sersa programme report

T H E S E R S A P R O G R A M M E R E P O R T

Growing Our Food ndash Sustaining Our Future Sharing Stories from the Fields

1Growing Our Food ndash Sustaining Our Future Sharing Stories from the Fields

Table of Contents

Abbreviations and Glossary of Terms 2

Useful Concepts 3

Message from the Deputy Director ndash Foundation for Human Rights 4

Message from the Government of Flanders 6

Message from the SERSA Programme Manager 7

About the Foundation for the Human Rights 8

Background to the SERSA programme 9

Work of the Foundation for Human Rights 10

Small-Scale and Subsistence Farming 10

Socio-economic Rights and Job Creation 27

Land in South Africa 45

Food Security in South Africa ndash promoting dialogue on the Right to food 47

Climate Change 49

List of Grantees 50

2 THE SERSA PROJECT REPORT

ANC African National Congress

FHR Foundation for Human Rights

WHO World Health Organisation

FAO Food and Agricultural Organisation

NGO Non-Governmental Organisation

CBO Community-Based Organisation

OVC Orphaned and Vulnerable Children

HIV THU0TTUVKLAumlJPLUJ`=PYZ

DoA Department of Agriculture

EU European Union

UNFCCC United Nations Framework on Climate Change

PGS Participatory Guarantee System

DoJampCD Department of Justice amp Constitutional Development

CCS Catholic Community Services

ABBREVIATIONS AND GLOSSARY OF TERMS


Below are some useful concepts necessary for the

easy reading of this document

Food SecurityIn 1996 the World Food Summit developed the following KLAumlUP[PVUVMMVVKZLJYP[ -VVKLJYP[`PZcedilÔLUHSSWLVWSLH[HSS[PTLZOH]LHJJLZZ[VZѝJPLU[ZHMLU[YP[PVZMVVK[VTHPU[HPUHOLHS[O`HUKHJ[P]LSPMLsup1

+LAumlUP[PVUKL]LSVWLKH[[OL gtVYSK-VVKTTP[

PermacultureThe term developed as a combination of permanent HUKHNYPJS[YL7LYTHJS[YLPZHWOPSVZVWO`VMworking with rather than against nature of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labour of looking at plants and animals in all their functions rather than treating any area as a ZPUNSLWYVKJ[Z`Z[LT4VSSPZVU)HUKVSTNYLU+7LYTHJS[YL

Organic Farming cedil6YNHUPJMHYTPUN^VYRZPUOHYTVU`^P[OUH[YLYH[OLY[OHUHNHPUZ[P[OPZPU]VS]LZZPUN[LJOUPXLZ[Vachieve good crop yields without harming the natural LU]PYVUTLU[VY[OLWLVWSLÔVSP]LHUK^VYRPUP[sup1+9([OLVYNHUPJVYNHUPZH[PVU

Food Sovereignty cedil-VVKZV]LYLPNU[`PZ[OLYPNO[VMWLVWSL[VOLHS[O`HUKculturally appropriate food produced through ecologically ZVUKHUKZZ[HPUHISLTL[OVKZHUK[OLPYYPNO[[VKLAumlUL[OLPYVÛMVVKHUKHNYPJS[YHSZ`Z[LTZ0[W[Z[OVZLwho produce distribute and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than the demands VMTHYRL[ZHUKJVYWVYH[PVUZ0[KLMLUKZ[OLPU[LYLZ[ZHUKPUJSZPVUVM[OLUL_[NLULYH[PVUsup1-VYTMVY-VVKV]LYLPNU[

USEFUL CONCEPTS


OL-VUKH[PVUMVYTHU9PNO[Z-9PZJVTTP[[LKto assisting the most vulnerable groups in South Africa YLHSPZL[OLPYOTHUYPNO[ZNHYHU[LLKPU[OLVUZ[P[[PVUIn South Africa not only civil and political rights but also ZVJPVLJVUVTPJYPNO[ZHYLQZ[PJPHISL

FHR subscribes to a human rights-based approach to KL]LSVWTLU[-YVTHOTHUYPNO[ZWLYZWLJ[P]LWV]LY[`can be described as the denial of a personrsquos right to HYHUNLVMOTHUYPNO[Z(WVVYWLYZVUPZVULÔVPZdeprived of basic capabilities - such as the capability to be free from hunger to live in good health and to be LKJH[LK0U[OLSHUNHNLVMYPNO[ZVULTH`ZH`[OH[Hpoor person is one for whom a number of human rights YLTHPUUMSAumlSSLKparaZJOHZ[OLYPNO[Z[VMVVKOLHS[OHUKLKJH[PVU

Through the assistance of the Flanders Government we have been able to move away from addressing more than just a conceptual framework for development but HSZVWYHJ[PJHSWYVQLJ[Z[VHJOPL]L[OPZVIQLJ[P]LOLsharp focus of the Flanders Government support for land reform small-scale agriculture climate change the environment and job creation in three designated provinces allowed for a practical application of these JVUJLW[Z

This includes supporting small-scale farmers with agricultural and non-farm development as a basis for YYHSKL]LSVWTLU[7V]LY[`PZTVYL[OHUQZ[HSHJRVMPUJVTL7V]LY[`PZHSZVHIV[WV^LYHUKPULXHSP[ Therefore we are especially proud of the focus of [OLWYVNYHTTLVU^VTLUMHYTLYZgtVTLUOH]LMVYNLULYH[PVUZILLUPU]VS]LKPUZTHSSZJHSLMHYTPUNOL`need to be supported in these endeavours through agricultural support services creation of new markets and local sharing of resources such as agricultural LXPWTLU[

Employment is an instrumental right by which socio-LJVUVTPJYPNO[ZJHUILHJJLZZLK1VIJYLH[PVUOHZHTS[PMHJL[LKJHZJHKPUNLќLJ[VUJVTTUP[PLZPTWHJ[PUNWVZP[P]LS`VU[OLTVZ[]SULYHISLWLYZVUZSouth Africarsquos Constitution upholds peoplersquos right to a JSLHUHUKOLHS[O`LU]PYVUTLU[0[HSZVZLJYLZ[OLPYYPNO[[VWHY[PJPWH[LPUHSSTH[[LYZVMWISPJJVUJLYU(ZHUinitiative of civil society the projectrsquos compatibility with UH[PVUHSWVSPJ`YLZ[ZVU[OPZMVUKH[PVU

We want to express our gratitude and recognise the MVUKPUNYVSLVM[OLPUP[PH[VYHUKAumlYZ[7YVQLJ[6ѝJLYMYVT[OL-SHUKLYZV]LYUTLU[4ZOYPZ[LS6WKL)LLJROLZWWVY[^LYLJLP]LKMYVT[OLZJJLZZP]L7YVNYHTTL6ѝJLYZ4Z2H[YPLU+LQVUNOHUK4Z2H[YPLU=HUKLWSHK[ZLHYLHSZVYLJVNUPZLKHUKHWWYLJPH[LK6MJVYZL[OLVULJVUZ[HU[[OYLHK[OLKPSPNLU[HUKLѝJPLU[-PUHUJL4HUHNLY4Z4PJOLSSL5HKPZVUHSZVKLZLY]LZWSHKP[Z

We are grateful to the Flanders Government for their support and the commitment shown to development by [OLPYHISLYLWYLZLU[H[P]LZPU[OLAumlLSK

Hanif Vally Deputy Director Foundation for Human

Rights

Message from the Foundation for Human Rights



Flanders has a tradition of addressing human rights a [YHKP[PVUKH[PUNIHJR[V[OLYLNPVUraquoZTLKPHL]HSJOHY[LYZToday the Government of Flanders abides by the WYPUJPWSL[OH[OTHUYPNO[ZYLAringLJ[[OLMUKHTLU[HS]HSLZVMHJVTTUP[ ]HSLZVMQZ[PJLLXHSP[ KPNUP[ T[HSYLZWLJ[HUKZVSPKHYP[ -VY-SHUKLYZYLZWLJ[MVYOTHUrights is not only a legal but also an ethical obligation which must apply to both its own citizens and to its PU[LYUH[PVUHSYLSH[PVUZ

Therefore human rights and good governance are a fundamental component of Flemish foreign and KL]LSVWTLU[JVVWLYH[PVUWVSPJPLZOLV]LYUTLU[VMFlanders fosters partnerships with strong civil society and non-governmental organisations maintaining that these play an integral role in promoting the knowledge of human rights in monitoring human rights progress in reporting on human rights violations and in developing HUKLTILKKPUNHJS[YLVMYLZWLJ[MVYOTHUYPNO[Z OL-VUKH[PVUMVYTHU9PNO[Z-9MHJPSP[H[LZnational dialogue processes which allow for civil societyrsquos contribution to the national human rights debate and also proactively provides resources and support

MVYJP]PSZVJPL[ÙL[^VYRPUN-SHUKLYZraquoZWWVY[[VHUKcooperation with them was a natural progression within the Flemish development cooperation programme in V[O(MYPJH2L`PU[OLKLJPZPVU[VWYV]PKLZWWVY[was the Foundationrsquos rights-based approach to poverty HUKPULXHSP[ OPZHWWYVHJONP]LZWYPVYP[`[V[OLTVZ[vulnerable groups in society and works towards ensuring their rights as enshrined in the South African Constitution as well as by international conventions to which the V]LYUTLU[VMV[O(MYPJHPZZPNUH[VY The Participation and Development of Capabilities of Civil Society in realising Socio-Economic Rights in South (MYPJH9(7YVQLJ[MVJZLZVUHJOPL]PUNZVJPVeconomic rights and strengthening the capacity of civil society to engage in public policy dialogue in areas such as the right to food and the right to a healthy and clean LU]PYVUTLU[(Z[OLV]LYHSSVIQLJ[P]LVM[OLWYVQLJ[PZ[Vsupport promote and protect these rights as established in the South African Constitution emphasis has been placed on actual rights-based practice including measurement of its implementation and practice by stakeholders both government and organisations on the NYVUK The Government of Flanders is concerned that respect MVYOTHUYPNO[ZPZILJVTPUNSLZZVMHNP]LUgtL[OLYLMVYL[OHUR[OL-9MVYP[ZLќVY[Z[VJVU[LY[OPZ[YLUKHUK^LLUJVYHNL[OLILULAumlJPHYPLZVM[OPZWYVQLJ[[VJVU[PUL^P[O[OLHJ[P]P[PLZÔPJOP[OHZZWWVY[LK0[OHZILLUHWYP]PSLNL[VILPU]VS]LKPU[OPZLќVY[HUKP[PZour sincere hope that the FHR will continue to implement WYVNYHTTLZ[OH[ILULAuml[[OVZLTVZ[HќLJ[LKI`PULXHSP[`HUKWV]LY[ HUKÔPJOZ[YP]L[VMSAumlS[OLZVJPVLJVUVTPJYPNO[ZVM[OL]SULYHISL

Dr Geraldine Reymenants General Representative

Government of Flandersrdquo

Message from the Government of Flanders


(Z[OL7YVNYHTTL4HUHNLYVM[OL9(7YVNYHTTL0HThappy to state that it gave the FHR an opportunity to go beyond its traditional work of supporting activities that promote human YPNO[ZH^HYLULZZHK]VJHJ`HUKSVII`PUN0[HJOPL]LK[OPZI`supporting activities that enabled communities to realise their rights by supporting subsistence and small-scale farming as a TLHUZ[VYLHSPZL[OLYPNO[[VMVVKVYHTLHUZVMJYLH[PUNQVIZEither way the success of this programme was the fact that even in instances where the aim was to help communities realise their YPNO[[VMVVK^LVM[LUMVUK[OH[ZVTLILULAumlJPHYPLZWYVKJLKHZYWSZPU[OLPYOHY]LZ[4VZ[NYHU[LLZLUKLKWZLSSPUN[OLZYWSZHUK[OPZHSSV^LK[OLT[VNLULYH[LPUJVTL[OL`YLXPYL[VZZ[HPU[OLPYSP]LSPOVVKZ

P]LU[OH[[OL-9^HZ]LY`ZWLJPAumlJPUP[ZZWWVY[VMVYNHUPZH[PVUZthat utilised the agro-ecological methods in their farming the [YHKLVќ^HZ[OH[[OLVYNHUPZH[PVUZ^LZWWVY[LK^LYLHISL[Vovercome the impact to drought that hit the country from 2015 to [OLLHYS`WHY[VMOPZHSZVTLHU[[OH[VYNYHU[LLZHYLHZ[LWahead of many others in thinking about adapting to the impact of JSPTH[LJOHUNL

This programme was very exciting as it presented us with so THU`]HYPHISLZ[OH[YLXPYLKAringL_PIPSP[ OLZL]HYPLKMYVTNYHU[LLZneeding to deal with various weather patterns to dealing with IPNNLY`PLSKZVMWYVKJL[OHUHU[PJPWH[LKÔPJOYLXPYLK[OLTto come up with strategies that were aimed at enabling them [VYLHJO[OLTHYRL[Z(ZHYLZS[[OLYL^HZHULLK[VJSVZLS`TVUP[VYWYVQLJ[ZHUK[VHSSV^[OLNYHU[LLZAringL_PIPSP[`^P[OPU[OLHNYLLKWHYHTL[LYZ[VKV[OLPY^VYROLWYVNYHTTLJVU[YPI[LKto building the capacity of the grantees to sustain their projects IL`VUK[OLMUKPUNWLYPVK

The implementation of this project saw the FHR working with various stakeholders on initiatives that were aimed at creating jobs and addressing food insecurity within communities where grantees VWLYH[LMYVTLUJLP[^HZL_JP[PUN[VNL[HUVWWVY[UP[`VMZLLPUNSP]LZJOHUNLK0^HZLUJVYHNLKÔLU0TL[^VTLUMYVTAPTLSLVVWLYH[P]LZWWVY[LKI`)PV^H[JOgtOH[PUZWPYLKTLHIV[their programme was to see how Biowatch has helped the group V]LYJVTLJOHSSLUNLZVMPSSP[LYHJÌÀumlUKPUNPUUV]H[P]L^H`ZVMhelping the members to keep count of how much they consumed HUKZVSKHZZYWSZMYVT[OLPYNHYKLUZOPZTL[OVKVSVN`

empowered community members as they were able to track the productivity of their gardens and to track how much money was due to them as they sold their surplus to supermarkets as HJVSSLJ[P]LI was also inspired by the story of Lindiwe a small-scale farmer who was trained on agro-ecological farming practices by the Siyavuna Abalimi +L]LSVWTLU[LU[YLAlthough she had always been passionate about ^VYRPUN[OLZVPSP[[VVROLYHÔPSL[VZ[HY[HNHYKLUOL[OLUKLJPKLK[VNP]LWSHU[PUNHNVI`Z[HY[PUNHVZLOVSKHYKLULLPUN[OLZJJLZZVMOLYLќVY[ZZOLKLJPKLK[VL_[LUKOLYWSV[^P[OHXHY[LYVMHOLJ[HYLVMSHUKZOLYLJLP]LKMYVTOLYMH[OLY3PUKP^LUV^LTWSV`Z[OYLLV[OLY^VTLU0OH]LOPNOSPNO[LKQZ[[^VVM[OLTHU`Z[VYPLZ[OH[OHKTLLU[OZLKOPZPZ[OL[LZ[HTLU[[V[OLZJJLZZVM[OPZWYVNYHTTL

0HJRUV^SLKNL[OLJVU[YPI[PVUTHKLI`[OL-9Z[Hќ7OPSHUP4HKSL[`HUH[OL9(7YVQLJ[6ѝJLYOHZILLU[OLWPSSHYVM[OLWYVNYHTTL3PZH9^VKVÔVQVPULK[OLWYVNYHTTLSH[LY[OPZ`LHYHUKVYWYL]PVZPU[LYUZVSHUKH9HKHUK5[VRVaVAVUKP

I am grateful to each and every one of these colleagues as my ^VYR^HZTHKLLHZPLY^P[O[OLPYJVU[YPI[PVUHUKZWWVY[0HTHSZVNYH[LMS[V[OL-9AumlUHUJL[LHTZWLJPAumlJHSS`2PY[HU7LTHLUPVY-PUHUJL4HUHNLYHUK[OLKPYLJ[VYH[LVM[OL-9MVY[OLPYNPKHUJL

I also would like to thank the Government of Flanders for providing AumlUHUJPHSZWWVY[[V[OLWYVNYHTTL0UHKKP[PVU[V[OLPU]HSHISLZWWVY[[OL`VќLYLKP[OHZILLUHWSLHZYL^VYRPUN^P[O[OLT

Mamashoabathe Noko SERSA Programme Manager Project

Management Unit

Message from the Programme Manager of SERSA


The FHR is a grant making institution supporting civil society organisations in South Africa and the region to implement programmes which promote and WYV[LJ[OTHUYPNO[ZOL-9PZHUVUNV]LYUTLU[HSVYNHUPZH[PVU56ZÔPJOHZZPZ[ZV[OLY56ZPUrealising the human rights outlined in the Constitution through successfully responding to calls for proposals for ZWLJPAumlLKHJ[P]P[PLZ

