Female farmer up for award

2008-08-12 16:01

Tzaneen - A rural woman who grows and sells vegetables, and has created jobs for 11 unemployed people, will compete for the 2008 provincial female farmer of the year award in Limpopo later this month.

Selaelo Ragakole, 42, of Lemondekop village outside Tzaneen, was named the best female farmer in the Mopani district municipality on Friday.

"I am very excited. I never thought that my work will get such recognition. It's like a dream," said the mother of five after winning a cheque of R5&nmbsp;000.

In 2003, Rakagole was a housewife and her husband was working in Johannesburg as a driver.

"There was not enough money at home, so I decided to start a vegetable garden to help feed the children. As time went on, I saw a business opportunity in selling vegetables," she said.

After she approached the local traditional leadership, Rakagole was given a 13-hectare piece of land in which to start a vegetable project.

Today, Tiang Matla (Be Strong) Vegetable Project boasts more than 50 000 vegetable plants, which include tomatoes, cabbages, green pepper and mustard plants.

The produce is sold at fresh produce markets in Johannesburg and Pretoria, and some is exported to neighbouring countries like Botswana.

"We donate some of the food to orphans, sick people and poor families in the community," she said.

Rakagole said the secret of her success is believing in herself.

"When I started the project, I didn't know a thing about farming. But even when thing were tough, I refused to give up. I am happy today because I have created jobs in the village," she said.

The national Department of Agriculture initiated the female farmer of the year awards in 1999 to empower women in agriculture by recognising their contributions and increasing their visibility.

The Limpopo female farmer of the year awards will be held on 22 August at Bolivia Lodge, Polokwane.

- African Eye