CAPITAL: The Voice of Business Issue 1, 2015 | Page 81

ENACTUS

tungwa (chairperson), Lindy Mzulwini and Bongi
s of Sinwabile. PHOTO: Debbie Turrell.

market and are on the lookout for more
customers.

GERMINATING NEW IDEAS

At the outset, the co-op members were
women, all of whom were responsible for
supporting their households. Many were
middle-aged and had been subsistence
farmers for most of their lives. But as the
commercial farming concept has grown
and the potato plants have sprouted,
community members have taken note and
some new ideas have germinated too.
Young people — young men in particular
— have begun to see the potential in
taking a more inclusive, commercial
approach to farming. What was previously
seen by many as difficult “women’s” work
is now seen as an opportunity for gainful
employment and for skills development.

Sbongiseni Slabela, one of the
young men who have joined
Sinwabile. PHOTO: Debbie Turrell.
“Most of the youth don’t want to do
farming,” say