V[O(MYPJHraquoZAumlYZ[KLTVJYH[PJHSS`LSLJ[LKWYLZPKLU[5LSZVU4HUKLSHZPNULK[OLHNYLLTLU[LZ[HISPZOPUNthe FHR on behalf of the government of South Africa PU OL+LWHY[TLU[VM1Z[PJLHUKVUZ[P[[PVUHS+L]LSVWTLU[+V113+^HZUVTPUH[LKHZ[OLSPULministry overseeing the programme with the FHR as [OLPTWSLTLU[PUNHNLUJ OL+V113+^HZUVTPUH[LKas the line ministry overseeing the programme with the -9HZ[OLPTWSLTLU[PUNHNLUJ 0U[OL+V113+HUK[OLYVWLHUltUPVUltHNYLLK[OH[[OLYVWLHUUnion Foundation would become an independent entity RUVÛHZ[OL-9

VISION An entrenched participatory democracy symbolised by a vibrant civil society having realised their rights in the Constitution freed from social injustice living in a society based on democratic values social justice and MUKHTLU[HSOTHUYPNO[Z

MISSIONThe Foundationrsquos mission is to address the historical legacy of apartheid to promote and advance transformation in our country and to build a human YPNO[ZJS[YLZPUN[OLVUZ[P[[PVUHZH[VVS

Rights-Based ApproachThe FHR believes a human rights-based approach to development provides the necessary conceptual MYHTL^VYRMVYOTHUKL]LSVWTLU[OPZHWWYVHJOemphasises participation non-discrimination LTWV^LYTLU[HUKYLZWLJ[MVYOTHUYPNO[ZOLhuman rights focus also brings two important values to development work it provides a framework for policies and programmes and provides the poor with the power to demand accountability in order to overcome poverty ÔLYL[OLYLPZHUPTIHSHUJLPUWV^LYYLSH[PVUZ

The FHR is committed to expanding human rights awareness and provides support to civil society VYNHUPZH[PVUZ6ZPU[OLOTHUYPNO[ZZLJ[VY[VOLSW]SULYHISLHUKKPZHK]HU[HNLKNYVWZcedilAumlUK[OLPY]VPJLZsup1The FHR stresses the importance of the universality and inalienability of human rights the indivisibility interdependence and interrelatedness of these rights HUK[OLIHZPJWYLTPZLVMLXHSP[`V]LYKPZJYPTPUH[PVU

The FHR believes that rights education is essential to JOHUNLOLV[O(MYPJHUVUZ[P[[PVUPU[OL)PSSVMRights states that all human beings are entitled to their rights without discrimination on grounds of race colour sex ethnicity age language religion politics national or ZVJPHSVYPNPUHUKKPZHIPSP[ 1

1 The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS


South Africa has made a number of gains post the HWHY[OLPKLYHPU[OLHSSL]PH[PVUVMWV]LY[`HUKPULXHSP[`PU[OLJVU[Y (S[OVNOV[O(MYPJHPZVM[LUYLJVNUPZLKHZ[OLTVZ[ULXHSJVU[Y`PU[OL^VYSKgtVYSK)HUR136_MHTHUTILYVMWVSPJPLZOH]LILLUKL]LSVWLKHY[PJSH[PUNLќVY[ZI`[OLJVU[Y`[VHKKYLZZ[OLZLZVJPHSPSSZOLZLWVSPJPLZOV^L]LYOH]LUV[HS^H`Ztranslated into solutions to addressing unemployment WV]LY[`HUKPULXHSP[ OLZLPZZLZHYLYLJVNUPZLKI`various researchers as interacting in complex ways and YLTHPU[OLJVU[Y`raquoZTVZ[WYLZZPUNWYVISLTZ

The SERSA programme is funded by the Government of -SHUKLYZOLYLPUHM[LY-SHUKLYZMVYHWLYPVKVM[OYLL`LHYZ

beginning 2013 - 2015 December the amount of Aacute

FHR was funded to manage these resources and distribute to CSOs working in the agrarian sector ZWLJPAumlJHSS`SVVRPUNH[WYV]PKPUNZWWVY[MVYZTHSSZJHSLMHYTPUNSHUKYLMVYTJSPTH[LJOHUNLHUKQVIJYLH[PVUThree priority provinces were selected these being Free [H[L3PTWVWVHUK2^HAS5H[HSOLWYVNYHTTLfocused on promoting organic small agriculture as a TLHUZ[VHSSL]PH[LWV]LY[ OLWYPUJPWSLI`-SHUKLYZPZthat people must be given power to produce their own food and to be actively involved as participants in the MVVK]HSLJOHPU

Expected Result Was Result Area themes

90TWYV]LKHJJLZZ[VQZ[PJLPUJSKPUNrestorative justice mechanisms for ]SULYHISLHUKTHYNPUHSPZLKNYVWZ

93HUKLUYLHUK9LMVYT7YVQLJ[LZWLJPHSS`SHUK reform 100thHUUP]LYZHY`9THSSHUKZIZPZ[LUJLZJHSLMHYTPUNWYVQLJ[9VJPVLJVUVTPJYPNO[ZHUKQVIJYLH[PVUWYVQLJ[

9UOHUJLKWHY[PJPWH[VY`KLTVJYHJ`through public policy dialogue and Z[YLUN[OLUPUN[OLJHWHJP[`VM6Z

9[YLUN[OLUPUNKPHSVNLHTVUNNV]LYUTLU[OHW[LY Institutions and CSOs 9[YLUN[OLUPUN[OLJHWHJP[`VM6Z[VLUNHNLPUWISPJpolicy dialogue 99PNO[[V-VVKLJYP[`7YVQLJ[9SPTH[LOHUNL7YVQLJ[

10 BACKGROUND TO THE SERSA PROGRAMME


Despite a range of developmental policies drafted over the past 15 years the country has had little successes in addressing the burden brought about by centuries VMJVSVUPHSPZTHUKKLJHKLZVMHWHY[OLPKOLTHU+L]LSVWTLU[0UKL_+0OHZKLJSPULKPUV[O(MYPJHPUpart due to the economic downturn and the devastating PTWHJ[VM0=HUK(0+_[LUZP]LSLNPZSH[PVUWVSPJPLZand strategies have been enacted in order to address the marginalisation of the poor and vulnerable particularly ^VTLUHUKJOPSKYLUWV]LY[`HUKPULXHSP[`JVU[PUL[VKLLWLUPNOSL]LSZVMULTWSV`TLU[JVU[PUL[V[YHWthe poor in a constant spiral of poverty with many South (MYPJHUZSP]PUNPUPUHKLXH[LJVUKP[PVUZOLZLJVUKP[PVUZhave the potential of exposing vulnerable people to communicable diseases such as tuberculosis cholera HUK0=(0+

The work of the FHR under the SERSA programme is MVJZLKVUAuml]LYLZS[HYLHZ[OLZLILPUNZTHSSZJHSLHUKZIZPZ[LUJLMHYTPUNZVJPVparaLJVUVTPJYPNO[ZHUKQVIJYLH[PVUMVVKZLJYP[`HUKSHUKYPNO[ZOLZLYLZS[HYLHZseek to support the realisation of socio-economic rights as envisaged in the South African Constitution and also UHYYV^PUN[OLPULXHSP[`HUKWV]LY[`NHW

21 Small-Scale and Subsistence Farming Under this thematic area the SERSA programme supports organisations that seek to empower communities through employing small-scale and subsistence farming initiatives in rural and semi- urban

JVTTUP[PLZ(TVUN[OLTVZ[]SULYHISLVMWVVYJVTTUP[PLZHYLMHYT^VYRLYZHUKMHYTK^LSSLYZFarm dwellers are faced with continued evictions new forms of dispossession violence homelessness human rights abuses and rural displacement however these challenges cannot be addressed without the MUKHTLU[HSYLZ[YJ[YPUNVM[OLHNYPJS[YHSLJVUVT (UFHR funded study showed that a million farm dwellers were evicted from the farms on which they worked KYPUN[OLAumlYZ[`LHYZVMKLTVJYHJ -HYTK^LSSLYZhave been excluded from broader agrarian reform in South Africa as the changes brought by the democratic [YHUZP[PVUOH]LUV[HќLJ[LK[OLULXHSZVJPHSHUKWVSP[PJHSWV^LYÔPJO[OL`^LYL]PJ[PTZVMOLZP[H[PVUof farm dwellers compounds issues of access to land for productive use and long-term security of tenure which both impact sustainable livelihoods and food ZLJYP[ OLYLPZHSZVNLULYHSJVUZLUZZPU[OLJVU[Y`that in order to eradicate poverty in rural areas and improve livelihoods it is important not only to facilitate access and control over land natural and productive resources but also to support small-scale farmers with agricultural and non-farm development as a basis for YYHSKL]LSVWTLU[HUKLJVUVTPJYLZ[YJ[YPUN

It is essential to change the nature of the agricultural economy to include access to primary local markets THUHNLTLU[VMYLZVYJLZHUKPUZ[P[[PVUHSKL]LSVWTLU[This change should be based on cooperative principles while encouraging broader agricultural transformation to support and promote ecological agriculture fair trade HUKHWWYVWYPH[LMHYTPUN[LJOUVSVNPLZOPZWYVNYHTTLin supporting small scale farming initiatives took into HJJVU[[OLHIV]LMHJ[VYZ-9]PZP[LKHUTILYVMorganisations it supports under this theme and the MVSSV^PUNZ[VYPLZVMJOHUNL^LYLZOHYLK

20 Work of the Foundation for Human Rights


Biowatch supported a small scale farming project in [OL4[IH[IH3VJHS4UPJPWHSP[ OPZTUPJPWHSP[`has a population of 175 425 and is situated along [OLUVY[OLYUJVHZ[HSILS[VM2^HAS5H[HSHUKPU[OLZV[OLHZ[LYUJVYULYVM[OL4ROHU`HRKL+PZ[YPJ[4UPJPWHSP[ 4[IH[IHPZSVJH[LKYVNOS`RPSVTL[YLZRTUVY[OVM+YIHUHUKRTUVY[OVM[OL9PJOHYKZ)H

The main economic sectors are community service MVSSV^LKI`HNYPJS[YLJVTTLYJPHSHUKYL[HPS0[has an unemployment rate of 39 and a youth ULTWSV`TLU[YH[LVMÔPJOPZVULVM[OLOPNOLZ[PU[OLJVU[Y OLSHYNLZ[OVZLOVSK[`WLPZVMMLTHSLOLHKLKOVZLOVSKZH[

Figure 1 Location of Mtubatuba in the KwaZulu-Natal province

Biowatch - Supporting Farmers to improve their farming practices in the 4[IH[IHHYLH


In 2005 a group of 10 unemployed community members PU[OLYYHSV[ZRPY[ZVM2^HAS5H[HS^P[O[OLULLK

and the aim to feed their families MVYTLKAPTLSLVVWLYH[P]LThe current chairperson of the co-operative joined a year after

its formation and remembers the fears and frustrations of [OVZLMVUKPUNTLTILYZVKH `LHYZSH[LY[OLJVVWLYH[P]LJVUZPZ[ZVM ^VTLUHUKVULTHU

As with any new initiative mistakes are made and UL PTWYV]LKTVYLLѝJPLU[^H`ZHYLMVUK[VH[[HPU[OLILZ[YLZS[Z6ULVM[OLJVVWLYH[P]LTLTILYZYLTLTILYZ[OPZcedilgtL^LYLZPUNMLY[PSPZLYHUKJOLTPJHSZwhen we started however we were later approached by Biowatch who proposed that we adopt a new method of farming which would cost less and was a healthier VW[PVUgtLHNYLLK[V)PV^H[JOraquoZHWWYVHJOILJHZL^L^HU[LK[V[LZ[[OLTL[OVKVYZLS]LZ[VZLLPMP[^VYRLKsup1

This is how this group of aspirant farmers were taught TVYLLU]PYVUTLU[HSS`MYPLUKS`HUKJVZ[LќLJ[P]LTL[OVKZVMWYVKJ[PVUV^L]LYMHYTPUNKVLZUV[ILNPUHUKend with the cultivation of produce alone business THUHNLTLU[HUKZVUKAumlUHUJPHSWYHJ[PJLPZLXHSS`HZPTWVY[HU[HZPYYPNH[PVUHUKJVTWVZ[PUNOLYLHZYLYof the co-operative explains ldquoBiowatch took us through training on planting our seedlings we also attended training on marketing which allowed us to determine prices for both the seedlings and the vegetablesrdquo

Biowatch played another important role in connecting [OLVVWLYH[P]L^P[OHZZ[HPUHISLTLHUPUNMSTHYRL[All too often co-operatives solely focus on the agricultural aspect and succumb as no means of bringing produce [VTHYRL[PZMVUKOL+LW[`LJYL[HY`L_WSHPUZ[OH[through the training process Biowatch proposed that the co-operative start selling some of its produce to buyers ourselves we now have two Boxer supermarkets HUKZ[YLL[]LUKVYZVYKLYPUNMYVTZgtLOH]LVYKLYZMYVT4VUKH`[VH[YKH`HUKZVTL[PTLZ^LZLUKorders twice a day especially towards the end of the TVU[OÔLYL[OLKLTHUKPZOPNOsup1

ldquoWe were using fertiliser and chemicals when we started however we were later approached by Biowatch who proposed that we adopt a new method of farming which would cost less and was a healthier optionrdquo Member of Zimele Cooperative

APTLSLVVWLYH[P]L


Placing a group of people together to work together HUKZOHYLPUWYVJLLKZJHUWYLZLU[JOHSSLUNLZV^L]LYAPTLSLVVWLYH[P]LTHUHNLK[VAumlUKHULXP[HISL^H`[VZOHYLSHIVYHUK[OLYLZS[HU[WYVJLLKZ[OLYLVMEach member of the co-operative owns a portion in the market garden and depending on the order they collect [OLWYVKJLMYVTTLTILYZIHZLKVUHZLXLUJPUNTL[OVKsup10M)V_LY^HU[ZIUJOLZVMZWPUHJO^LJVSSLJ[IUJOLZMYVTAuml]LVM[OLTLTILYZraquoNHYKLUZ[V[V[HS[OLVYKLYgtL[OLUJOHYNL[OLI`LY[YHUZWVY[Once the bunches are sold the member has the option [VYLXLZ[[OH[[OLÌLWHPKIHJR[OLPY[YHUZWVY[JVZ[ZHUK[OLYLZ[PZKLWVZP[LKPU[V[OLJVVWLYH[P]LraquoZHJJVU[The member has her own book where heshe records the amount they made from each sale and the deputy ZLJYL[HY`HSZVRLLWZYLJVYKZ([[OLLUKVM[OL`LHY[V[HSsales are calculated and each member receives their KLsup1

The co-operative initiative is not solely aimed at empowering the 30 participants of the scheme I[[OLYLZ[VM[OLJVTTUP[`HZ^LSSAPTLSLVoperative applies two methodologies in empowering [OLZYYVUKPUNJVTTUP[ OLAumlYZ[PZ]LY`KPYLJ[HUK

positive the co-operative gives back to the community by sharing vegetable produce and their income with the WVVYldquoEvery once a year we hold an event in August where we call all the orphaned and vulnerable children in the community we give them food packages which OH]L]LNL[HISLZYPJLHUK[PUZVMAumlZOpara^LZLTVUL`NHPULKMYVT[OLZHSLZMVY[OPZsup1HTLTILYVM[OLJVVWLYH[P]LL_WSHPUZ

OLZLJVUKHWWYVHJO[VILULAuml[[PUN[OLJVTTUP[`PZPUKLLKUJVU]LU[PVUHS`L[ZLLTPUNS`LќLJ[P]LHRPUNMYVT[OLHKHNLcedilP]LHTHUHAumlZOHUK`VMLLKOPTMVYHKH I[PM`V[LHJOOPTOV^[VAumlZO`VMLLKhim for a lifetimerdquo the approach is meant to minimise dependency and empower the community start their VÛJVVWLYH[P]LZJOLTLZAPTLSLJOHYNLZHTJOhigher price to community members and the rationale is to encourage the community to follow their steps and Z[HY[MHYTPUNOL+LW[`LJYL[HY`L_WSHPUZOV^[OPZZLLTPUNSÒHYZOHWWYVHJOPZTLHU[[V`PLSKYLZS[ZcedilgtLcharge double to the community if the vegetables are expensive then they [the community] will think of starting W[OLPYVÛMVVKNHYKLUZsup1


The story of Sizakele 4RO^HUHaP

cedil0OHKQZ[YLZPNULKMYVTT`QVIPU+YIHUÔLYLHZI was working as a gardener when I joined the co-VWLYH[P]L7YPVY[VQVPUPUN[OL^VTLUPU[OLJVVWLYH[P]Lencouraged me to join them I went to see where they ^LYLMHYTPUNHUK0KLJPKLK[VI`H[^VXPYLL_LYJPZLbook where I kept record of how they were farming I ^HU[LK[VSLHYUHZTJOHZ0JVSK0[OLUQVPULK[OLTHUK0Z[HY[LK^VYRPUNPU[OLMVVKNHYKLU0^HZSH[LYelected as the deputy secretary and I attended a number VM[YHPUPUNZVYNHUPZLKI`)PV^H[JO0JVU[PULK[V^YP[LPUT`[^VXPYLL]LY`[OPUN0OHKSLHYULKHUKILJHZLmost of the members of the co-operative are illiterate I JVTLIHJROVTLHUK[LHJO[OLTÔH[0OH]LSLHYULKI have a gained a lot from the training as not only am I HISL[VZLVYNHUPJ^H`ZVMNHYKLUPUN0HTHSZVHISL[Vshare my knowledge with community members at times 0HTHZRLK[VOVSK[HSRZPUZJOVVSZVUWLYTHJS[YLOPZ

opportunity has enabled me to take my four children through school my eldest was in college studying electrical engineering and I managed to pay for his

