agriculture, seed saving and crop calendars in 6 villages
8)Compile a proposal for support in water provision activities in Santeng, Sedawa 2, Turkey 1 and Madeira
9)Garden level monitoring using e survey for a minimum of 60 participants
10) Soil and water testing for the PGS groups
11) Initiate mango marketing system through M-Pak as mangoes become ready (December-March)
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8Appendices
8.1PGS process
Process of PGS
Stage 1: PGS Introduction
The first stage of Participatory guarantee System (PGS) is the introduction of PGS which was done for
some of the villages in the Lower Olifants Basin on the 25th of February 2020. The following are the
villages where PGS was introduced; Santeng. The willows, Sedawa, Turkey, Mabins (Mametja), Worcester,
and Madeira. The introduction workshop of PGS was held at Sedawa community hall where in some of the
participants from all villages were present.
Stage 2: Village PGS
The second stage was done in three villages in the Lower Olifants Basin. The villages which were visited
are as follows; Sedawa, Turkey, and Mabins (Mametja). The visit was a two (2) days’workshop which was
held on the 05th August 2020 and again on the 06th of August 2020. Participants (Farmers) were again
reminded how the PGS process operates.
Stage 3: Practice
Farmers were given some time to practice and follow the PGS principle which includes five fingers
principle on their gardens. Farmers were made aware on how to practice the principles since an example
of this stage of PGS was done together with the participants in the villages on the 05th and 06th of August
2020. The practice was donein Christina Thobejane’s garden in Sedawa village where in participants from
Mabins (Mametja) were present and also in Lydia Shia’s garden in Turkey village. Two criteria of the
assessment tool were used to help farmers in the practice process (Water Management and Crop
Management).
Criteria
Assessment Feedback
Poor
OK
Good
Water Management
STAGE
6:
Outcom
e
STAGE
5: Field
visit by
PGS
Hoedspr
-uit
STAGE
4: Field
Work
STAGE
3:
Practice
STAGE
2:
Village
PGS
STAGE
1: PGS
Intro-
duction
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Water conservation, recycling and rain
water collected and use
She uses a dam for rain water
harvesting.
0
1
4
Good water for irrigation purposes (Clean
& no chemicals)
Her borehole has never been tested
to insure clean and chemicals free
water
4
1
0
Control run-off (don’t allow water to
leave land)
Water is controlled in her garden,
some go into the dam she has built
and some go to her garden.
0
0
5
Keep water in the soil by mulching and
natural cover
There is mulch in Christina’s
garden, although the mulch is not
all the parts of the garden
0
3
2
Crop management
Natural pest control
Christina has planted marry gold,
peri-peri, and herbs to control pest.
0
0
5
Planting
She planted in beds and also has
planted inside her tunnel
0
0
5
The above table shows the feedback assessment done inChristina Thobejane’s garden.
The above table shows the feedback assessment done in Lydia Shai’s garden.
A Sepedi version of the assessment criteria was interpreted (See attached) and the Xitsonga version
translation is in progress.
Criteria
Assessment Feedback
Poor
OK
Good
Water Management
Water conservation, recycling and rain
water collected and use
She conserves water, she has an
eco-circle in her garden which
conserve water and she uses an
irrigation bottle to water her
plants.
0
1
3
Good water for irrigation purposes
(Clean & no chemicals)
She uses a group borehole (MDF
borehole), the borehole has never
been tasted for water quality.
0
1
3
Control run-off (don’t allow water to
leave land)
Run-off is controlled but she can
improve since some of the water
does not go into her garden.
0
1
3
Crop management
Natural pest control
She has planted herbs and peri-
peri in her garden to control pest.
0
1
3
Crop rotation
She doesn’t not often do crop
rotation in here garden
0
3
1
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Stage 4: Field work.
This is one of the outstanding stages that needs to be conducted in the villages where the PGS process was
focused on, this means the field work will be in Sedawa, Mametja, and Turkey villages. This will be done by
all the members that participated in PGS workshop in the villages along with some of the members of PGS
Hoedspruit. The rationale of this field work is toassess the participants if they are adhering to the principles
of PGS (Five principles of Agroecology) before field visit by PGSHoedspruit, challenges that they have come
acrossso far, furthermore is to check how the Tala table has helped the farmers. A meeting was held in
AWARD on the 31stof August 2020by Bigboy Mkhabela andThembani Mabunda, andthe proposed dates for
the field work stage are as follows; 16th September 2020 & 17 September 2020
Stage 5: Field Visit.
