Tarkastad group change their lives by working the land

In Tarkastad, a group of former inmates and unemployed people have come together with a shared dream of creating a better future for themselves and their community.

Many young people in the community were unemployed, and Xolisa Mandyoli, 40, suggested starting a farming co-operative.

Nine others, including eight who had served time, embraced his idea.

They lacked resources and went around the community asking for manure and to borrow tools such as shovels and picks to work the land.

Mandyoli asked his father, Bongani Pawuleni, who previously worked the land at Nobubele Primary School, to get permission to grow crops on land which had been lying fallow.

Today, their Akum Amandla Wam Co-operative sells vegetables such as maize, butternut, green peppers and tomatoes to the community.

Mandyoli, who worked as a taxi driver before he was arrested and served time for robbery and attempted rape, said the initiative had been a turning point for their lives.

“After my release, I returned home and found that my peers were sitting in drinking spots and unemployment.

“Some of them had also served time and some passed grade 12 and did nothing afterwards.

“I wanted a fresh start and when I saw the school land not in use, I discussed with them that we start this initiative.

“In the community, most homes didn’t plant their gardens. We saw this as an opportunity to better our lives as well as the community’s,” Mandyoli said.

He said he also sold sheep and goats to fund the initiative.

“Working together we can change lives. Our parents worked the land and we learnt from them.

“We managed to extend the school garden and now we have about 4ha that we use.

“Our dream is to have more land and expand our production but we also need financial muscle.

“We want to supply local schools and help create more jobs. Because our community is struggling, we also give back to centres,” he said.

Mphumzi Ngetu, 30, dropped out of college because of financial difficulties and when the initiative kicked off, he jumped in.

“This initiative is benefiting our old people and its helping to also take us off the streets. 

“I saw [Mandyoli] in the garden one day and asked to join in. I told him I had nothing but my manpower to give.

“Our local shops around here don’t sell fruit and veg so there was a market for it. 

“My life has changed since I joined. I have something to do now and be able to put food on the table.

“I’m also studying public management which I hope will contribute to the business.

“Every day, we are in the garden planting more vegetables or removing the weeds. It is also inspiring that people are receiving us positively,” Ngetu said.

Villager Luthobile Mayedwa is a staunch customer of the co-operative.

“They love their work and their produce is good quality and fresh. I just recently bought maize. I lend them my tools so they can do their job.

“Some of them don’t even have gumboots or proper work wear but their dedication is inspiring. I thought they were joking when they started,” he said.

The department of agriculture has pledged to support the group, including assisting them to register the co-operative and empower them.

MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe, who visited the initiative recently, said she was excited the see the group working the land.

“I believe they were rehabilitated while they were in the correctional services.

“We will assist them to get funding. We want their area to expand.

“We made a commitment in this financial year that we want farming in schools and homes to fight poverty by all means,” she said.

Principal Feziwe Gxothiwe said the garden also benefited the school.

Daily Dispatch