ZJOVVSPUNILJHZLT`WHY[ULYPZHSZVUV[^VYRPUN0made R4 200 this year this will help me to buy bricks [VAumlUPZOIPSKPUNT`MVYILKYVVTOVZL0MP[^HZUraquo[MVYthe drought I would have made more nevertheless I am happyrdquo

Interview with Project 4HUHNLYH[)PV^H[JO3H^YLUJL4ROHSPWOP

Mkhaliphi on the inception of the project cedilgtLZ[HY[LK[OLWYVQLJ[^P[O[OLJVVWLYH[P]LILJHZLwe wanted to help the community to learn more about OLHS[O`HUKTVYLWYVKJ[P]L^H`ZVMMHYTPUNOLZLHYLJVZ[LќLJ[P]LÔPJOIHZPJHSS`TLHUZ[OH[TLTILYZcan utilise the funds they had budgeted for food such


HZ]LNL[HISLZ[V^HYKZZVTL[OPUNLSZLgtLOLSW[OLcommunities to set up food gardens and we locate them in such way that they receive underground water or that they are on a slope location so that if it rains the rain ^H[LYAringV^Z[V^HYKZ[OLNHYKLUsup1

On Biowatchrsquos service to the community and the training programme-cedilgtP[OLHJOJVTTUP[ ^L[HYNL[TLTILYZTLHUPUNwe also set up 30 learning sites which are the food NHYKLUZ6YL_WLJ[H[PVUPZ[OH[[OL[YHPULLZ^PSSILHISL

to able to share the knowledge gained from the trainings with other community members so the model used PZH[YHPU[OL[YHPULYZgtL[YHPU[OL[YHPULYZVU]HYPVZsubjects which are all targeted at promoting permaculture farming this also includes teaching them about marketing packaging and pricing so that they are able run farming IZPULZZLZWe also teach them water harvesting [LJOUPXLZILJHZL^H[LYPZZJHYJLOV^L]LYP[JHUILrecycled so that they use it for gardeningrdquo

On community outreach initiatives-cedil6ULVM[OLJVUKP[PVUZZL[MVYILPUNWHY[VM[OLWYVQLJ[PZ[OH[[OLILULAumlJPHYPLZTZ[HSZV[HRLJHYLVM[OLWVVYin their communities so through the annual seedlings ritual we invite other members of the community and NP]L[OLTZVTLVM[OLWYVKJL6YILULAumlJPHYPLZHYLmostly women and this is because when you talk about food you talk about women at any household women are YLZWVUZPISLMVYJVVRPUN0M[OLYLPZHTHUPU[OLOVZLand he is employed he will give the woman money for OLY[VI`MVVK)[PMOLPZUV[^VYRPUNVY[OLYLPZUVTHUPU[OLOVZL[OL^VTHUULLKZ[VAumlNYLV[OV^[VNL[MVVKMVYOLYMHTPS gtOLU`V[HSRHIV[JHZO`Vtalk about men when you talk about cash crops you talk HIV[JV[[VUZNHYJHULJH[[SL`V[HSRHIV[TLUNevertheless both and women tend to work together in [OLNHYKLUZZVP[ILJVTLZHMHTPSÌZPULZZrdquo

Established in 1999 as an environmental justice NGO Biowatch works with small-holder farmers other CSOs and government to ensure that people have control over their food agricultural processes and resources and other natural resources within a bio-diverse agro ecological and sustainable system Biowatch was funded by FHR in 2013 to conduct training to small-scale farmers community members on permaculture gardening In 2014 FHR further funded Biowatch for additional training to small scale farmers on agro ecology and to also set up a PGS certification system


On project success -One of the major successes of the project was that initially families had established food gardens to provide food for themselves but with the surplus they have now been able to sell and bring income into their OVTLZ[OL`JHUVWLYH[LHZHIZPULZZ4ROHSPWOPexplains that the permaculture training supported by the FHR provided an opportunity to enhance the farmers understanding of agro ecology and allowed them to strategise on advocacy initiatives around agro ecology now they are able to engage government departments to garner support for agro ecology and to negotiate for [OLWYV]PZPVUVMLXPWTLU[[VTHRL[OPZ[`WLVMMHYTPUNWVZZPISL-9HSZVZWWVY[LK)PV^H[JO[V^VYR[V^HYKZa PGS system which is an alternative to an expensive VYNHUPJJLY[PAumlJH[PVUZ`Z[LT[OPZHSSV^ZMHYTLYZ[VJLY[PM`

their own produce making it easier for them to negotiate WYPJLZ^P[OIZPULZZILJHZL[OLJLY[PAumlJH[PVUZOV^Z[OH[[OLPYWYVKJLPZXHSP[`HUKWYLS`VYNHUPJThis project has created jobs for people many of them HYLUVÎZPULZZVÛLYZ[OYVNO[OLJVVWLYH[P]LZThey are now also able to hire people in the community to help them through the farming season or to set W[OLMVVKNHYKLUZOPZPZHUV[OLY^H`VMWSPM[PUNJVTTUP[PLZMYVT[OLWV]LY[`cedil4ROHSPWOPHSZVL_WSHPUZthat there is also need for a multi-sectoral approach NV]LYUTLU[ULLKZ[VJVTLPU0HT^VYYPLKHIV[`V[Othey are not giving us a sense of what they want they ULLK[VILKYHNNLKPUI[^LKVUraquo[^HU[[VKV[OH[OPZWYVQLJ[OHZNYLH[VWWVY[UP[PLZMVY`VUNWLVWSLsup1

OL)SVILYN3VJHS4UPJPWHSP[`PZWHY[VM[OLHWYPJVYU+PZ[YPJ[4UPJPWHSP[`PU3PTWVWVOLmunicipality has a population size of 151 223 and a large percentage of the population is still under `LHYZVMHNLOLULTWSV`TLU[YH[LZ[HUKZH[ HUK[OL`V[OYLWYLZLU[ZXP[LHZIZ[HU[PHSUTILYVM[OLULTWSV`LKHUK[OH[TLHUZH]LYÒPNOKLWLUKLUJ`YH[PV7V]LY[`SL]LSZPU)SVILYNHYL]LYÒPNO0[ZTHPULJVUVTPJZLJ[VYZHYLHNYPJS[YLTPUPUNHUK[VYPZT(SHYNLUTILYVMhouseholds survive on an annual income that is under 90U[OLWHZ[^VTLUOLHKLKHZIZ[HU[PHSUTILYVMOVZLOVSKZHZTLUOHK[VNVHUKTHRLHSP]PUNLSZLÔLYLOL[YLUKUV^HKH`ZPZfor households to be headed by children as women HSZV[LUK[VNVHM[LY[OLPYOZIHUKZOPZOHZOHKHULNH[P]LZVJPHSPTWHJ[VU[OLSP]LZVM[OLJOPSKYLU

7HZZPUNVU[OLPM[paraLPMLY0U[LYUH[PVUHSH[^VYRPU[OL)SVILYN3VJHS4UPJPWHSP[`

Figure 4 Location of Blouberg in the Limpopo Province


Interview with Project VVYKPUH[VY4ILRP5KSV]

Mbeki on project inception-OLWYVQLJ[^HZLZ[HISPZOLKPUMVSSV^PUNHYLXLZ[from 30 members who had initially approached the +LWHY[TLU[VM(NYPJS[YL+V(MVYZWWVY[[VZL[WMVVKNHYKLUZOL+V([OLUYLMLYYLK[OLJVTTUP[`members to Heifer to assist them given the nature of [OLZLY]PJLZLPMLYWYV]PKLKOLmunicipality has a long standing relationship with the DoA so it agreed to help empower the community by training them on ZL[[PUNWWLYTHJS[YLNHYKLUZ

6U[YHPUPUNVɈLYPUNZcedilOLPU[LU[PVU^HZ[VNP]L[OLcommunity skills through training so that they able to approach life in way that allows them to stay HOLHKsup1

On Heiferrsquos ways of working- ldquoLPMLYraquoZHWWYVHJOOHZ[OYLLJH[LNVYPLZVMILULAumlJPHY category A is focused on supporting impoverished MHTPSPLZ[OLZLKVUV[OH]LMVVKNHYKLUZVYSP]LZ[VJRCategory B is focused on families who have something ILP[HMVVKNHYKLUVYZVTLSP]LZ[VJROL[OPYKJH[LNVY`

is of community members who have more goats and chickens these are given seedlings to set up vegetable NHYKLUZLPMLYHWWYVHJOLK[OL-9MVYZWWVY[[V[YHPUthe community on vegetable and animal management which serves as the foundation for setting up food NHYKLUZHUKTHUHNPUNSP]LZ[VJRLPMLYHKKLKHNLUKLYawareness training component to the project in order to encourage the participation of all family members PU[OLWYVQLJ[(ZHYLZS[^LOH]LOHKHUPUJYLHZLin the number of women who have taken part in this

project but it has also allowed the community to fully participate and to work together to increase productivity in MHYTPUNsup1

Passing on the gift is a principle that underpins this project we believe

that in order to help communities out of poverty each member has to give another impoverished family the ZHTLNPM[NP]LUI`LPMLYILJHZLHUPTHSZTS[PWS 4HU`people have begun to realise that you can reap rewards MYVTMHYTPUNpara]LNL[HISLZNHYKLUZHNTLU[[OLMVVKPU[OLOVZLOVSKsup1OLMHJ[[OH[`VUVSVUNLYOH]L[VI`]LNL[HISLZI[NYV^`VYVÛPZHWSZsup1

Heifer International is an international NGO whose focus is on ending hunger and poverty through providing agricultural resources and training The organisation was supported by FHR to conduct three sets of training the first was focused on vegetable management followed animal management and the last on gender awareness Once the members complete the training they are presented with five sets of vegetable seedlings two goats and five chickens Heifer targets vulnerable groups particularly those living with HIV women and youth


H[LNVY`(ILULAumlJPHY`(UKYPLZordmMosisirsquos story (member of the Cooperative)

ldquoI am a professional welder and I run my business MYVTOVTL0SP]L^P[OT`^PMLHUK[OYLLJOPSKYLUHNLKHUK4`^PMLPZULTWSV`LKHUKTÌZPULZZPZlargely dependent on community members sourcing my ZLY]PJLZÔPJOPZUraquo[HZVM[LUHZ0^VSKSPRL0Z[HY[LKmy food garden in 2013 because we had no money but I was struggling to sustain it because I didnrsquot have [OLZRPSSZUVYRUV^SLKNLVUNYV^PUN]LNL[HISLZLPMLYapproached me and a number of community members HUK0YLHSPZLK[OH[[OLZLY]PJLZ[OL`^LYLVќLYPUN^HZL_HJ[S`ÔH[0ULLKLKOL`[YHPULKTLVUOV^[VNYV^vegetables using permaculture methods and I now know ÔPJO]LNL[HISLZHYLZP[HISLMVYÔPJOZLHZVULPMLY[Vme is the Alpha and Omega because before that I used to buy vegetables at Shoprite but now I am able to grow my own vegetables - things are expensive and though I am not making as much money form the vegetable garden at least I am able to buy bread for the children HUKW[MVVKVU[OL[HISLOPZNHYKLUOHZUV[VUS`

helped us but the community too because they come and buy vegetables from us at a very low price and they UVSVUNLYOH]L[V[YH]LSMHY[VNL[]LNL[HISLZ0OH]LUV^PKLU[PAumlLKHWPLJLVMSHUKÔLYL0OVWL[VNYV^TVYLorganic vegetables so that I can see more vegetables in SHYNLYXHU[P[PLZ]LU[OVNO^H[LYPZHIPNJOHSSLUNLin this community we are hopeful that there will be more rain for us to be able to grow the food garden into a IPNNLYIZPULZZsup1

H[LNVY`(ILULAumlJPHY`4HYJZZOHYLZhis story-9HSZV]PZP[LK[OL4HYJZHUKOPZMHTPS ÔVSP]LPU[OLJOVLYSLUNJVTTUP[`^P[O[OLPYLPNO[JOPSKYLUOLMHTPS`PZHILULAumlJPHY`VM[OL[YHPUPUNWYVNYHTTLand walking into their yard we have a view of the high RYHHSHUKHJOPJRLUYUUV[MHYMYVT[OLMHTPSÒVTL4HYJZ^HSRLK^P[OZ[OYVNO[OLPYNHYKLUL_WSHPUPUNthat they grow carrots spinach and beetroot and have YLJLU[S`HKKLKMYP[[YLLZ[V[OLPYNHYKLUL[OLU[HRLZus to the goat kraal which has three female goats and HKVLZ3`PUNUKLYULH[O[OLOPNORYHHSHYL[^VRPKZ4HYJZL_WSHPUZ[OH[OLPZ^HP[PUN[VWHZZVU[OLNPM[HUKHM[LY[OH[WLYOHWZ[OLMHTPS`JHULH[[OLRPKZ[OH[MVSSV On starting this project and its impact on his family he shares the following

ldquoI got to know Heifer through my wife who has been H[[LUKPUN[OLWLYTHJS[YL[YHPUPUNZsup1LL_WSHPUZ[OH[he and his wife started a food garden last year after his ^PMLH[[LUKLK[OL[YHPUPUNcedilgtL^LYLIV[OUV[^VYRPUNZVmy wife encouraged me to work with her in starting the NHYKLUgtLUV^NYV^[OL]LNL[HISLZ[VLH[PU[OLOVZLHUKP[OLSWZZILJHZL^LKVUraquo[NVOUNY`paraÔH[PZunfortunate is that we are not selling yet because there is UV^H[LYZVP[raquoZZ[PSSKPѝJS[MVYZrdquo

H[LNVY`(ILULAumlJPHY 1VOHUUHraquoZ[HRLVUbeing involved in the project- cedil0HTHTHYYPLK^P[OAuml]LJOPSKYLU[^VSP]L^P[OTLHUKTÒZIHUKHUK[OLV[OLY[OYLLSP]LPU1VOHUULZIYNI sit in the executive committee of the FBA farmers


association which is largely responsible for determining the market price of livestock and vegetables grown by TLTILYZOLHZZVJPH[PVUHSZVOLSWZ[OLTLTILYZto access the market by negotiating with commercial I`LYZVUYLHKPS`H]HPSHISLWYVKJL0YLJLP]LKAuml]Lchickens in November 2014 from the Heifer programme the chickens have now multiplied and I have managed to pass on the gift and have also sold three chickens at 9LHJO0UVÔH]LJOPJRLUZSLM[HUKHTSVVRPUN

MVY^HYK[VZLSSPUNTVYL0HSZVYLJLP]LK[^VNVH[ZPUFebruary this year and they are now pregnant so I am just waiting for the goats give birth so that I can pass on [OLNPM[LPMLYOHZYLHSSÒLSWLKTLPU[OLILNPUUPUN0had nothing but now am able to pass the gift to another ULLK`MHTPS`HUK[OH[VUVÛTHRLZTLMLLSNYLH[gtLare also able to eat at home and this project is helping me to buy bricks so that I can have a brick house instead VMJVYYNH[LKPYVUsup1

Women in Agri-processing Empowering rural ^VTLUPU[OLOSHTLSH3VJHS4UPJPWHSP[`Solidaridad Southern Africa

Lwamundo is a small rural village in the neighbouring town of Thohoyandou and is SVJH[LKPU[OLOSHTLSH3VJHS4UPJPWHSP[ 0[PZone of the four local municipalities which make W[OL=OLTIL+PZ[YPJ[4UPJPWHSP[ OSHTLSHhas a population size of 584 568 and the main economic sectors are mining community ZLY]PJLZHUKAumlUHUJL0[OHZHUULTWSV`TLU[rate of 37 and a youth unemployment rate of -LTHSLOLHKLKOVZLOVSKZHYLVULVMthe largest household types making up about VM[OLWVWSH[PVU

ampŝŐƵƌĞϯgtŽĐĂƟŽŶŽĨdŚƵůĂŵĞůĂŝŶƚŚĞgtŝŵƉŽƉŽƉƌŽǀŝŶĐĞ



4[HUKHULVVWLYH[P]L4[HUKHULPZHJVVWLYH[P]L[OH[^HZMVUKLKI`members in Lwamundo a village in the Vhembe District 4UPJPWHSP[`PU3PTWVWV4VZ[WLVWSLILSPL]L[OH[VULneeds extensive monetary resources to start a co-VWLYH[P]LI[[OLTLTILYZVM4[HUKHULOH]LWYV]LU[OPZUV[PVU[VILHMHSSHJ

