Women encouraged to pursue career in farming

A young female farmer, Ms Thinawanga Makungo, described farming as one of the most sustainable jobs in the world, because no day passes without people needing a meal. Makungo is the farm manager of Mathuba Genetic at Ha- Ravele.

Makungo said that women must use all their opportunities, especially during Women’s Month. “The growth of our country’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, and I would like to encourage women to plough away to secure their future,” she said.

“I grew up in a rural area, so the love of agriculture was always hidden in me from an early age,” she added. Makungo said that many opportunities existed for women in agriculture, even though this sector had traditionally been dominated by males.

Makungo studied at Vhembe TVET college, where she obtained a diploma in primary agriculture. She said that she was committed to mentoring young women farmers. “I want to advise them to enrol at an agricultural college, so that they can learn about farming,” she said.

Ms Hope Malatji, a third-year student of animal sciences at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is currently doing a 12-month internship at Mathuba Genetics. She also encouraged women to take farming seriously and help fight poverty and unemployment. “It is time to get up and do things for yourself, so that we can defeat poverty and unemployment and help create jobs for jobless people. I want to encourage our rural women to actively participate in agricultural farming to better their lives,” said Malatji.

The managing director of Mathuba Genetics, Mr Emmanuel Mudau, said that farming contributed to local economic development, especially in rural areas. “I urge women to pursue farming opportunities,” he said. Mudau is also chairman of the Limpopo Indigenous Veld Goat Club and deputy chairman of Bosvelder Limpopo Club.

“We want to assist women in farming, particularly those from previously disadvantaged rural areas. They must use their talents to curb the scarcity of food and the food price hike in the country,” he said.

Date:19 August 2021

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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