Local crocodile farmer on the map
Mookgophong’s farmer William Molekoa has treaded where angels dare — so to speak — by becoming Limpopo’s first black crocodile farmer and arguably one of the few nationwide.
Mookgophong’s farmer William Molekoa has treaded where angels dare — so to speak — by becoming Limpopo’s first black crocodile farmer and arguably one of the few nationwide.
The Department of Trade and Industry’s (the DTI) Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP) funded Molekoa (66) as part of the broader programme to transform the sector.
An investment of R1,8-million was pumped into the project.
Departmental spokesperson, Sidwell Medupe, said Molekoa is the only black crocodile farmer in Limpopo.
He said Molekoa and the crocodiles basking lazily in the winter sun in the background (see photo), bear testimony to the significantly-positive steps that the DTI has taken to change the face
of the lucrative crocodile sector in South Africa.
“The fact that crocodile skins and meat from a black-owned enterprise located in an obscure Haakdoring Farm in Limpopo are exported to China, Japan and Italy, is by no means a small
accomplishment,” Medupi said.
Molekoa feels indebted to the DTI and the famous Limpopo crocodile farmer Albert Pretorius, who mentored him and gave him an opportunity to learn the ways of crocodile farming.
“I also owe my allegiance to numerous neighbouring white farmers, who did not only support my application to practice crocodile farming, but also contributed their labour, expertise and material when we built the crocodile dams,” he said.
Molekoa fell in love with crocodiles after visiting his friend, Pretorius at his Bela-Bela farm.
His passion drove him to resign from his job as an interpreter at the CCMA in Polokwane, and volunteered to clean up crocodile dams at Pretorius’ farm for six months.
“I sacrificed my job of many years with the intention to acquire as much information and knowledge as possible about crocodile farming. The experience and skills I accumulated proved extremely valuable when I started my own crocodile farm in 2013. Perseverance and patience are the two most important qualities required in this business,” he explained.
— The BEAT