The co-operative was established with no funding and ILNHUVWLYH[PUNV[VMVULVMP[ZTLTILYZraquoOVTLEventually the members decided to move the co-operative to a neutral location so that everyone could ZOHYLPUP[ZVÛLYZOPWLXHSS `S]PHHTLTILYVM[OLco-operative explains why they moved the co-operative to a nearby cregraveche where a monthly rental of R50 and ^HZJOHYNLKcedilOLYLHZVUMVYTV]PUN[V[OLJYuJOL^HZso that all the members needed to feel like they owned the business hence locating it in one personrsquos house ^VSKUV[^VYROLPUP[PHSPU[LU[PVU^HZ[VJYLH[LHbusiness that was going to generate income for the 15 TLTILYZLZWLJPHSS`ZPUJLUVULVMZOHKLTWSV`TLU[sup1

Years later the members of the co-operative decided that they wanted to expand their business ventures and VWWVY[UP[ VHJOPL]L[OPZ[OLÙLLKLK[VPUJYLHZL[OLPYcapacity and so they decided that it would be best to set up a manufacturing plant where they could process THUNV([JOHHYOL`[OLUHWWYVHJOLK[OL=OLTIL3VJHS4UPJPWHSP[`MVYMUKPUNÔPJO^HZHWWYV]LKOLmanufacturing plant was then established in 2014 and LXPWTLU[^HZHSZVWYV]PKLKI`[OLTUPJPWHSP[ OLcooperative then approached FHR to provide funding support for the ingredients to produce the Atchaar this included spices oil and the drums to store the WYVJLZZLKWYVKJ[0UHKKP[PVU[V[OPZ[OLJVVWLYH[P]LULLKLK[VILLXPWWLKVUOV^[VZLSS[OLPYWYVKJ[PUJSKPUNHJJLZZPUNTHYRL[Z-9[OLUWYV]PKLKMUKPUNfor a training workshop on marketing and accessing markets under the socio-economic rightsjob creation YLZS[HYLH(ZHYLZS[[OLJVVWLYH[P]LPZUV^HISL[VULNV[PH[L^P[OIZPULZZMVY[OLZHSLVM[OLPYWYVKJL


(ZVULVM[OLTLTILYZW[P[cedil^LUV^ZWWS`HULHYI`ZOVWVY([JOHHY^LHYLUV^HISL[VULNV[PH[LWYPJLZsup1

The co-operative had the ambition and the drive to WYVKJLOPNOXHSP[`([JOHHYHWVWSHYV[O(MYPJHUcondiment and relish however they did not have the skills or knowledge on how to process mangoes into

([JOHHYV[OL`TL[^P[OVSPKHYPKHKÔV^VYRLK^P[O[OLTUPJPWHSP[`VUHUTILYVMKL]LSVWTLU[WYVQLJ[ZSylvia says the following about the co-operativersquos relationship with Solidarid ldquoSolidaridad provided the JVVWLYH[P]L^P[O[YHPUPUNVUWYVJLZZPUNVM4HUNVLZPU[V([JOHHYOL`PUZ[YJ[LKZVUÔPJOZWPJLZ^VSKbe needed and the drums we needed to store it in for WYVJLZZPUNsup1 A business needs time to grow and revenue in particular THÌLHIZLU[PMUV[TPUPTHSH[AumlYZ[OPZYLXPYLZtenacity and patience and a willingness to weather the Z[VYTÔPSLPUJVTLOHZZ[HSSLK3PRLHU`V[OLYIZPULZZ[OLJVVWLYH[P]LLUJVU[LYLKJOHSSLUNLZVTLmembers of the co-operative grew tired of the project HUKSLM[SHK`ZHUV[OLYTLTILYVM[OLJVVWLYH[P]L

L_WSHPUZ[OH[cedil)`[OL[PTL[OH[[OLTHUMHJ[YPUNWSHU[Z[HY[LKVWLYH[PUN^L^LYLKVÛ[VUPULTLTILYZgtLlost some of our members along the way because we ^LYLUV[THRPUNWYVAuml[HZL_WLJ[LKZVWLVWSL^LU[[VSVVRMVYTVYLZLJYLLTWSV`TLU[sup1

For those that opted to stick it out to the end despite the many obstacles and rigour of hard work they are able to reap the rewards today In the past year the cooperative was able to produce half-processed mango Atchaar which they sold to the company that provided training for them and that was the beginning of the cooperative accessing THYRL[Z It has since expanded its reach and is UV^ZWWS`PUNP[ZOHSMWYVJLZZLK4HUNV[VHSVJHSMVVKZ[VYLHUK[OLJVTTUP[`H[SHYNLOLmembers attribute their success to the training WYV]PKLKI`VSPKHYPKHK We only managed to do all of this because of the training that Solidaridad provided usrdquo[OLYLHZYLYZOHYLZ

V^L]LY[YLZJJLZZVM4[HUKHULJVVWLYH[P]Llies in the membersrsquo tenacity and patience as well as their willingness to learn and apply new [LJOUPXLZMVYPTWYV]LKYLZS[ZVKH [OLàre savvy independent entrepreneurs who are

reaping the reward VM[OLPYSHIVYToday Sylvia can boast about the co-operative she is part of ldquoWe currently have over 20 drums full of processed Atchaar and the one advantage of having the drums is that we can store the Atchaar for up [VAuml]L`LHYZOPZmeans we have

Solidaridad is a Trust and is part of the Global Solidaridad Network It was supported by the FHR under the theme of job creation The objective of this project was to assist the woman farmer groups to be able to set up a mango Atchaar business to be able to access the supply value chain In 2014 with funding received from FHR Solidaridad contracted service to train the women on how to use the equipment secured to be able to process Mango Atchaar that they could sell to the market In addition to this Solidaridad provided equipment such as spices (for flavour) and drums to store the final product

ldquoWe currently have over 20th drums full of processed Atchaar and the one advantage of having the drums is that we can store the Atchaar for up to five years This means we have a product that we can sell throughout the year despite mango being a seasonal fruit which means our business will run for the next five yearsrdquo member of Mutandane Co-operative


a product that we can sell throughout the year despite mango being a seasonal fruit which means we are in IZPULZZMVY[OLUL_[Auml]L`LHYZsup1

Beyond the impact felt by the co-operative as a collective the greatest impact has been felt by the individuals and their families an impact with individual ILULAumlJPHYPLZHZ`S]PHMY[OLYLSHIVYH[LZcedil)LMVYL[OPZ0was an ordinary woman staying at home doing nothing QZ[^HP[PUNMVYTÒZIHUK[VJVTLOVTL0HSZVOH]LAuml]LJOPSKYLUHUK^P[OTÒZIHUKILPUN[OLVUSÌYLHK^PUULYH[[OL[PTLP[^HZUraquo[LHZ ([SLHZ[UV^^P[O

this business I am able to also contribute to household L_WLUZLZ0UVÎYPUNTVULÒVTLsup1

Gladysrsquo experience like that of Sylvia further LTWOHZPZLZ[OLYLHSPTWHJ[VM[OLJVVWLYH[P]LcedilgtOLUI joined the co-operative in 1998 I wasnrsquot working and although we didnrsquot make much money for long time from the mango Atchaar business I am now able to buy IYPJRZ[VIPSKH[^VILKYVVTLKOVZLOPZTLHUZ0JHUAumlUHSS`TV]LV[VM[OLWSHJL0SP]LPUUV^HYVUKH]LSIPS[MYVTTK(SZV0OH]LMVYJOPSKYLU^P[OT`youngest child still in college I am now able to pay for ZJOVVSMLLZÔPJOJVZ[Z9HTVU[O0[PZ[OYVNO[OPZbusiness that I am able to do all these thingsrdquo

Interview with Senior 7YVNYHTTL4HUHNLYgtPSZVU4UN^HTILSolidaridad

On the projects inception ndashSolidaridad was interested in supporting Lwamundo to ILHISL[VWYVJLZZTHUNV([JOHHYHZYLXLZ[LKHUKHSZVHJJLZZTHYRL[ZgtLLUNHNLK[OLTUPJPWHSP[`MVY

additional funds to secure a business site and also I`LXPWTLU[VTLVM[OLNHWZ^LPKLU[PAumlLK^LYLaround book keeping and the basic production of 4HUNVLZZV^LWYV]PKLK[YHPUPUNPU[OH[YLNHYK

On Project Impact ndash The FHR funds have allowed the women of Lwamondo to be able to produce Atchaar particularly because the inputs such as the drums spices and oil were useful

PULUZYPUN[OH[[OPZWYVJLZZOHWWLUZLTWVYHYPS`[OLproject has created employment for people in the area about 16 people were hired for seasonal employment HUKZRPSSZ[YHUZMLY[VVRWSHJL

On Lessons Learned ndash cedilVSPKHYPKHKSLHYULK[OH[H`LHYPZUV[LUVNO[VPTWSLTLU[HWYVQLJ[WHY[PJSHYSÌLJHZL[OLAumlYZ[ML^TVU[OZHYLZWLU[VUWSHUUPUN6M[LU[PTLZ^LSVVRMVYXPJRYLZS[ZHUK[OH[PZUV[ZZ[HPUHISLZV^LULLK[VPTWSLTLU[WYVQLJ[ZPUHYLHSPZ[PJTHUULYsup1


ampŝŐƵƌĞϳgtŽĐĂƟŽŶŽĨWŚƵŵĞůĞůĂŝŶƚŚĞampƌĞĞ^ƚĂƚĞ

Interview with Izandla Organics Deputy Director Rebecca Sondezi and Project team0aHUKSH6YNHUPJZPZHJVVWLYH[P]LPU[OL4LTLS-YLL[H[LÔPJOYHUHMVVKNHYKLUPUNWYVQLJ[PUEstablished in 2013 the co-operative sought to help their community by setting up food gardens deliberately targeting the poor child-headed households and the LSKLYS OLJVTTUP[ RUVÛHZAHTHUPPZH[VÛZOPWPU[OL4LTLSHYLH^P[OOPNOSL]LSZVMULTWSV`TLU[and HIV in many families the elderly are left to care for the children once the parents have passed as a result VM[OPZWHUKLTPJOPZJVVWLYH[P]LraquoZHWWYVHJOPZ[OH[food gardens will not only help improve nutrition but in a community with high unemployment levels it would OLSWTPUPTPZLMVVKJVZ[ZgtP[O[OLZWWVY[VM[OL-9Izandla was able to establish 54 food gardens for poor families and because of high drought levels in the

community - through this funding - Izandla was able to set up 38 water harvesters in 38 households so that the MHTPSPLZHYLHISL[VOHY]LZ[^H[LY[VPYYPNH[L[OLPYNHYKLUZRebecca shares with us that the following

Rebecca on setting up the project cedilgtL^LU[OVZL[VOVZL[VAumlUKV[[OLZP[H[PVUZV^Lasked them if they have a garden and if not we asked PM[OL`^VSKSV]LVULgtLHSZVHWWYVHJOLKHMVVKgardening scheme called Siceluthando to ask if they needed any help and they would point us to families in need of MVVKsup1OH[is how we selected our ILULAumlJPHYPLZfor this WYVQLJ[sup1

-VVKMVYVYZLS]LZ-VVKMVYVYJVTTUP[`paraworking with community members to set up food gardens - Izandla Organics

0aHUKSH6YNHUPJZPZHUVUWYVAuml[organisation located in small town called 4LTLSPU[OLUVY[OLHZ[LYUYLNPVUVM[OL-YLL[H[L0[ZP[Z^P[OPU[OL7OTLSLSH3VJHSmunicipality which has a population size VMOLTHPULJVUVTPJZLJ[VYZHYLHNYPJS[YLHUK[VYPZTOLWYVQLJ[^HZPTWSLTLU[LKPUAHTHUPHZTHSS[VÛZOPWwith a population of 4 000 which is mostly ^VTLUJOPSKYLUHUKULTWSV`LK`V[OThe unemployment rate is at 50 and many children live either with the elderly as their guardians or are part of child-headed OVZLOVSKZ

Izandla (is an isiZulu word meaning helping hands) Organics is a CBO based in the Memel Free State This organisation was supported by FHR to design and establish 100 permaculture gardens for food security water distribution and water harvesting It was also tasked with creating cost effective greenhouses for winter and building garden fences for the beneficiaries


Shakes from Memel food gardensrsquo take on some challenges faced in the running of the project- cedil0[^HZKPѝJS[MVYZ[VTLHZYL[OLPTWHJ[VMthe project because most of the people in the community depended on the trainers to set up the MVVKNHYKLUZOVNO^LTHUHNLK[VZL[WHhundred food gardens some of the gardens could UV[ILZZ[HPULKILJHZLVMJHWHJP[`JVUZ[YHPU[Zpara[OLUTILYVMILULAumlJPHYPLZ^HZ[VVTJOMVYZHZZJOVUS`NHYKLUZ^LYLLZ[HISPZOLKMVY[OLLSKLYS With the project having come to an end the trainers UVSVUNLYOH]LQVIZZV^LHZ4LTLSOH]LOHK[VZ[LWPU[V[Y`HUKKVZP[L]PZP[ZVU[OLPYILOHSM]LUthough we have closed the organisation the work still continues families are still growing produce in the food gardens and we continue to mentor themrdquo

Rebeccarsquos take on what motivates Izandla-ldquoIt is seeing the response by people who are passionate about gardening they donrsquot rely on other people to provide - that positive attitude gives me hope that we JHULUKWV]LY[`PU[OLJVTTUP[`HUKJYLH[LQVIZ6Ychildren will learn that as parents we try by gardening ^LHYLW[[PUNMVVKVU[OL[HISLpara[OL`^PSSKV[OLZHTLPUZ[LHKVM[OLT^HP[PUNVUV[OLYWLVWSL[VOLSW[OLTrdquo

OLILULAumlJPHYPLZraquoWLYZWLJ[P]LZTPSÈmily - Food Gardenercedil0Z[HY[LKT`NHYKLUPUZV[OPZPZT`MVY[O`LHYNHYKLUPUN0LH[MYVT[OLNHYKLUHUK0HTUV^HISL[VZLSS0^HZ[HNO[I`PUKPMYVT0aHUKSHVYNHUPJZOV^[VNYV^]LNL[HISLZPUHJOLHWLYHUKOLHS[OPLY^H 0OHKHNHYKLUILMVYLHUK0^HZKVPUNP[VUT`VÛPU


(M[LY0aHUKSHJHTLHUKZOV^LKTLUL^[LJOUPXLZP[JVZ[TLSLZZ[VKVNHYKLUPUNOLVUS`[OPUN[OH[0I`PZ[OLZLLKSPUNZMYVT0aHUKSHVYNHUPJZI[UV^MYVT4LTLSILJHZL0aHUKSHUVSVUNLY^VYRZcedil

cedilOLUPJL[OPUNHIV[ILPUNHWHY[VM[OPZWYVNYHTTLis that they also give us water tanks which allow us to collect rain water so that we are able to water our NHYKLUZ0U[OPZHYLH^H[LYPZ]LY`ZJHYJLZV[OPZOLSWZZHSV[I[HSZV[OLWPWL^H[LYPZUV[]LY`NVVK0aHUKSHtaught me how to design a garden in such a way that it allows for sunlightrdquo

Siceluthando Feeding Scheme 4Y4VRVLUHYUZ[OLPJLS[OUKVPUPZPASTLHUZ[YLH[Z^P[OSV]LMLLKPUNZJOLTL[OH[ZWWVY[ZMHTPSPLZPUMLJ[LKHUKHќLJ[LKI`0=(0+

lsquoI started the food garden because I wanted to help the community many people are poor here and some are ZPJR^P[O0=(0+4`JVUJLYU^HZOV^KV[OL`[HRLtreatment without food in their stomachs So I thought a food garden would help people to have vegetables

ÔPJOHYLU[YP[PVUHS0OH]LHS^H`ZSV]LKNHYKLUPUNMYVTa young age I used to help my uncle in the garden so it NYL^VUTLP[PZUV^PUTÌSVVK4ÙJSLHSZV[HNO[TL[OH[0JHUraquo[NL[MVVKMYVT[OLZOVWI[MYVT[OLZVPSBefore I was just gardening not being conscious of the fact that using chemicals may not be good for gardening so when we started talking with Izandla they told me that there are other ways of planting vegetables which HYLOLHS[OPLYZV0^HZPU[LYLZ[LK0[OLUH[[LUKLK[YHPUPUNworkshops where they taught me how to set up an VYNHUPJNHYKLUHUKHSZVVUÔH[[OLILULAuml[ZHYLgtP[Othis food garden I am now able to feed about 36 people 0]PZP[[OLPYOVTLZVU-YPKH`ZHUKNP]L[OLT]LNL[HISLZThe nice thing about vegetable gardening is that it is much cheaper than buying so I am able to grow more ]LNL[HISLZ[OHU0ZLK[VI -YVTT`ZPKL0aHUKSHOHZreally helped me I have a water tank in my home which HSSV^ZTL[VZ[VYLYHPU^H[LY0HTUV^HISL[V^H[LYT`NHYKLUH[OVTL]LUOLYLH[[OLWYVQLJ[ZP[LÔLUthere is no water I am able to take a wheelbarrow put TÌJRL[ZPUHUKJVSSLJ[^H[LYMYVT[OL[HURH[OVTLsup1