The 05thstage of PGS is field visit by PGS Hoedspruit to do assessment using the application tool. This step
also falls under theoutstanding steps of PGS that needs to be conducted. The field visit will be done together
with the community participants and this is where the participants will be judged according to application
tool weather they qualify to get a certificate for being organic farmers as individuals.
Stage 6: Outcome.
The last stage of PGSisthe outcome of thewhole process which includes the challenges that the participants
came across throughout the cycle, what they have learned and achieved through being part ofPGS. The
outcome stage will allow us to improve the PGS process looking at the obstacles that members came across
during the implementation of the process.
Summary.
Stage one (1) and Stage two (2) have been conducted and Stage Three (3) is in progress being done by the
participants (Farmers). Stage Four (4) is one of the outstanding stages and dates of this stage are proposed
and mentioned above. We should propose that farmers keep records ofthe amount of organic vegetables
brought on the Tala Table and the amount of money they made while selling using the Tala Table, if ever
they were not keeping record, thiswill help us to compute the difference in amount when a farmeris selling
using the Tala Table and when a farmer is selling not using the table.
8.2Women’s month profile stories series
Nomsa Mafologela 56 years of age from Santeng under Maruleng
municipality.
Why are youso passionate about the work that
you do? or why did you choose this field of
work? Orwhy are you part of this project?
I started agricultural activities at an early age withherfamily taking it from
her mother and she continued with the activities as she grows. She chose
being in this field as she has seenthat eating fresh produces like your
vegetables is a healthy way that is recommended by doctors and she has
benefited from eating fresh produce from hergarden and eating relevant
nutritional food. Farming plays a big role in her life she is unemployed and
from her garden she manages to make an income of more than R500,00 a
week just by selling different kindsof Morogo (kale, Swiss chard spinach,
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mustard spinach) selling
locally and the project has
been such a help in her
realising that she can
change her livelihood
throughagriculture and
help other women in her
village todo the same
thing she is doing to
change their lives as
unemploymentrate is very
high.
What challenges have you faced being a woman in your
work/community and how have you conquered?
As a local facilitator for the learning
group in agriculture under theRW project
I gok and witness orphanagechildren that
have no one to assist them heading
households with no income and food is
verypainful as most are young women
that end up taking wrong decisions. I
assist them by working withother NGOs
that I work with in termsof food parcels
or any other help they can get, but most
importantly I encourage them to join the
project of agriculture, just tohave a small garden in their households to be able to eat and sell in the
community and make some income instead of waiting for people to help them while they starve.
What has been your career/project highlight thus far? How did you
make this possible?
The project is lead mostly by females and most important the project has given us knowledge to leave and
adapt to the changing situation and how to make live and look after ourfamilies through agriculture.The
project has given us an opportunity to sell todifferent marketand making income that we were never
making, most importantly getting the community together and work together.
In your opinion, why is it important that more women to take up space
in thewater and natural resources management sector?
Women are involved in everything, they take care of everything, no matter what they have. Women have
more care, so having them in the sector will benefit everyone more especially the next generation. Women
are very important they take part in taking care of everyliving thing, nature, mankind and water to provide
for their families.
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Whichfemale leader (could be famousor unknown) inspires you and
why?
Betty Maimela is my role model. She understands people and rural situations, she always encourages us to
work hard and change our livelihood with what we can do with our own hands to be able to provide for our
families no matter how hard we think it is, it will never be easy.
What dreams do you have for your sector, community and/or other
women?
To see more women working as hard as they can and be the rock for their families, working together in the
community to change young women’s mind and perspectives about agriculture. I wish to see more women
with livestock more especially those that cannot docrop farming. Women should not wait for men to provide
forthem, they should stand up and hold a knife on the sharp side toprovide for themselves and avoid
depending on men. To also see women coming together to fight gender violence.
In this Women’s Month, what isthemostimportant message you want
to send out to young women thinking about their careers or wanting to
do more work in their community?
Young women shouldstand up and see what they are good at/talent. They have to involve themselves in
different project that they are passionate about thatwill be beneficiary tothe next generation. Young
women should also focus on their school work and choosing the right careers to be ableto grow and be
productive.
8.3The list of Tunnel recipients
The table below indicates the participants who have constructed tunnels (20) and those are still to finalize
their tunnels in this first round of construction(5).
