Lephalale is the largest Municipality in the Waterberg district and accounts for 39% of the geographical area of the District. The area contributes up to 26% of the GDP, while the agricultural sector makes up 30% of the local economy. It is along this framework that Exxaro decided to invest in Agricultural programs as part of community development initiatives in its Social and Labour Plan (SLP).
When Exxaro conducted stakeholder engagements for the 2013-2017 SLP, with various governmental departments, the Department of Agriculture recommended this project as an existing project with potential for growth.
Re ka kgona Poultry Farm, currently registered as Mmashakane Poultry Agricultural Primary Co-operative Limited was initially started in 2009. Prior to Exxaro’s intervention, this farm had only one chicken house with the capacity to carry less than 1000 broiler chickens.
Exxaro assisted by constructing two additional broiler houses, with the capacity to carry
1 500 broiler chickens each, providing water supply as well as solar energy. “We also afforded this project an opportunity to expand its service catalogue by providing a structure for egg-layers, to enable the beneficiaries to sell fresh eggs to the nearby communities”, said Rosemary Mthunywa; Specialist Community Development.
Exxaro also enlisted the service of an accredited Agri-business skills and mentorship service provider, to provide accredited agricultural business skills to the beneficiaries of this project. “It was a great delight to commemorate the 10th birthday anniversary celebration of this project with the graduation ceremony from Agri-business skills training, earlier this year”, added Rosemary.
The project started with 6 unemployed and determined women with children to support in their households. The objectives behind this project was that of poverty alleviation, permanent job creation as well as skills development. Today the project has 8 full-time employed people including two males who work as Gardener and night Security-guard respectively. The beneficiaries are determined to create a permanent employment opportunity for one disabled member of the community in the near future.
With the already existing moral support from the Tribal Council of Mmashakane village, the sky is the limit for this project.