For the majority of the last 15 years South Africa has LUQV`LKYLSH[P]LS`Z[YVUNLJVUVTPJNYV^[O+LZWP[L[OPZ[OLLJVUVT`YLTHPUZVULVM[OLTVZ[ULXHSPU[OLworld with approximately 40 of the national income NVPUN[V[OLYPJOLZ[VMOVZLOVSKZ0USLZZthan half of all working age South Africans had income earning employment compared to the international UVYTVM[^V[OPYKZOLZP[H[PVUPZJVTWVUKLKI`the fact that among the employed many are poorly WHPKVYHYLPUPUZLJYLVYKLHKLUKQVIZOLPUMVYTHSZLJ[VYMVYL_HTWSLHNYPJS[YLHUKKVTLZ[PJ^VYRJVU[YPI[LZH[OPYKVMHSSLTWSV`TLU[V^L]LY[^V[OPYKZVM[OL^VYRPUNWLVWSLLHYUUKLY9HTVU[OThere is general consensus that job creation is key in [OLYLHSPZH[PVUVMTHU`V[OLYZVJPVLJVUVTPJYPNO[Z1VIJYLH[PVUOHZHTS[PMHJL[LKJHZJHKPUNLќLJ[VUcommunities impacting positively on the most vulnerable WLVWSL-HYTPUNHUKHNYPJS[YLPUWHY[PJSHYOH]L

WYV]LU[VIL[OLTVZ[JVZ[LќLJ[P]LTLHUZ[VJYLH[Lemployment especially if supported through agricultural support services creation of new markets and local ZOHYPUNVMYLZVYJLZZJOHZHNYPJS[YHSLXPWTLU[(NYPJS[YHSQVIZHSZVOH]LHILULAumlJPHSPTWHJ[VUIV[Owomen empowerment and food security which remain RL`WYPVYP[PLZPUV[O(MYPJHOLHNYPJS[YHSZLJ[VYOHZHSZVILLUPKLU[PAumlLKHZHQVIZKYP]LYMVY[OLTHPUeconomic sector in the food growth path which targets about 300 000 households in agricultural smallholder ZJOLTLZ

The FHR plays an important role in alleviating poverty by supporting initiatives that aimed at creating jobs in turn promoting the realisation of socio-economic rights such as the right to food water and education which are all JVUJLW[HSYPNO[Z

22 Socio-economic Rights and Job Creation


ampŝŐƵƌĞϮgtŽĐĂƟŽŶŽĨƚŚĞŬǁŝŶŝDƵŶŝĐŝƉĂůŝƚǇŝŶ^ŽƵƚŚ

ĨƌŝĐĂ

Yibani Nobuhle (Good Tidings in English) Co-operative

As silver rays peer through clouds that blew in from the Indian Ocean three silhouettes cast their shadows V]LYHAumlLSKPUgtHY[LYSVVH[VÛZOPWPU[OLLOLR^PUP4UPJPWHSP[ 2^HAS5H[HSOL[OYLLAumlNYLZWSVNOPUNthis plantation are part of the Yibani Nobuhle Co-operative a group of 12 members made up of 10 ^VTLUHUK[^VTLU

Gogo Sibisi Deputy Chairperson tells the story of how [OLJVVWLYH[P]L^HZMVYTLKPU PIHUP5VIOSLOHKHWYLJHYPVZILNPUUPUNHZZOLL_WSHPUZcedilgtLPUP[PHSS`Z[HY[LK^VYRPUNPU[OLZLAumlLSKZPUHUKLHJOWLYZVU^HZ^VYRPUNVU[OLPYVÛ0[Z[HY[LKÔLU^LZH^HUopen piece of land which was initially meant for building HZJOVVSÔPJO^HZVÛLKI`[OLTUPJPWHSP[ 3H[LY

Bioregional working in the Waterloo JVTTUP[`SL]LSSPUN[OLWSH`PUNAumlLSKconnecting farmers to markets

)PVYLNPVUHSraquoZVѝJLZHYLPU+YIHULOLR^PUP4UPJPWHSP[ OL4UPJPWHSP[ÒHZHWVWSH[PVUVMapproximately 3 500 000 and its main economic ZLJ[VYZHYLTHUMHJ[YPUNAumlUHUJPHSIZPULZZZLY]PJLZÔVSLZHSLHUKYL[HPS0[OHZHUULTWSV`TLU[YH[LVMHUKH`V[OULTWSV`TLU[YH[LVM 0Uterms of the main household types 72 are formal [YHKP[PVUHSOVZLOVSKZHUKPUMVYTHS0U[OPZHYLHHIV[VM[OLWVWSH[PVUSP]LZPUWV]LY[

Waterloo where the project is implemented is a [VÛZOPW^P[OHWVWSH[PVUVMWLVWSL0[OHZILLUPKLU[PAumlLKHZVULVM[OL^HYKZOH]PUNHOPNOYH[LVMULTWSV`TLU[HUKWV]LY[`


the municipality asked us to move from the land so we Z[VWWLK^VYRPUNVU[OLAumlLSKsup1

The people had been working the land without the permission of the owner and there was no co-ordinated VYNHUPZLKLќVY[HTVUN[OLWLVWSLV^L]LYÔLU[OLmunicipality discovered that the land was unsuitable for the construction of a school they allowed the community to cultivate the land but with a proviso that the members only use the land if they work as a formal grouping and in a more coordinated manner and so the co-operative ^HZMVYTLKLLPUN[OLMYP[ZVM[OLTLTILYZSHIVYcommunity members were drawn to the project including two young men children to the cooperative members YLXLZ[LK[VQVPU[OLNYVW

The group support each other and labour is divided as LXP[HIS`HZWVZZPISLOLJVVWLYH[P]LPZTHKLVMKPќLYLU[WLVWSLHUKP[PZUV[HS^H`ZWVZZPISLMVYL]LY`member of the co-operative to dedicate all their time to the venture as Gogo Sibi explains cedilgtLJVTL[V[OL

AumlLSKL]LY`KH`sometimes not all of us come as you can see today we are ML gtLOH]LZVTLsick people in the co-operative so we try to accommodate [OLT]LU0OH]La problem with my leg so sometimes I donrsquot come but I know that some of my members are in [OLAumlLSKsup1 4VZ[LTLYNPUNsmall-scale farmers are not educated in the most cost

LќLJ[P]LLU]PYVUTLU[HSS`ZHMLHUKZZ[HPUHISLTL[OVKZVMMHYTPUNKJH[PVUPZ[OLYLMVYLLZZLU[PHSMVY[OLLќVY[ZVM[OLZTHSSZJHSLMHYTLYZ[V`PLSKYLZS[ZOLYLHZYLYof the co-operative explains how Bioregional through their training helped educate the members of the co-operative ldquogtL^LYLZPUNMLY[PSPZLYÔLU^LAumlYZ[Z[HY[LKthen we met with Bioregional and they introduced us to WLYTHJS[YLMHYTPUNOL`[HNO[ZÔPJO]LNL[HISLZwere suitable for which seasons and they also advised VUÔH[[VWSHU[ZPUN[OLLXPWTLU[^LOHK-VYexample before we had water we were advised to grow cabbage before winter and we also learned that spinach PZH]LNL[HISL[OH[NYV^Z[OYVNOHSSZLHZVUZsup1 The members were also taught to use organic pesticides a TVYLJVZ[LќLJ[P]L^H`VMNHYKLUPUNcedil0UZ[LHKVMNVPUN[V[OLZOVWZ[VI`para^LW[NHYSPJJHIIHNLSLH]LZHUKother vegetables which we allow to ferment so that the PUZLJ[Z^PSSUV[NL[JSVZL[VVYWYVKJLgtLUV^RUV^that chemicals are not good they are poison to our vegetables so we use compost we also mix sawdust with the soil so that the soil may breathe and so we get NVVKXHSP[`WYVKJLrdquo

Communal ventures like these need to have real impact on peoplersquos lives through giving them the dignity of work enabling them to eat better and have improved living JVUKP[PVUZOPZJVVWLYH[P]LOHZ[YS`JOHUNLK[OLlives of its members and the community as Gogo Sibisi L_WSHPUZcedil]LUÔLU`VKVUraquo[OH]LHU`[OPUNH[OVTLwe agree together as a team to take some vegetables OVTLZV^LKVUraquo[ZSLLW^P[OV[LH[PUNVTL[PTLZ[OLcommunity will come to us and they donrsquot have money but would like some vegetables we give them because ^LKVUraquo[^HU[VYJVTTUP[`[VNVOUNY 0MZVTLVULcomes asking for vegetables and I am the only one in [OLAumlLSK0JHSSZVTLVM[OLJVTTP[[LLTLTILYZHUKHZRthem to give vegetables so the decision is not taken by TLHSVUL


The Treasurer then elaborates cedil)LMVYL^Lstarted the farming some of us were working elsewhere and as the business grew we

Z[VWWLK^VYRPUN4VYLHUKTVYLJVTTUP[`TLTILYZstarted buying from us because we were selling healthy foods even Durban Port buys from us and they have L]LUNP]LUZ^H[LYPYYPNH[PVUZ`Z[LTZgtLOH]LHSZVcreated jobs for the community because we have ZJOHONLAumlLSKUV gtLHYLHISL[VJYLH[LQVIZMVYthe community as cannot do work on our own so we OPYLWLVWSL[VJVTLHUKHZZPZ[Z0[PZHSS[OYVNO[OL)PVYLNPVUHSWYVQLJ[[OH[^LHYLHISL[VKV[OPZcedil

Washoke Co-operative ([[PTLZUPU[LUKLKTPZOHWZSLHK[VZ[LYSPUNYLZS[ZWashoke Co-operative is most certainly the best case in WVPU[cedilgtHZOVRLsup1PZHASL_WYLZZPVUVMKPZILSPLMSP[LYHSS`[YHUZSH[LK[VcedilVKVUraquo[ZHàmpsup1gtHZOVRLPUKLLK[LSSZHUUILSPL]HISL[HSL

It is situated close to Yibane Nobuhle Co-operative PULOLR^PUP4UPJPWHSP[ 4HT)VUNPHTPKNPNNSLZL_JOHUNLZTPZJOPL]VZRUV^PUNNHaLZ^P[O4HTAH[OHZZOL[LSSZ[OLZ[VY`VMOV^[OPZZLYLUKPWP[VZname came to be ldquoOPZUHTL^HZHJJPKLU[HSgtOLUwe went to register the co-operative we gave one of VYTLTILYZHMLÛHTLZ[VILZLKMVYYLNPZ[YH[PVUgtOLUZOLNV[[V[OLYLNPZ[YH[PVUVѝJLZOL^HZ[VSK[OH[HSS[OVZLUHTLZOHKILLUZLKI`V[OLYJVTWHUPLZShe called me to tell me this and I responded with an L_WYLZZPVUVMKPZILSPLMsup1gtHZOVRLsup1V[OLTLTILY[OLUYLNPZ[LYLK[OLJVVWLYH[P]L^P[O[OH[UHTLsup1

ldquoWe were using fertiliser when we first started then we met with Bioregional and they introduced us to permaculture farming They taught us which vegetables were suitable for which seasons and they also advised on what to plant based using the equipm ent we hadrdquo Treasurer Yibani Nobuhle


cedilgtLYLNPZ[LYLK[OLJVVWLYH[P]LPU ^P[O[OLOLSWof Bioregional who also suggested that we motivate to [OLTUPJPWHSP[`[VZL[OLPYSHUKgtLKPK[OH[HUK[OL`JHTLIHJR[VZHUKZHPK`LZOLTUPJPWHSP[`ZL[Hcondition though that we should not use the land to put up a structure so we use it for farming and we store our LXPWTLU[H[HULHYIÒVZLrdquoZOLNVLZVU[VL_WSHPU

Washoke with four women and one male member like the majority of co-operatives is largely made up of ^VTLU(ZLTWV^LYPUNHZP[PZMVY[OLZL^VTLUHUK[OLPYHUK[OLPYMHTPSPLZ[OLXLZ[PVUKVLZHYPZLHZ[VÔ`these co-operatives have such low male participation 4HT)VUNPL_WSHPUZÔ`[OPZPZ[OLJHZLPU[OLgtHZOVRLJVU[L_[cedil0[PZKPѝJS[[VNL[TLU[VQVPUILJHZLP[PZgardening and gardening is viewed as womenrsquos job

I[[OPZVULTHU^L^VYR^P[OSV]LZP[)LJHZLVM[OLdrought some of our members are working because we KVUraquo[OH]LHZTHU`]LNL[HISLV[OLYLHYLUraquo[HS^H`ZWLVWSL^VYRPUNPU[OLAumlLSKsup1

Despite these challenges the group presses on with [OLPYMHYTPUNHJ[P]P[PLZ-VY[OLT[OLYLPZUVHS[LYUH[P]Las they earn an income which feeds their families HUKWH`ZMVY[OLPYJOPSKYLUraquoZLKJH[PVU4HT)VUNPunderstands why this project is still viable despite the KYVNO[cedilOL)PVYLNPVUHS[YHPUPUNUV[VUS`[HNO[Zfarming the organic way but also on how to set up

HUYZLY`HUK[VKL[LYTPULWYPJL5V ÔLU^LZLSSvegetables to the communities we have an idea of OV^TJO[VJOHYNLOLÒH]LHSZVHSPURLKZ[V[OLmarket and they pick up our vegetables for free so we OH]LILULAuml[[LKHSV[MYVT)PVYLNPVUHSgtOH[PZHSZVNVVKabout organic farming as we were taught by Bioregional PZ[OH[P[PZJOLHWLYOL`ZLSSZLLKSPUNZ[VZH[OHSM[OLWYPJL[OH[^L^VSKOH]LWHPKH[[OLZOVWZpara[OPZMVYus is a bargain - so we thank the funders that support )PVYLNPVUHSsup1

The Story of Bekeka Jumba ndash Turkey Cooperative Bekeka Jumbarsquos love for gardening motivated her to join [OLMHYTPUNPUP[PH[P]LZZWWVY[LKI`)PVYLNPVUHSOLPZVULVM[OLAuml]LTLTILYZVMHJVVWLYH[P]LJHSSLKYRL ÔVHYLHSSMSS[PTLLTWSV`LKP]LU[OLIZ`SP]LZVM

these members they are not able to meet HZMYLXLU[S`HZ[OL`^VSKSPRLOV^L]LYwith the advent of technology this group maximises its potential by using WhatsApp to arrange meeting dates including allocating YLZWVUZPIPSP[PLZMVY[OLPYNHYKLU)LRLRHraquoZSV]Lfor gardening she says is what motivates her to do gardening even though she works night ZOPM[Z

cedil0SV]LNHYKLUPUNZVÔLU0OLHYK[OH[)PVYLNPVUHS^HZtraining people to set up gardens I joined with a few VMTÙLPNOIVYZH[[OL[PTL^LKPKUraquo[OH]LHNHYKLUBioregional assisted us to register the co-operative and we named it Turkey Co-operative because that is the UHTLVM[OLZ[YLL[^LSP]LPUsup10UVYNHYKLUPUN^LZLthe methods that Bioregional taught us in training for our MHYTPUNWYVQLJ[V^L]LYVYIPNNLZ[JOHSSLUNLPU[OLcommunity is water we donrsquot access much water this ZPKLZVP[THRLZP[KPѝJS[MVYZ[VWSHU[(ZVYWYVQLJ[is just starting we grow food for our families for now

ldquoThe Bioregional training not only taught us farming the organic way but also on how to set up a nursery and to determine price Now when we sell vegetables to the communities we have an idea of how much to charge They have also linked us to the market and they pick up our vegetables for free so we have benefitted a lot from Bioregional What is also good about organic farming as we were taught by Bioregional is that it is cheaperrdquo Mam Bongi Washoke Co-operative


and have not as yet started selling to the market but OVWLMSS`ÔLU^LAumlUK^H`ZVMNL[[PUN^H[LYVYNHYKLUZOVSKAringVYPZOsup1

0U[LY]PL^^P[OHYHO(SZVU7YVQLJ[Manager at Bioregional

Sarah on the inception of the project-ldquoThis farming project was born out of another project focused on entrepreneurial development in the Waterloo HYLHOLMUKPUNMVY[OLWYVNYHTTLJHTL[VLUKZV^Ldecided to approach FHR for funding support to train MVVKNYV^LYZVUWLYTHJS[YLNHYKLUPUNgtLJYYLU[S`have six co-operatives which we are supporting through

training and the provision of seedlings for the MVVKNYV^LYZHowever we only have four fully functional co-operatives because some lack JVTTP[TLU[Given the number of co-operatives we were supporting we proposed to the food growers that in order to make

work easier for themselves they should set up an association which will have various committees that will help determine the price markets and schedule training KH[LZsup1

On Bioregionalrsquos service to the community ndashldquoWe conducted a number of training workshops geared [V^HYKZOLSWPUN[OLT[VZLWLYTHJS[YL[LJOUPXLZÔPJOHYLRPUKLYVU[OLLU]PYVUTLU[gtLOHKZVTHU`trainings last year that the farmers even said they OHKOHKLUVNOsup1gtL[LHJO[OLMHYTLYZOV^[VZLorganic farming approaches and once the training is JVTWSL[LgtLOLSW[OLMHYTLYZ[VHWWS`[OL[YHPUPUNI`WYV]PKPUN[OLT^P[OZLLKSPUNZH[HJOLHWWYPJLOLprice of a seedling is 50 cents we contribute 25 cents as Bioregional and the farmers pay the other 25 cents