Village
Name of recipients
No
Still to do
Santeng
Frieda Kgohlwane
9
0
Lethabo Malepe
Maanawe Shaai
Gertrude Mankgele
Fenita Phofane
Nomsa Mafologela
Florence Mashego
Julia Lehlwane
Rose Molobela
Willows
Mrs Monyela
5
3
Saul Shaai
Samson Sebatane
Malepe Regina
Sylus Malepe
Turkey 1,2
Magalangake Mogale
6
1
Nkurwane Shaai
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Portia Shaai
Rackson Magobatlou
Violet Magobatlou
Shadrack Masete
8.4Participants that are selling produce in all markets
that are currently available
Participants who sold at Hlokomela Hoedspruit trust and that
are still supplying K2C orders.
Date
Surname
Name
Produce
Quantity
Price
Total
income
Village
29/05/2020
Malepe
Lepekane
Green beans
60kg
R15,00/kg
R900,00
Sedawa
Monyela
Mmadiatla
beetroot
11 bundles
R10/Bundle
R110,00
Turkey
Mmaditiro
Mayebela
Spinach
50 bundles
R15,00/bundle
R750,00
Mametja
02/06/2020
Tshetlha
Norah
Morogo
16 bundles
R10/Bundle
R160,00
Turkey
Shai
Lydia
Morogo
1 bundle
R10,00/bundle
R10,00
Turkey
Magobatlou
Rackson
Morogo
2 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R20,00
Turkey
Machimane
Alfred
Morogo
1 bundle
R10,00/bundle
R10,00
Turkey
Madire
Sarah
Morogo
9 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R90,00
Turkey
Malepe
Josphina
Morogo
15 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R150,00
Sedawa
Sekgobela
Mpelesi
Morogo
4bundles
R10,00/bundle
R40,00
Sedawa
Malepe
Lepekane
Green beans
144kg
R15,00/kg
R2 160,00
Sedawa
Malomane
Makete
Chilli
11kg
R100,00/kg
R1 100,00
Turkey
11/06/2020
Letebele
Nthabiseng
Beetroot
15kg
R10,00/kg
R150,00
Willows
Monyela
Mmadiatla
beetroot
32kg
R10,00/kg
R320,00
Turkey
Phinias
Pako
Beetroot
3kg
R10,00/kg
R30,00
Willows
Letebele
Nthabiseng
Tomatoes
50kg
R10,00/kg
R500,00
Willows
Malepe
Josphina
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Sedawa
Thobejane
Christina
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Sedawa
Sekgobela
Mpelesi
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Sedawa
Magobatlou
Rackson
Morogo
2 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R20,00
Turkey
Malatji
Isaac
Morogo
7 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R70,00
Turkey
Tshetlha
Norah
Morogo
16 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R160,00
Turkey
Mogopa
Alex
Morogo
11 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R110,00
Sedawa
Malomane
Makete
Chilli
11kg
R100,00/kg
R1 100,00
Turkey
Malepe
Lepekane
Sweet-potatoes
55kg
R20,00/kg
R1 100,00
Sedawa
Malepe
Lepekane
Green beans
117kg
R15,00/kg
R1 755,00
Sedawa
17/06/2020
Malepe
Lepekane
Green beans
57kg
R15,00/kg
R855,00
Sedawa
Malepe
Lepekane
Sweet-potatoes
55kg
R20,00/kg
R1 100,00
Sedawa
Meissie
Mokwena
Morogo and
spinach
6 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R60,00
Sedawa
Magdalena
Malepe
Spinach
4 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R40,00
Sedawa
Christina
Thobejane
Morogo
11 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R110,00
Sedawa
Esinah
Malepe
Morogo
7 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R70,00
Sedawa
Nthabiseng
Letebele
Beetroot
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Willows
Sara
Madire
Morogo
22 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R200,00
Turkey
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Malomane
Makete
Chilli
10 kg
R100,00/kg
R1 000,00
Turkey
23/06/2020
Lepekane
Malepe
Sweet-potatoes
87kg
R20,00/kg
R1 740,00
Sedawa
Meissie
Mokwena
Spinach
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Sedawa
Rackson
Magobatlou
Morogo/spinach
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
Lydia
Shaai
Morogo
7 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R70,00
Turkey
Mmatshego
Shaai
Morogo
8 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R80,00
Turkey
Isaac
Malatji
Morogo
13 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R130,00
Turkey
Mpelesi
Sekgobela
Morogo
3 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R30,00
Sedawa
Christina
Thobejane
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Sedawa
Moses
Mogofe
Kale
11 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R110,00
Willows
Malomane
Makete
Chilli
13 kg
R100,00/kg
R1 300,00
Turkey
Nthabiseng
Letebele
Tomatoes
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Willows
Herry
Kgwedi
Onions
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Willows
01/07/2020
Herry
Kgwedi
Onions
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Willows
Sarah
Madire
Morogo
20 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R200,00
Turkey
Mmatshego
Shaai
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Turkey
Sarah
Mohlala
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
Christina
Thobejane
Morogo
18 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R180,00
Sedawa
Samason
Pako
Tomatoes
