Nelson Mandela Children’s fund donates R300 000 for community bakery project

A group of unemployed women from a rural village at Khalavha recently received an early Christmas gift from the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. The women were given R300 000 to start a community-based bakery and a confectionery.

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund became involved after hearing about this group of women who were each contributing R2 a week in order to start a community project. 

As they were not formally employed, the women collected the little money they had and used it to buy stock which they in turn sold at a small profit. The money earned this way was used to help provide for their families, improve their households and buy school uniforms for their children.
Mampe Ntsedi, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund Programme Specialist in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, said these small-scale “co-operatives” were  made possible by the rigorous training, guidance and encouragement conducted by organisations such as the Far North Community Care and Development (FNCCD). The FNCCD assists women participants and helps them to form self-help groups, not only to improve their own lives, but also to teach them business skills and empower them to dream big.

“This is where the idea of the bakery was born. Bread produced from this village will feed the locals at a cheaper price and they will not have to wait for bread to be delivered from the neighbouring town of Thohoyandou. Among other things, the Khalavha Traditional Council paid for the water connection at the site and will continue to provide ongoing support to these women to ensure sustainability and success,” said Ntsedi.

The director of the FNCCD, Nthambeleni Ramanyimi, said they were operating in 10 villages within the Thulamela Municipality in the Vhembe District of Limpopo. 

He said their organisation catered for the needs of HIV-infected patients, orphans, vulnerable children, the aged, people with disabilities and the youth in general. “To help communities cope, we also engage in poverty-alleviation activities such as the establishment and promotion of income-generating activities (IGAs) and capacity building on socio-economic development in the targeted villages through the establishment and coordination of self-help groups,” said Ramanyimi.

The acting chief, Rogers Tshivhase of Khalavha Village, encouraged the women to produce quality bread, scones and cakes. 

“The Tshivhase Royal Family will support you as long as you don’t fight. We have witnessed the opening of big community projects, but today they are nowhere because of gossip and in-fighting. Your finances should be managed accordingly, otherwise the project will close its doors due to mismanagement of funds,” said Tshivhase.

Date:19 November 2014

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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