Bioregional is an entrepreneurial NGO which establishes sustainable business and works with partners around the world to demonstrate that a sustainable future can be attractive and affordable FHR supported Bioregional to support local food growers (mainly women) in the Waterloo area north of Durban to establish a Waterloo Agrihub The organisation does this by conducting a number of training workshops on organic and sustainable farming methods using appropriate technologies for agro-ecological development


which basically means the farmers buy the seedlings at JLU[ZLHJOsup1

On accessing markets and cutting out the middle man-ldquoThis project was initially set up to address food security in the home however the farmers had surplus ZV^LLUJVYHNLK[OLT[VZLSS[OLWYVKJLgtLSPURthe farmers to markets so we go and negotiate with commercial buyers on their behalf and every second week vegetables are collected from the four agri-hubs packaged and branded fair food and delivered to the

I`LYZgtLUVÔH]LKLSP]LYPLZPUgtLZ[]PSSLHULHYI`town and the municipalityrsquos economic development HYTOLS[PTH[LHPT^P[OLHJOOIPZMVJZPUNVU[OLZYYVUKPUN[VWYV]PKLMVVKMVY[OLJVTTUP[ sup1

On determining price-ldquoIn determining price the farmers have been in the business for a long time some go to Spar to look H[[OLWYPJPUNOV^L]LYH[[PTLZP[raquoZKPѝJS[[VZLSS[Vsuch suppliers because you can sell beans to them MVY9VUS`[VAumlUK[VTVYYV^[OH[[OL`HYLZLSSPUN[OLT9gtLILSPL]LHSS[OLWYVAuml[ZOVSKNV[V[OLfarmers because they are the ones who put in the hard ^VYRgtL[LSS[OLMHYTLYZ[OH[I`[OLTILPUNHWHY[VMthe farmer scheme we are able to link them to a higher 3P]PUN[HUKHYK4LHZYLTLU[JOHPUÔPJOZH`Z^LSPRLorganic we like the Waterloo farmers and low output ZV^L^VSKSPRL[VWH`HOPNOLYWYPJLOPZWYVNYHTTLJ[ZV[[OLTPKKSLTHULYLPU[OLUVY[OMVYL_HTWSLthere is a casino that has recently been established and [OLYLHYL[OYLLYLZ[HYHU[Z[OLYLgtLOH]LHWWYVHJOLKHUKHZRLK[OLT[VI`MYVTZgtLHYLZ[PSSYLAumlUPUNthe system to make sure that we are able to match the ZWWS`HUKKLTHUKKÙHTPJVM[OLTHYRL[([WYLZLU[we send potential clients a list of what crops are available and those we intend on growing throughout the year and VYWYPJLZOPZNP]LZ[OLTHWPJ[YLVMÔH[[OL`JHUorder and whenldquo

On project successes- ldquoThe funding from FHR has allowed us to leverage our resources we are now able to negotiate with the bigger JVYWVYH[LZPUVYHYLHOYVNOPU[LYMHJPUN^P[O[OLbuyers one company has gone as far as donating water PYYPNH[PVULXPWTLU[[V[OLMHYTLYZrdquo


Bakotudi Co-operativeThe award-winning Bakotudi Co-operative has its project site located in Thabazimbi an iron mining town PU3PTWVWVP[H[LKH[[OLMLL[VM[OLZ[LYILYNP[PZsurrounded by the Witfonteinrand and Boshofberg with [OLTHQLZ[PJ2YHUZILYNPU[OLIHJRNYVUK[OLWLYMLJ[SVJH[PVUMVYMHYTPUNOPZJVVWLYH[P]LPZJVTWYPZLKVMZP_TLTILYZ

The Chairperson Abraham tells of the co-operativersquos inception in 2013 with the assistance of Food and YLLZ(MYPJH)LJHZLMHYTPUNPZHTPK[VSVUN[LYTUKLY[HRPUN^P[OILULAuml[ZVUSÌLPUNYLHSPZLKH[OHY]LZ[some grow impatient as their need is immediate and WYLZZPUN(ZHYLZS[)HRV[KPOHZOHKZVTLVMP[Zmembers leave the co-operative as Abraham explains cedilgtLZ[HY[LK^P[OTLTILYZHUKMLS[[OH[[OLWYVQLJ[was not yielding results as rapidly as they had expected

so they journeyed on but I stayed because I love MHYTPUNsup1 7YVKJ[P]LHUKWYVAuml[HISLMHYTPUNYLXPYLZRUV^SLKNLTo close this knowledge gap to ensure that the co-operativersquos farmers are independent agriculturalists and entrepreneurs FHR provided funding that enabled Food and Trees to take the members through a series of training workshops focused on sustainability approaches [VMHYTPUNldquoThe training introduced us to intercropping ÔPJOTHKLZ[OPURKPќLYLU[S`HIV[[OL]LNL[HISLZ^Lwere growing now we know which vegetables to plant PU]HYPVZZLHZVUZparaPM`VSVVRH[VYNHYKLU^LUV^plant cucumber and various herbs and this expands our marketrdquo L_WSHPUZ(IYHOHT

The next step to a successful small-scale farming venture is linking produce to a sustainable and

Food and Trees in the Thabazimbi 4UPJPWHSP[`para0U[YVKJPUN[OL5L^2PKZVU[OL)SVJR[V4HYRL[Z

Thabazimbi is located in the OHIHaPTIP4UPJPWHSP[`PUthe south-western part of Limpopo Province situated PUgtH[LYILYN+PZ[YPJ[Thabazimbi is known as mountain of iron which is the Setswana name for this peaceful productive town referring to the highly SJYH[P]LPYVUVYLYLLMAumlYZ[KPZJV]LYLKPU 0[OHZan estimated population of 66 883 and the economic drivers are mining agriculture and community ZLY]PJLZ

Figure 5 Location of Thabazimbi in South Africa


WYVAuml[HISLTHYRL[)HRV[KPPZ^LSSVUP[Z^H`HZ[OL`HYLnegotiating supply of their produce with big commercial I`LYZZJOHZWHYV^L]LYU[PSZJO[PTL[OH[

negotiations are concluded with major commercial retail merchants the co-operative already have developed HUPTWYLZZP]LJZ[VTLYIHZLOLJVVWLYH[P]LZLSSZ

produce to community members and also small business owners who ordinarily would travel about for HIV[RT[V[OLULHYLZ[IPN[VÛ[VZ[VJRWYVKJL

OLÒH]L[OLYLMVYLPKLU[PAumlLKHUKVJJWPLKHNHWPU[OLTHYRL[7YPVY[V[OLJVVWLYH[P]LraquoZL_PZ[LUJLdistance and the cost of transporting goods made [OLZWWS`VMMYLZOWYVKJLKPѝJS[OLTLTILYZare also gaining access to the market and they hope that soon they will be supplying to much IPNNLYTHYRL[Z

The skills Abraham attained through agricultural training has turned him into a highly sought after

expert who also gives invaluable insight to commercial MHYTLYZldquoSince I became a member of the co-operative I have been able to share knowledge gained from the

Established in 1990 Food and Trees for Africa is a non- profit organisation whose area of focus is addressing climate change through raising awareness of the importance of moving towards a green and just environment and society It was supported by the FHR under the job creation theme The organisation provides training to community members on organic farming The objective is to equip community members with skills to enable them to set up organic food gardens for food security and to generate an income


[YHPUPUNZ^P[OV[OLYMHYTLYZ0HTUV^LTWSV`LKIà group of farmers in Cullinan as a result of the skills I NHPULK]LUWLVWSL^P[OUP]LYZP[`KLNYLLZJVTL[VTLfor advice on farming and I give them then they go and SVVRH[[OLPYIVVRZ[VAumlUK[OH[0HTYPNO[0KVUraquo[OH]LHdegree but the training here has made me an expert in farmingrdquo OLL_WSHPUZ

Apart from the training and the support the co-operative has received what sets this group apart is the passion

[OLÒH]LMVY[OL^VYR[OL`KVOPZWHZZPVUOHZUV[WHZZLKUUV[PJLKHZ[OL[LHTraquoZLќVY[ZOH]LUV[VUS``PLSKLKAumlUHUJPHSYL^HYKI[HJJVSHKLZVMYLJVNUP[PVUHZ^LSS(IYHOHTWLYZVUPAumlLZ[OLNYVWraquoZWHZZPVUHZhe talks about his love for farming ldquoSome of my peers PU[OLJVTTUP[`ZLK[VJHSSTL4HKHYHVSKTHUbecause they believe that farming is for old people but UV^^LHYL^PUUPUNH^HYKZgtL^VUILZ[WYVKJ[P]Lco-operative provincially and nationally and now people HYLSVVRPUNH[ZKPќLYLU[S sup1

0U[LY]PL^^P[O3H^YLUJL7YVQLJ[VVYKPUH[VYHUK3V]LQV HP[L4HUHNLYat Food and Trees Lawrence explained that Food and Trees started the project in Thabazimbi to address some of the challenges faced by the community such as unemployment and

WV]LY[ÒLVYNHUPZH[PVUKLSPILYH[LS`[HYNL[LK`VUNWLVWSLNP]LU[OLPY]SULYHIPSP[`[VULTWSV`TLU[LUyoung people were selected from the community based VU[OLPYPU[LYLZ[HUKZRPSSZ[OLÒHKPUMHYTPUN

Lawrencersquos take on the inception of the project-cedilgtL[VVR[OLTLTILYZ[OYVNOPU[LUZP]L[YHPUPUNbecause most of them had no knowledge or skill on MHYTPUN(S[OVNO^LSVZ[ZVTLTLTILYZHSVUN[OL^H ^LRLW[NVPUNU[PS^LNV[Z[HќÔV^LYLKLKPJH[LK[V

[OLMHYTOYLL`LHYZSH[LY[OLZL`VUNWLVWSLare able to run the farm with very little assistance from Food and Trees - they are business owners and also employ casual workers on the farm to HZZPZ[[OLT

Lovejoy added that the project has also created opportunities for new business because people in the community they now see opportunity in being vegetable ]LUKVYZILJHZL[OLZVYJLPZYPNO[UL_[[V[OLT

Lovejoyrsquos take on the projectrsquos next steps-ldquoThe journey is not over though we need to conduct more training for the members so that we get PU[LYUH[PVUHSVYNHUPJJLY[PAumlJH[PVU[OPZ^PSSHSSV^Z[Vbe able to expand our market and increase production SL]LSZ9PNO[UV^^LHYLVUS`HISLZLSS[V[OLSVJHScommunity and neighbouring towns but we cannot go SVUNKPZ[HUJLILJHZLVM[OLJVZ[PTWSPJH[PVUZrdquo

Lovejoyrsquos take on accessing markets-cedilOLTLTILYZ[HRLZHTWSLZ[VWVZZPISLI`LYZZJOHZWHYHUK7PJRU7H`PU[OLHYLH([[PTLZ[OL`HYLdoubtful of us because we are new kids on the block

ldquoThe training introduced us to intercropping which made us think differently about the vegetables we were growing now we know which vegetables to plant in various seasons ndash if you look at our garden we now plant cucumber and various herbs and this expands our marketrdquo Abraham Chairperson Bakotudi Cooperative


and ordinarily they would expect to see a white man in shorts selling the produce to big business so we have to ^VYRL_[YHOHYK[VWYV]LVYZLS]LZsup1

Lawrencersquos take on some of the challenges faced ndashcedilgtH[LYPZZJHYJL[OLZLKH`ZHUK^P[OV[HKLXH[L^H[LY^LHYLPU[YVISLHZP[HќLJ[Z[OLWYVKJ[PVUJHWHJP[`VM[OLMHYT]LU[OVNO^L[YPLK[VSVVRH[[OLVW[PVUof getting underground water we found that this place KVLZUV[OH]LLUVNO^H[LYgtLOVWL[OH[[OLYHPU^PSScome soon so that that the members of the co-operative can see their vegetable plants sprout and increase their WYVKJ[P]P[`SL]LSZsup1

Lawrencersquos take on lessons learned - ldquo4HU`WLVWSLKVUraquo[ZLLMHYTPUNHZHIZPULZZLZWLJPHSS``VUNWLVWSLOPZTHRLZP[KPѝJS[[VZZ[HPU[OLproject farming is about getting your hands dirty but it OHZNYLH[YL^HYKZgtOLU^VYRPUN^P[ONYVWZVMWLVWSLthe challenge is getting them to think alikerdquo

Lovejoyrsquos take on lessons learned ndashldquoUnless someone introduces you to farming you can be uninterested personally I grew up with a love for farming HUKILSPL]LK[OH[0JVSKZLT`ZRPSSZMVY[OLILULAuml[VMJVTTUP[PLZOH[OHZILLU[OLJHZL^LULLK[VNL[TVYL`V[O[V[OPURKPќLYLU[S`HIV[MHYTPUNP[THÙV[ILÔP[LJVSSHY^VYRI[P[PZHIZPULZZsup1


Figure 6 Location of Dihlabeng in the Free State Province

Interview with Programmes Director Brian Aldworth and Project Team

ƌŝĂŶƐƚĂŬĞŽŶƚŚĞƉƌŽũĞĐƚŝŶĐĞƉƟŽŶʹ

ldquoThe organisation was set up to address the plight of the poor in the surrounding communities of the Bethlehem

area initially CCS worked with communities to set up food kitchens but with the plight of HIVAIDS in the community we soon realised that people needed more healthy diets so we started working with communities to set up food gardens which would supplement their

dietsrdquo

6U[YHPUPUNVɈLYPUNZldquoAs we started the training programme in the various communities to set up food gardens we realised that more people seemed interested in working as a group so ^LHZZPZ[LK[OLT[VZL[WJVVWLYH[P]LZThe criteria we used is that you must be interested in farming and have a piece of SHUKgtL[YHPU[OLJVTTUP[`TLTILYZ[Vuse organic methods of farming and the

ILULAuml[PZ[OH[[OL`KVUraquo[OH]L[VZWLUKILJHZL[OL`^VSKOH]LOHY]LZ[LKVU[OLPYVÛOLTVKLSZLK

Giving the Bethlehem Community a Sense of Dignity - Catholic Community Services

Catholic Community Services (CCS) was established in 1997 and is based in Bethlehem The organisation works with communities to eradicate poverty and strengthen CBOs by conducting agricultural training activities on food security feeding and care of OVCs They also focus on providing skills transfers to marginalised communities FHR supported CCS to conduct training for 50 community members at various levels the 1st levelrsquos focus is on organic vegetable production 2nd level is agri-planning and the 3rd is on business skills and governance

Bethlehem is a small town in the +POSHILUN3VJHS4UPJPWHSP[ÙKLY[OLOHIV4HM[ZHU`HUL+PZ[YPJ[4UPJPWHSP[ OPZTUPJPWHSP[ÒHZHWVWSH[PVUVMOLTHPUeconomic sectors within the municipality are dominated by farming followed by private business and lastly social ZLY]PJLZHUK[YHKLVMVWLYH[PVUZThe agricultural sector of this region PZL_[YLTLS`WYVTPULU[0[OHZHUULTWSV`TLU[YH[LVMHUKH`V[OULTWSV`TLU[YH[LVM Female headed households make up VM[OLWVWSH[PVU


for this project is a train the trainers model which aims to encourage trained community members to use the knowledge gained from this training to set up gardens so [OL`[VVJHUNL[V[VMWV]LY[ sup1

On lessons learned hellipldquoOne of the key lessons learned is that you have to be JVTTP[[LK[V[OLWYVJLZZPUVYKLY[VZLLILULAuml[PUP[ILJHZLMHYTPUN[HRLZ[PTLVTLWLVWSLSLH]L[OLWYVNYHTTL-VY[OVZLÔVZLL[OLWYVQLJ[[OYVNOit improves their sense of dignity it empowers them to bring extra money home and also to harvest good WYVKJL7ZLSL[ZVLSHIVYH[LZ[OH[cedilZVTLVM[OLcommunity members have no book knowledge they learned what they know from their grandparents and UV^ZOHYL^P[OZ[OLPUKPNLUVZRUV^SLKNL[OLÒH]Lsup1

On the future of the project and its impact - cedilOLSL]LSZVMULTWSV`TLU[HUKWV]LY[`PU[OPZJVTTUP[`HYLOPNO(ZZJO[OLULLKPZNYLH[HUKlooking at the impact that the food gardening project has had on the various communities similar projects need to ILYVSSLKV[PUV[OLYJVTTUP[PLZV^L]LY[OLPYYLHJO^PSSILSPTP[LKPMUVYLZVYJLZHYLZLJYLKL[[PUNWco-operatives is valuable because the members are able

[VZLJYLMUKZMVYT[OLZ[H[LV^L]LY[OLJVTTUP[`members we talked to acknowledge that formalising the groups through setting up co-operatives is a limitation ILJHZL[OLWYVJLZZJHU[HRLV]LYH`LHY[VJVTWSL[LThis means that without multi-year funding it becomes PUJYLHZPUNS`KPѝJS[[VZZ[HPU[OLWYVQLJ[rdquo0U[LYTZVMimpact however the funding from the FHR has allowed us to reach more poor communities train them on

organic vegetable farming and support them to farm in [OPZ^H 0U[YU[OL`JHUMLLK[OLPYMHTPSPLZHUKHSZVILable to make an income for themselves this will improve [OLPYSP]LZsup1