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Willows
Lepekane
Malepe
Sweet-potatoes
100 bundles
R20,00/kg
R2 000,00
Sedawa
Malomane
Makete
Chilli
15 kg
R100,00/kg
R1 500,00
Turkey
08/07/2020
Nora
Tshetlha
Morogo
15 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R150,00
Turkey
Lydia
Shaai
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Turkey
Sara
Mohlala
Morogo
10 bundles
R100,00/bundle
R100,00
Turkey
Magalangake
Mogale
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
Mmatshego
Shaai
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
Roony
Sekgobela
Morogo
8 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R80,00
Sedawa
Meissie
Mokwena
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Sedawa
Esinah
Malepe
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Sedawa
Lema
Malepe
Morogo
8 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R80,00
Sedawa
Magdalena
Malepe
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Sedawa
Christina
Thobejane
Morogo
26 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R260,00
Sedawa
Triphina
Malepe
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Sedawa
Samson
Pako
Chilli
4kg
R100,00/kg
R400,00
Willows
Samson
Pako
Spring Onions
30 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R300,00
Willows
Herry
Kgwedi
Butternut
50 bundles
R50,00/bundle
R2 500,00
Willows
Herry
Kgwedi
Onions
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Willows
Malomane
Makete
Chilli
6kg
R100/kg
R600,00
Turkey
15/07/2020
Herry
Kgwedi
Onions
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Willows
Nthara
Seotlo
Spring Onions
30 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Sedawa
Malomane
Makete
Green beans
100kg
R15,00/kg
R1 500,00
Turkey
Nthabiseng
Letebele
Tomatoes
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Sedawa
Rackson
Magobatlou
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
Trona
Morema
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Mametja
Rony
Sekgobela
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Sedawa
Mpelesi
Sekgobela
Morogo
6 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R60,00
Sedawa
Christina
Thobejane
Morogo
15 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R150,00
Sedawa
Paul
Maphori
Morogo
20 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R200,00
Sedawa
Nthara
Seotlo
Spring Onions
30 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R300,00
Sedawa
Meissie
Mokwena
Morogo
8 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R80,00
Sedawa
Herry
Kgwedi
Onions
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Willows
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Sara
Mohlala
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Turkey
Mogalangake
Mogale
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
Mmatshego
Shaai
Morogo
12 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R120,00
Turkey
22/07/2020
Isaac
Malatji
Morogo
9 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R90,00
Turkey
Sarah
Madire
Morogo
6 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R60,00
Turkey
Lydia
Shaai
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Turkey
Sara
Mohlala
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Turkey
Magalangake
Mogale
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
Paul
Maphori
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Sedawa
Mpelesi
Sekgobela
Morogo
6 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R60,00
Sedawa
Moses
Mogofe
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Willows
Herry
Kgwedi
Butternut
50 bundles
R50,00/bundle
R2 500,00
Willows
Triphina
Malepe
Morogo
9 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R90,00
Sedawa
Christina
Thobejane
Morogo
15 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R150,00
Sedawa
Magdalena
Malepe
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Sedawa
Daphney
Maphori
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Sedawa
28/07/2020
Samson
Pako
Spring Onions
30 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R300,00
Willows
Samson
Pako
Tomatoes
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Willws
Herry
Kgwedi
Butternut
50 bundles
R50,00/bundle
R2 500,00
Willows
Lepekane
Malepe
Sweet-potatoes
100kg
R20,00/kg
R2 000,00
Sedawa
Christina
Thobejane
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Sedawa
Nomsa
Mafologela
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Santeng
Florence
Mashego
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Santeng
Lydia
Shai
Mororgo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Turkey
Magalangake
Mogale
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
Sarah
Mohlala
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
Moses
Mogofe
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Willows
Phineas
Pako
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Willows
Moalomane
Makete
Chilli
9kg
R100,00/kg
R900,00
Turkey
04/08/2020
Samson
Pako
Tomatoes
50 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R500,00
Willows
Malomane
Makete
Chilli
10kg
R100/kg
R1 000,00
Turkey
Nthara
Seotlo
Spring Onions
20 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R200,00
Sedawa
Lepakane
Malepe
Sweet-potatoes
60kg
R20,00/kg
R1 200,00
Sedawa
Sarah
Mohlala
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Turkey
Magalangake
Mogale
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
Isaac
Malatji
Mororgo
9 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R90,00
Turkey
Sarah
Madire
Morogo
11 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R110,00
Turkey
Elias
Thete
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Willows
Moses
Mogofe
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Willows
Christina
Thobejane
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Sedawa
Daphney
Maphuru
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Sedawa
Ronny
Sekgobela
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Sedawa
Mpelesi
Sekgobela
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Sedawa
Getrude
Mankgele
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Santeng
Frida
Khohlwane
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Santeng
Nomsa
Mafologela
Morogo
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Santeng
Lethabo
Malepe
Morogo
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Santeng
06/08/2020
Herry
Kgwedi
Onions
9 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R90,00
Willows
lepekane
Malepe
Sweet-potatoes
1 bundles
R20,00/kg
R20,00
Sedawa
Esinah
Malepe
Flat leaf parsley
2 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R20,00
Sedawa
Christina
Thobejane
Rocket
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Sedawa
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Malomane
Makete
Chilli
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Turkey
20/08/2020
Sylus
Malepe
Tomatoes
5 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R50,00
Willows
Sylus
Malepe
Lettuce
3 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R30,00
Willows
Sylus
Malepe
Onions
4 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R40,00
Willows
Malomane
Makete
Chilli
9 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R90,00
Turkey
28/08/2020
Sylus
Malepe
Red onions
5 bundles
R15,00/bundle
R75,00
Willows
Sylus
Malepe
Lettuce
1 bundle
R10,00/bundle
R10,00
Willows
Shadrack
Masete
Mororgo
1 bundle
R10,00/bundle
R10,00
Turkey
Shadrack
Masete
Coriander
1 bundle
R10,00/bundle
R10,00
Turkey
10/09/2020
Sylus
Malepe
Tomatoes
7 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R70,00
Willows
18/09/2020
Nomsa
Mafologela
Flat leaf parsley
1 bundle
R10,00/bundle
R10,00
Santeng
Rose
Molobela
Curly leaf
Parsley
1 bundle
R10,00/bundle
R10,00
Santeng
Nomsa
Mafologela
Tomatoes
2 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R20,00
Santeng
Frida
Khohlwane
Beetroot
7 bundles
R15,00/bundle
R105,00
Santeng
Shadrack
Masete
Coriander
1 bundle
R10,00/bundle
R10,00
Turkey
Lethabo
Malepe
onions
8 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R80,00
Santeng
02/10/2020
Mmanawe
Shai
Tomatoes
10 bundles
R10,00/bundle
R100,00
Santeng
Magdalena
Malepe
Onions
1 bundle
R10,00/bundle
R10,00
Sedawa
Ronny
Sekgobela
Beetroot
3 bundles
R15,00/bundle
R45,00
Sedawa
10/10/2020
Nomsa
Mafologela
Tomatoes
1 bundle
R15,00/bundle
R15,00
Santeng
Lydia
Shai
Beetroot
7 bundles
R15,00/bundle
R105,00
Turkey
16/10/2020
Frida
Khohlwane
Tomatoes
8 bundles
R15,00/bundle
R120,00
Santeng
21/10/2020
Magdalena
Malepe
Spring Onions
2 bundles
R15,00/bundle
R30,00
Sedawa
Christina
Thobejane
Morogo
4 bundles
R15,00/bundle
R60,00
Sedawa
Nomsa
Mafologela
Flat leaf parsley
2 bundles
R15,00/bundle
R30,00
Santeng
22/10/2020
Treggie
Moloto
Beetroot
6 bundles
R15,00/bundle
R90,00
Sedawa
Names of participants selling at Hoedspruit farmers ‘market
and Kamogelo market
Date
Name of
Farmer
Name of crops
provided
Number of
Crops
Number of
Crops sold
Agreed
price of
selling
Price sold
at
Total
03/10/2020
Mmakopila
Seotlo
Beetroot
7 Bundles
5 Bundles
R15-00
R15-00
R75-00
Cabbage
5 Cabbages
3 Cabbages
R20-00
R20-00
R60-00
Parsley
1 Bundle
1 bundle
R15-00
R15-00
R15-00
Spring Onion
1 Bundle
1 Bundle
R15-00
R15-00
R15-00
Malepe
Peete
Parsley
10 Bundles
2 bundles
R15-00
R15-00
R30-00
Fennel
7 Bundles
7 Bundles
R15-00
R15-00
R105-00
Christina
Thobejane
Peri-Peri
1 Pack
1 pack
R15-00
R15-00
R15-00
Pumpkin
2 Pumpkin
2 Pumpkin
R15-00
R15-00
R30-00
Parsley
9 Bundles
6 Bundles
R15-00
R15-00
R90-00
Spinach
6 Bundles
6 Bundles
R20-00
R15-00
R90-00
Brinjal
5 Brinjal
5 Brinjal
R15-00
R15-00
R75-00
MILESTONE 4: LEARNING, MENTORING AND MONITORING: REPORT (1).