Trusting each other - Tsepanong Co-operative in the Bahlokong Community A group of seven women run the Tsepanong Co-VWLYH[P]LOLJVVWLYH[P]LYUZHMVVKNHYKLUWYVQLJ[in the Bahlokong community one of the surrounding [VÛZOPWZPU)L[OSLOLT

The chairperson of the co-operative shares how the co-operative was formed by a group of unemployed ^VTLUÔVULLKLK[VWYV]PKLMVY[OLPYMHTPSPLZcedilgtOLUwe started the project we were not working so we decided to come together to set up a food garden with [OLOLSWVMgtLZH^HWPLJLVMUZLKSHUKV[ZPKLthe community hall and we approached the municipality [VHZR[VZL[OLZWHJL0[^HZHNVVKSVJH[PVUMVYZbecause the community hall is a gathering place and it

^VSKILLHZ`MVYZ[VZLSS[V[OLJVTTUP[ OLYL^LYLAuml]LVMZÔLU^LZ[HY[LKVULKHÌ was working in the garden and then a woman HWWYVHJOLKTLHUKZHPKcedilP[ZLLTZ[OH[`VHYLworking is there an opportunity for mersquorsquo so I

PU]P[LKOLY[VQVPUHUK[OLTLTILYZOPWNYL sup1

ldquoCCS took us through a number of training sessions ÔPJOOLSWLKZ[V[OPURKPќLYLU[S`HIV[MHYTPUNgtLalso had no idea how to work so they gave us good [YHPUPUNgtP[O[OLRUV^SLKNL^LNHPULKMYVT[OL[YHPUPUNwe were able to plant accordingly to make sure that the

ldquoWith the knowledge gained from the training we were able to plant better to make sure that the vegetables we sell are fresh and of good qualityrdquo member of the Tsepanong Co-operative


]LNL[HISLZ^LZLSSHYLMYLZOHUKVMNVVKXHSP[ sup1The co-operativersquos initial plan to set up their venture near [OLJVTTUP[ÒHSS^HZHZ[YVRLVMNLUPZOLSVJH[PVUfrom where they operate from is easily accessible and the cooperative have a viable market without having to do much marketing and lobbying work cedilgtLKVUraquo[go out to sell people come to us from the community they know about us because we are located in the community hall so when they come to meetings they see Z^VYRPUNHUKI`MYVTZgtLZLSSHSZVZLSS[VZJOVVSZand those who are having funerals come to us for produce because they hear about us from people who come to the community hallrdquo

Since the project was initiated by a group of unemployed women the group now cannot imagine that they once sought employment as the only means of earning an PUJVTLHUKMLLKPUN[OLPYMHTPSPLZ0[PZ[OLPYIZPULZZ[OLfood they put on the table and money they earn is as a YLZS[VM[OLPY^VYR[OLPYSHIVYcedil)LJHZLHSSVMZOHKnot been working when the project started we were UHISL[VW[MVVKVU[OL[HISLMVYVYMHTPSPLZ5V^^Lare able to not only put food on the table but also we OH]LHUPUJVTLOLWYVQLJ[OHZNP]LUZOVWLMVY[OLM[YLpara^LKVUraquo[^HU[[V^VYRMVYHU`VULI[VYZLS]LZUV 0UT`JHZL0HTYLU[PUNI[[OLSHUKSVYKOHZallowed me to grow a food garden in my backyard which helps me to feed my familyrdquo

Working with OVCs Ikemeleng Home-Based Care Ikemeleng is a home based care centre that provides services to 6=Z-VUKLKPUHZHZVWkitchen it serves the community I`WYV]PKPUNJOPSKYLU^P[OMVVKWHJRHNLZ(ZTVYLchildren came to the centre Ikemeleng expanded its

ZLY]PJLZ[VHUHM[LYJHYLJLU[YL[VHZZPZ[^P[OOVTL^VYRUnfortunately funding for the food scheme came to an end CCS then approached the centre and advised them to set a food garden so that they can continue to feed [OLJOPSKYLU

cedilOL[YHPUPUNJHTLH[HUVWWVY[UL[PTLÔLU^LKPKUraquo[know how we were going to continue to provide food MVY[OLMHTPSPLZ[YHPUPUNZVULZ[HISPZOPUNMVVKgardens enabled us to then train parents to set up food NHYKLUZPU[OLPYVÛ`HYKZOLILULAuml[VM[OPZ[YHPUPUNprogramme is that it provides us with seedlings which mean that the families donrsquot have to spend a lot on NHYKLUPUNVMHYHIV[MHTPSPLZOH]LZL[WMVVKgardens the training has also opened opportunities for us we are often invited by schools to train children on NHYKLUPUNsup1L_WSHPUZ[OLWYVQLJ[JVVYKPUH[VY

Sunduza Co-operative The best testimony of what is needed for a co-operative to run successfully comes from the members of the JVVWLYH[P]L[OLTZLS]LZOPZPZTVZ[JLY[HPUS`[OLJHZLwith Sunduza a co-operative of six strong which was YLNPZ[LYLKPUI[Z[HY[LKHTPKZ[NYLH[KPѝJS[PLZ6ULVM[OLTLTILYZVM[OLJVVWLYH[P]LL_WSHPUZcedilassisted us in registering the co-operative and when we started we were located on an open piece of land

not far from where we are UV 7LVWSLstarted stealing from us they ZWLJPAumlJHSS`targeted our

LXPWTLU[gtLOHK[VZ[VW^VYRPUNHUKILJHZL^Ldidnrsquot earn a living we couldnrsquot feed our children and so

ldquoBecause I love farming I love this project the money is in the soil - we canrsquot depend on government to give us jobs We want to be the first women to succeed in farming in our community so no matter how hard it gets we will soldier on until we see our dream come truerdquo member of the Sunduza Co-operative


P[^HZHJOHSSLUNLMVYZgtL[OLUKLJPKLK[VHWWYVHJOthe priest at CSS again and he advised that we speak to [OLTUPJPWHSP[`[VNP]LZHWPLJLVMSHUKÔPJO[OL`KPKOLYLHM[LY^LZ[HY[LK^VYRPUNVU[OLSHUK([[OH[WVPU[^L^LYLZL]LUTLTILYZI[MVYSLM[)LJHZL[OPZplace is big we decided to invite a few more people so ^LHKKLK[^V`V[OTLTILYZ0[^HZHJOHSSLUNL[VNL[TVYL`VUNWLVWSLILJHZL`VUNWLVWSL^HU[XPJRNHPUZZV^L^LYLSJR sup1

The member of the co-operative goes on to explain what came by the grouprsquos way of assistance and how they mobilised to develop the farm into a viable business for the members of the co-operative ldquoCCS helped us [VZL[W[OLJOPJRLUYU[OL`HZZPZ[LKZAumlUHUJPHSS`[VMLUJLVќ[OLMHYTHUK^L^LYLHISL[VLYLJ[HUKPUZ[HSSH[VPSL[gtLHSZVTHUHNLK[VNL[[VVSZMYVTV[OLYMUKLYZ)LJHZL^LOHKH[[LUKLKZraquo[YHPUPUNVUWLYTHJS[YLNHYKLUPUNÔPJO^LKPKMVYVYAumlYZ[NHYKLU^LJHYYPLKVU^P[O[OLTVKLSVU[OLUL^SHUKNow we are able to sell vegetables and chickens to the communityrdquo

The co-operative is run responsibly with the team taking their experience into account and not overextending [OLTZLS]LZ0[PZL_[YLTLS`PTWVY[HU[HZTHU`LTLYNPUNfarmers and businesses promise too much yet deliver [VVSP[[SLOPZSLHKZ[VIZPULZZLZWYV]PKPUNWVVYservice and in turn leads to many emerging farmers and businesses losing credibility with communities and in so KVPUNPYYL]VJHISLKHTHNL[V[OLPYYLW[H[PVUZUKaH

as a co-operative has guarded against it cedilgtLOH]LUV[started selling to businesses yet because they want us to sign a contract for continuous delivery and that is usually a challenge for us because this farm is still young HUK^LOH]LUV[WYVKJLKHSV[(SZV^LKVUraquo[OH]LHSS[OLLXPWTLU[`L[SPRLH[YHJ[VY^LZLHMVYR[VWSVNOOPZ^VSKTHRLP[L]LUTVYLKPѝJS[MVYZ[VTLL[[OLKLTHUKYLXPYLKIÌZPULZZLZsup1

The commitment of the members of the co-operative is UKVI[LKOL`^VYROHYK^P[OH]PZPVUPUTPUKldquoThere is also no free day we come in the morning and leave at WTL]LY`KH L]LUVUUKH`ZgtLHYLOLYLHSS[OL[PTLZV[OPZPZHMSS[PTLQVIMVYZgtL^HU[VYNHYKLU[VNYVÎPNZV[OH[^LILJVTLHJVTWHU (SZVWLVWSLdonrsquot have jobs in this community and we want to create QVIZMVYVYWLVWSLZV^LTZ[^VYROHYK)LJHZL0love farming I love this project the money is in the soil ^LJHUraquo[KLWLUKVUNV]LYUTLU[[VNP]LZQVIZgtL^HU[[VIL[OLAumlYZ[^VTLU[VZJJLLKPUMHYTPUNPUVYcommunity so no matter how hard it gets we will soldier VUU[PS^LZLLVYKYLHTJVTL[YLsup1

As one of the members put it the project is a work in progress gains have been made but the potential for L]LUNYLH[LYVWWVY[UP[`PZJSLHYcedil0OH]LUraquo[ZLLU[OLproject get to a level that I want to see it at but there is a light because now I am able to buy impumpu (maize TLHSOLMHYTPZZ[PSSZTHSSHUK^LOH]LUV[THKLTJOWYVAuml[ZV^LHYLVUS`HISL[VNP]LLHJOV[OLY9HUK[VI`TLH[MVYVYMHTPSPLZsup1


Interview with Mthetho Mkhungo - VVWLYH[P]LZ4HUHNLYPU4HYNH[LKwaZulu-Natal

In project inception - ldquogtL^HU[LK[VOLSW[OLWLVWSLVM4][QPUP[VNL[V[poverty this is a very rural community and our approach as Siyavuna is to help the communities to embark on agriculture which will help them to access the markets HUK[OL`JHUTHRLHUKPUJVTLMVY[OLPYMHTPSPLZgtLfound in this community that there were many elderly people who were farming but they didnrsquot know about the ILULAuml[ZVMVYNHUPJMHYTPUNZVHZP`H]UH^LPU[YVKJLKthem to organic farmingrdquo

On the training- cedilP`H]UHOHZ[OYLLJVTTUP[ÀumlLSK^VYRLYZÔVNVfrom door to door to ask farmers whether they would

be interested in joining the programme We train the

farmers based on a programme which allows them

to graduate to various levels M1 ndash M3 M3 being the

most advanced level this is where we then introduce

the farmers

to the

market The

farmers do

their farming

in their

backyards

at home

then once a

week they

bring their

produce to

a collection

point

Siyavuna Abalimi supported a number of projects in the Ugu Local 4UPJPWHSP[ gtL]PZP[LKVULVM[OLWYVQLJ[ZPU4][ZOPUPÔPJOPZYYHSJVTTUP[ÙKLYTUPJPWHSP[ ltN3VJHS4UPJPWHSP[ÒHZHWVWSH[PVUof 722 484 it lies in the South of Durban surrounded by a coastline of 2T0[ZTHPULJVUVTPJZLJ[VYZHYLmanufacturing services transport and HNYPJS[YL0[OHZVUH]LYHNLof the population as female headed households an unemployment rate of HUKH`V[OULTWSV`TLU[YH[LVM

P`H]UH(IHSPTP+L]LSVWTLU[LU[YLparacedilOLmoney is in the soilrdquo Empowering Rural Farmers on Agri-business

Siyavuna Abalimi Development Centre (Siyavuna) is a not-for-profit organisation registered in 2011 The organisation works in the Ugu District of KwaZulu-Natal Siyavuna works towards empowering rural organic farmers by mentoring and training emerging farmers on food security initiatives and establishing successful Agri- businesses It was supported by FHR to provide training to 300 potential growers at various levels on organic farming provide infrastructural support to farmers and also develop sales outlets for farmers

ampŝŐƵƌĞϴgtŽĐĂƟŽŶŽĨhŐƵgtŽĐĂůDƵŶŝĐŝƉĂůŝƚǇŝŶltǁĂƵůƵͲEĂƚĂů


0U[OL4][PQPUPHYLH[OLJVSSLJ[PVUWVPU[PZH[[OLJOYJOÔLYLP[XHSP[`JOLJRLKHUK^LPNOLKgtL[OLUNP]Lthe farmer the value of their produce based on what the ZJHSL[LSSZZ6UJL[OH[OHZOHWWLULKH]HUZWVUZVYLKI`P`H]UHJVTLZ[VJVSSLJ[[OLWYVKJL4`YVSLHZthe co-operativesrsquo manager is to help the farmers access the markets so I negotiate with potential buyers

On accessing the market - cedilOLULPNOIVYPUN[VÛ[VZPZ4HYNH[L[OLWLVWSLthere are relatively wealthy so we target them as WV[LU[PHSI`LYZVMVYOLHS[O`VYNHUPJWYVKJLgtLalso market our produce using Facebook and we run AringLHTHYRL[ZVUZVTL^LLRLUKZOPZWYVQLJ[OHZhelped create jobs for farmers and people who were just NHYKLUPUNMVYMVVKZLJYP[ 4HU`WLVWSLKPKUV[Z[HY[out even thinking of selling their produce because they KPKUV[RUV^ÔLYL[VZ[HY[5V [OLÒH]LHNHYHU[LL

that their vegetables will be sold-they will not wither in [OLNHYKLUOLJVUKP[PVUPZ[OH[[OL`TZ[NV[OYVNOthe training and graduate at all levels the money from -9JVU[YPI[LZ[V[OPZVWWVY[UP[`sup1

On lessons learned - As Siyavuna we have also learned a lot from the farmers - big time - I am a teacher in the project and the best way to teach is sometimes to listen to them on how ILZ[[VNHYKLUOPZPZUV[UP]LYZP[`PUMVYTH[PVUP[PZindigenous knowledge and can be carried from generation to NLULYH[PVUWe are now even thinking of developing a publication documenting

ldquoAlso the good thing about this training is it taught me that organic farming costs far less than my fertiliser because everything is from the soil I am now an M3 farmer which means I am now one of those farmers that can send my produce to the marketrdquo Maria Ugu Farm produce


ZVTLVM[OPZPUMVYTH[PVU-9MUKPUNOHZUV^JVTLto an end and we need to keep pushing we knew the funding will close its doors at some point and now we ULLK[VAumlUKVYVÛPUJVTLZ[YLHTZ0[PZSPRL[OLIPY[Oof a baby at some point they will have to stand on their VÛHUKILPUKLWLUKLU[V^L]LYP[PZKPѝJS[ILJHZLwith one-year funding you are usually at a step where you have started setting up and are dreaming about the project becoming what you want it to be but you are not HISL[VJHYY`VUldquo

The story of Maria Ngcungama ndash Member of Ugu Community Fresh Produce cedil0^HZAumlYZ[PU[YVKJLK[VP`H]UHÔLUVULVM[OLJVTTUP[ÀumlLSK^VYRLYZJHTL[VTÒVZLHUKHZRLKme if I wanted to join the [YHPUPUNWYVNYHTTL0^HZalready running a garden in my backyard but I was using P[[VMLLKTÀuml]LJOPSKYLU0donrsquot have a husband and 0KPKUraquo[^VYRH[[OH[WVPU[0joined the programme and ^LU[[OYVNO[OL[YHPUPUN

Siyavuna taught me a lot of things that I didnrsquot know I was using fertiliser when I had the money and sometimes I wouldnrsquot grow anything in the garden when 0KPKUraquo[OH]LZLLKSPUNZ0had never even thought that I could sell to people U[PS0TL[P`H]UH(SZVthe good thing about this training is it taught me that organic farming costs far less than my fertiliser because everything is from [OLZVPS0HTUV^HU4farmer which means I am

now one of those farmers that can send my produce [V[OLTHYRL[0NYV^T`]LNL[HISLZRUV^PUN[OH[[OL`TZ[ILLUVNOMVYTL[VZLSS[V[OLTHYRL[]LY`week when my produce is ready I take it to the church where they weigh it and they give me the value of my ]LNL[HISLZHUKHTHISL[VI`V[OLY[OPUNZSPRLIYLHKIt also means that I can pay fees for my children to go [VZJOVVSVTL[PTLZPMP[PZHNVVKTVU[O0JHUTHRLHIV[9MYVTZLSSPUN[OL]LNL[HISLZ0NYV gtOH[0SPRLPZ[OH[0HTUV^HIZPULZZVÛLY)LMVYL[HRPUNWHY[in the project I was not working and now I can do many [OPUNZ(ZHZPUNSLTV[OLYÔVJHUUV^MLLKOLYMHTPS 0have many things to be thankful for through the Siyavuna [YHPUPUNWYVNYHTTLrdquo