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8.5“Shaping the future of Agro-ecological markets in Africa”
The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) called on all Food-loving story-tellers to take part in a
mobile film competition tohelp re-imagine the future of agro-ecology food markets and best practices in
Africa. The following were the examples of what farmers can focus on;
What does the future of food market look like?
How farmers/ pastoralists/ fisher folk can get fair price.
Building alliances between producers and consumers?
How can markets encourage sustainable farming/healthy eating?
How are digital technologies opening up new market opportunity?
What traditional practices need to be protected and celebrated?
How can we protect local food market against globalization?
How to ensure women get a fair deal?
The Association for Water and Rural Development (AWARD) and Mahlathini Development Foundation (MDF)
throughtheir partnership took part in the competition with smallholder farmers in the Lower Olifant’s on
05thOctober 2020.The video film was all about the Tala Table (GreenTable), an initiative implemented
and supported by MDF and AWARD underthe Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) process.
Fennel
2 Bundles
2 bundles
R15-00
R15-00
R30-00
Paw-Paw
1 Paw-paw
1 Paw-Paw
R20-00
R20-00
R20-00
kale
1 bundle
1 bundle
R15-00
R15-00
R15-00
lemon Grass
2 bundles
2 bundles
R15-00
R15-00
R30-00
Onion
2 bundles
2 bundles
R15-00
R15-00
R30-00
Maphori
Dephney
spinach
2 bundles
2 bundles
R20-00
R15-00
R30-00
Lydia Shai
Beetroot
6 Bundles
5 bundles
R15-00
R15-00
R75-00
Spinach
10 Bundles
10 Bundles
R20-00
R15-00
R150-00
Masete
Caiphus
Spinach
14 Bundles
14 Bundles
R20-00
R15-00
R210-00
Calvin Shai
Spinach
10 Bundles
10 Bundles
R20-00
R15-00
R150-00
MILESTONE 4: LEARNING, MENTORING AND MONITORING: REPORT (1).
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The Tala table is breaking the barriers of market challenges for smallholder farmers, it gives farmers a sense
of belonging and also assurity toconsumers that they are buying organic produce. The overall aim of the
farmers is to rollout the Tala table to all spheres of markets within their villages, in pension points and
nearest towns.
The farmers take pride of the Tala table and they mentioned that it;
Help community have easy access to organic vegetables produced locally,
Affordable nutritious vegetables,
Create network of food security locally,
And create identity of agroecology
The Tala table is amarketing strategythatis simple but yet powerful, it symbolizes organic farming, Healthy
food, healthy living and healthy environment. The table can be wide distributed allover the world
advocating for green environment and healthy living.
$2500 in prices were won in the competition, 10 prizes of $200 USD each and the best overall film winning
a price of $500:
Best North African film
Best East African film
Best West African film
Best Central African film
Best Southern African film
Best Fisher-folk film
Best Pastoralist Film
Best Farmer’s Film
Best Woman-led innovation
Best Youth-led innovation
MILESTONE 4: LEARNING, MENTORING AND MONITORING: REPORT (1).
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The winners per the above categories were announced at the AFSA biennial Food Systems Celebration on
the October 26th2020 and were streamed live toan audience across the planet. The Best Southern African
Film prize was awarded to MDF and AWARD for the Tala Table video film. The videos of the competition are
available on YouTube, use the following link to view;
https://t.co/BJyJQQKiQ4?amp=1