2013 marked the centenary of South Africarsquos notorious 5H[P]L3HUK(J[ HMVUKH[PVUHSWPLJLVMSLNPZSH[PVUPU[OLLKPAumlJLVM[OLth century segregation HUKHWHY[OLPK0[ZKL]HZ[H[PUNSLNHJ`VMYLZLY]PUNof the most arable land for white people who make up approximately 9 of the population is still evident in the countryrsquos divided countryside and deeply racialised PULXHSP[PLZ0U[OLTPK Z[OL(MYPJHU5H[PVUHSVUNYLZZ(5NV]LYUTLU[ZL[MVYP[ZLSMH[HYNL[of redistributing 30 of agricultural land into black VÛLYZOPWltUMVY[UH[LS [VKH[LVUS`VM[OLSHUKOHZILLUYLZ[VYLK3HUK9LMVYTJVU[PULZ[VAumlNYLPUUH[PVUHSLJVUVTPJWVSPJPLZZJOHZthe New Growth Path National Development

Plan Vision for 2030 and in political rhetoric across the PKLVSVNPJHSZWLJ[YT

OLLU[LUHY`3HUK(J[ WYLZLU[ZHTHQVYopportunity for researchers in academia civil society and [OLZ[H[L[VYLAringLJ[VU[OLZPNUPAumlJHUJLVMSHUKXLZ[PVUZPUV[O(MYPJHraquoZZVJPL[ 3HUKYLMVYTJHUUV[ILYLKJLKto agricultural policy nor can the social meaning of land ILUKLYZ[VVKPUUHYYV^S`LJVUVTPJ[LYTZOLJVTWSL_intersection of issues shaping relationships to land at

23 Land in South Africa

ldquoAs a result of the event the community now has a better understanding of the historical and economic factors around land - when talking about rights they are now clear about the responsibility that goes with each rightrdquo KRCC Report


the start of the 21st century therefore demand fresh HUHS`ZPZHUKUL^^H`ZVM[OPURPUNOL-9ZWWVY[LKawareness raising and capacity building initiatives focused on promoting dialogue in communities on SHUKYPNO[Z6ULZJOPUP[PH[P]L^HZJVUKJ[LKI`[OL2^HASOYPZ[PHUVUJPSPU[OL4[OVUQHULUP3VJHS4UPJPWHSP[ 2^HAS5H[HS

Commemorating the Land Act - Educating communities on Land Reform In marking 100 years of the Land Act the organisation conducted a capacity building event focused on educating the community on land reform issues in order for them to gain a deeper understanding of the history of land in the country leading to the promulgation of [OL3HUK(J[OPZL]LU[^HZH[[LUKLKI`HKP]LYZLgroup of stakeholders comprising of traditional leaders government representatives civil society organisations JVTTUP[`Z[YJ[YLZHUKJVTTUP[`TLTILYZ

As a part of commemorating the centenary of the Land Act a number of consultation meetings between the black business community and mining sector in the JVTTUP[ OLJVTTUP[ÒHKHOPZ[VY`VMJVUAringPJ[especially on the issue of farmers and farm dwellers ÔPJOOHKWYL]PVZS`YLZS[LKPU[OLSVZZVMSPMLPromoting peaceful communities is important for any KLTVJYHJ ^P[O[OPZPUP[PH[P]L29WYV]PKLKHWSH[MVYTfor these stakeholders to share the share their concerns on land use and ownership which eased tensions IL[^LLU[OLT(ZHYLZS[VM[OPZPUP[PH[P]L29ZOHYLZ[OH[[OL4HROHZHULUPJVTTUP[`PZNYHKHSSÌLJVTPUNHZHMLYHUKWLHJLMSWSHJL[OLWYVVMHZWYVQLJ[Z[Hќmention is that there has not been a single protest in the JVTTUP[`ZPUJL[OLPTWSLTLU[H[PVUVM[OPZPUP[PH[P]L


There is little certainty about household food security status in the country though it is generally accepted that there is a dramatic fall in the experience of hunger ZPUJL+LZWP[L[OPZUKLYU[YP[PVUYLTHPUZHJOHSSLUNL-VVKZLJYP[`PZKLAumlULKcedilÔLUHSSWLVWSLH[HSS[PTLZOH]LHJJLZZ[VZѝJPLU[ZHMLU[YP[PVZMVVK[VTHPU[HPUHOLHS[O`HUKHJ[P]LSPMLsup1

Policies that focus on poverty nodes will not necessarily

reach the larger population of hungry people in TL[YVWVSP[HUHYLHZOPZPZKLZWP[L[OLMHJ[[OH[YYHShouseholds spend more on food but still less than [OLPYYIHUJVU[LYWHY[Z-Y[OLYTVYLHIV[OHSMVMthe people who are often hungry do not receive grants with contextual factors such as gender and HIV impact NYLH[S`VUMVVKZLJYP[ OVNO[OLYLPZHNHWPUknowledge around the precise gendered dimensions of food security which in turn limits our household level

24 Food Security in South Africa ndash Promoting Dialogue on the Right to Food


understanding of gender relations and food security there is general consensus that women play a key role PUHJOPL]PUNMVVKZLJYP[ 0UHJVU[Y`ÔLYLTVYL[OHU51 of the population is women this subject needs to be further explored if the feminisation of poverty is to be HKKYLZZLKP]LU[OLKLW[OVMOVZLOVSKMVVKPUZLJYP[ understanding the systemic nature of the problem needs to prioritised and current initiatives need to be KVJTLU[LKHUKHZZLZZLK

The FHR supported initiatives that promoted the right to MVVK6ULZJOWYVQLJ[^HZPTWSLTLU[LKI`[OL(MYPJHUCentre for Biosafety who conducted a national dialogue VU[OLYPNO[[VMVVKOPZKPHSVNLZVNO[[VLUJVYHNLpublic discussion on the meaning of the right to food its relationship to food sovereignty and to explore ways to incorporate transformation of the food system into this YPNO[

This dialogue was attended by emerging and small scale farmers activist groups along with representatives from NV]LYUTLU[KLWHY[TLU[ZHUKJP]PSZVJPL[`VYNHUPZH[PVUZConversations ranged from highlighting challenges in land reform especially around emerging farmerrsquos access [VJYLKP[^P[OÔPJO[VLXPW[OLTZLS]LZMHJ[VYZSPTP[PUNfood sovereignty in South Africa which include lack of land the importance of building communities to control MVVKWYVKJ[PVU

A take home for the participants was on the need to build a food sovereignty movement in South Africa ÔPJO^PSSZLLR[VHTVUNV[OLYPZZLZPUAringLUJLgovernment to support small-scale farming based on HNYVLJVSVNPJHSMHYTPUNWYPUJPWSLZ0[^HZHNYLLKI`[OLvarious stakeholders that a strategic document would be developed guided by the discussions in the dialogue which could be used a base for working towards a UH[PVUHSHSSPHUJL


South Africarsquos constitution upholds peoplersquos rights to HJSLHUHUKOLHS[O`LU]PYVUTLU[U]PYVUTLU[HSWVSPJ`developed under the Constitution has been given legal LќLJ[I`[OL5H[PVUHSU]PYVUTLU[HS4HUHNLTLU[(J[VM54(OPZSLNPZSH[P]LMYHTL^VYRZLLRZ[Vpromote sustainable development environmental justice HUK[YHUZWHYLUJ`H[KLJPZPVUTHRPUNSL]LSZ

South Africa is also a signatory to the United Nations -YHTL^VYRVU]LU[PVUVUSPTH[LOHUNLlt5-HUK2`V[V7YV[VJVS0U[OLV[O(MYPJHUNV]LYUTLU[published a climate change response Green Paper which reiterates the Copenhagen Accord Pledge to trim down the growth in carbon emissions by 34 in 2020 and MYVTHcedilIZPULZZHZZHSsup1IHZLSPULHUK[VVUS`Z[HY[HJ[HSYLTPZZPVUYLKJ[PVUZPUV[O(MYPJHraquoZemissions intensity makes it the largest carbon emitter in Africa and the 12thSHYNLZ[PU[OL^VYSK6ZOH]LJYP[PJPZLK[OLWSLKNLHZcedilSLZZ[OHUYLXPYLKsup1I`ZJPLUJLNP]LU[OH[P[^HZTHKLJVUKP[PVUHSVUYLJLPW[VMAumlUHUJPHSHUK[LJOUVSVNPJHS[YHUZMLYZ

Parallel with its emissions intensity the production system in South Africa has resulted in the wholesale destruction of environments as well as the PTWV]LYPZOTLU[VMWLVWSLOLLќLJ[PZ[VHTWSPM`climate impacts while undermining the resilience of IV[OWLVWSLHUKLJVZ`Z[LTZ=HYPVZYLWVY[ZZOV^that climate change already has a substantial impact

on the human ability to sustain itself and that the THQVYPTWHJ[ZHYLAumlYZ[MLS[I`WVVYHUKTHYNPUHSPZLKJVTTUP[PLZSPTH[LJOHUNL[OLYLMVYLYLPUMVYJLZPULXHSP[`HUKPUQZ[PJLI`PUJYLHZPUN[OLPU[LUZP[`HUKMYLXLUJ`VMKPZHZ[LYZHUKJVTTUP[`KPZWSHJLTLU[ZIt has also has the potential of worsening existing vulnerabilities adds to pressures on the environment and natural resources on which many South Africans YLS`VUKPYLJ[S VOPNOSPNO[[OLLќLJ[ZVMJSPTH[LJOHUNLFHR supported an organisation in the Northern Cape HU[HT4UPJPWHSP[`[V^VYR^P[OZTHSSZJHSLMHYTLYZin educating them on increasing their resilience to the LќLJ[ZVMJSPTH[LJOHUNL0UKPNV+L]LSVWTLU[OHUNLone of the recipients of the FHR grant conducted a series educational workshops with small-scale farmers [VOPNOSPNO[[OPZPZZLOL`HSZVZLK[OPZHZHUopportunity for these famers to share information on weather patterns observed by farmers and mitigating [OLLќLJ[Z[OYVNOHKHW[PUN]HYPVZZOVY[HUKSVUN[LYTZ[YH[LNPLZTHUH[PUNMVY[OPZKPZJZZPVUZ^HZHparticipatory Climate Change Adaptation Handbook aimed at improving adaptation practices of practitioners HUKZJPLU[PZ[ZÔLULUNHNPUNH[JVTTUP[`SL]LSOLLќLJ[ZVM[OLHJ[P]P[PLZJVUKJ[LKI`[OLVYNHUPZH[PVUKPKUV[VUSÌLULAuml[[OL5VY[OLYUHWL7YV]PUJLVY[OLJVU[YÌ[PU[LYUH[PVUHSS 0UKPNVZOHYLKPUZPNO[Zstemming from the workshops at the UNFCCC COP 20 JVUMLYLUJLPU7LY

26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees

Province Organisation Province

Eastern Cape East Cape Agricultural Research Project Eastern Cape

APUNPZHKJH[PVUHS7YVQLJ[ Eastern Cape

Free State Catholic Community Service Free State

4HUNHUNVJPL[`MVY[OL(NLK Free State

The Shaster Foundation Community Development Free State

Catholic Community Services Free State

Rural Legal Trust Free State

Free State Unemployed Youth Forum Free State

Lima Rural Development Foundation Free State

8OVSHXO^L(K]PJLLU[YL Free State

LR^LSLLU[YLMVYVJPHS9LAringLJ[PVU Free State

Izandla Organics Free State

Gauteng

Co-operative And Policy Alternative Centre Gauteng

African Centre For Biosafety Gauteng

Dahlak Exchange Gauteng

KwaZulu-Natal

Heifer International South Africa 2^HAS5H[HSBiowatch South Africa 2^HAS5H[HS2OSTHUPWWVY[YVW 2^HAS5H[HSIthemba Projects 2^HAS5H[HSBioRegional South Africa 2^HAS5H[HSBiowatch South Africa 2^HAS5H[HS(XHSPTHYZ[ 2^HAS5H[HS2^HAS9LNPVUHSOYPZ[PHUVUJPS 2^HAS5H[HS4PKSHUKZ4LHUKLYKJH[PVU7YVQLJ[ 2^HAS5H[HS(XHSPTHYZ[ 2^HAS5H[HSFaith Development Organisation 2^HAS5H[HSSouth Durban Community Environmental Alliance 2^HAS5H[HSThe Siyazisiza Trust 2^HAS5H[HS


KwaZulu-Natal

The African Conversation Trust 2^HAS5H[HS4WV-VUKH[PVU 2^HAS5H[HSSaveAct Trust 2^HAS5H[HSSeriti Institute 2^HAS5H[HSSiyavuna Abalimi Development Centre 2^HAS5H[HSWomenrsquos Leadership and Training Programme 2^HAS5H[HS

Limpopo

Class Act Educational Services Limpopo

3HUK(JJLZZ4V]LTLU[VMV[O(MYPJH Limpopo

Itireleng Educational Project Limpopo

Akanani Rural Development Association Limpopo

Peace Foundation Trust Limpopo

Humana People to People in South Africa Limpopo

Food And Trees For Africa Limpopo

Nkuzi Development Association Limpopo

Solidaridad Southern Africa Limpopo

4WV-VUKH[PVU Limpopo

Western Cape

Trust for Community Outreach and Education Western Cape

Alternative Information amp Development Centre Western Cape


Indigo Development And Change Western Cape

Southern Cape Land Committee Trust Western Cape

Project 90 by 2030 Western Cape

Schools Environmental Education and Development Western Cape

Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve Western Cape

Natural Justice Western Cape

Endangered Wildlife Trust Western Cape

Centre for Environmental Rights Western Cape

Surplus People Project Western Cape


THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds

CONTACT DETAILSTel +27 11 484 0390

Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights

Facebook wwwfacebookcomFHRights

PHYSICAL ADDRESS6SKYHɈVYK)PSKPUN0ZSLVMVNO[VU)VUKHY`9VHK7HYR[VÛ1VOHUULZIYN

POSTAL ADDRESS7YP]H[L)HN)YHHTMVU[LPU1VOHUULZIYNV[O(MYPJH

_GoBack


Table of Contents

Abbreviations and Glossary of Terms 2

Useful Concepts 3

Message from the Deputy Director ndash Foundation for Human Rights 4

Message from the Government of Flanders 6

Message from the SERSA Programme Manager 7

About the Foundation for the Human Rights 8

Background to the SERSA programme 9

Work of the Foundation for Human Rights 10

Small-Scale and Subsistence Farming 10

Socio-economic Rights and Job Creation 27

Land in South Africa 45

Food Security in South Africa ndash promoting dialogue on the Right to food 47

Climate Change 49

List of Grantees 50











EU European Union














USEFUL CONCEPTS










Rights




















Management Unit











































APTLSLVVWLYH[P]L



































































































ĨƌŝĐĂ



















































































dietsrdquo











































the farmers

to the

market The

farmers do

their farming

in their

backyards

at home

then once a

week they

bring their

produce to

a collection

point









































26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack











EU European Union














USEFUL CONCEPTS










Rights




















Management Unit











































APTLSLVVWLYH[P]L



































































































ĨƌŝĐĂ



















































































dietsrdquo











































the farmers

to the

market The

farmers do

their farming

in their

backyards

at home

then once a

week they

bring their

produce to

a collection

point









































26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack









USEFUL CONCEPTS










Rights




















Management Unit











































APTLSLVVWLYH[P]L



































































































ĨƌŝĐĂ



















































































dietsrdquo











































the farmers

to the

market The

farmers do

their farming

in their

backyards

at home

then once a

week they

bring their

produce to

a collection

point









































26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack










Rights




















Management Unit











































APTLSLVVWLYH[P]L



































































































ĨƌŝĐĂ



















































































dietsrdquo











































the farmers

to the

market The

farmers do

their farming

in their

backyards

at home

then once a

week they

bring their

produce to

a collection

point









































26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack



















Management Unit











































APTLSLVVWLYH[P]L



































































































ĨƌŝĐĂ



















































































dietsrdquo











































the farmers

to the

market The

farmers do

their farming

in their

backyards

at home

then once a

week they

bring their

produce to

a collection

point









































26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack










































APTLSLVVWLYH[P]L



































































































ĨƌŝĐĂ



















































































dietsrdquo











































the farmers

to the

market The

farmers do

their farming

in their

backyards

at home

then once a

week they

bring their

produce to

a collection

point









































26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack



































































































ĨƌŝĐĂ



















































































dietsrdquo











































the farmers

to the

market The

farmers do

their farming

in their

backyards

at home

then once a

week they

bring their

produce to

a collection

point









































26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack













































































dietsrdquo











































the farmers

to the

market The

farmers do

their farming

in their

backyards

at home

then once a

week they

bring their

produce to

a collection

point









































26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack






































the farmers

to the

market The

farmers do

their farming

in their

backyards

at home

then once a

week they

bring their

produce to

a collection

point









































26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack





































26 Climate Change


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack


27 List of Grantees














Gauteng




KwaZulu-Natal



KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack


KwaZulu-Natal


Limpopo











Western Cape














THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack


THE SERS

A PR

OG

RAM

ME

REPO

RT

Gro

win

g O

ur F

ood

ndash Su

stai

ning

Our

Fut

ure

Sha

ring

Stor

ies f

rom

the

Fiel

ds


Fax +27 86 614 9533

Email infofhrorgza

Website wwwfhrorgza

Twitter FHRRights




_GoBack