Early rains give roadside farmers a head start
A fair share of rain has blessed the soil and the ploughing season has officially started.
The much needed rain has made it possible for men and women to start ploughing in the fields along the roadside to provide food for their families and communities.
Herald spoke to a few grannies who were busy at the fields just outside Tzaneen to try to get a feel on what their day entails and what the recent rain means to them.
Koko Modjadji Sebobetsa (80) from Motupa in Bolobedu said she has been providing food for her family for years and even joked that she even got grey hair as proof.
“Our families depend on us to provide food, it is poverty that has driven us into the fields. We thank God for the heavy pours, the soil is fertile and ready,” she said.
She sells some of her peanuts to neighbouring schools in her village. Those in the fields are a true definition that a man who does not work will not eat.
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The grannies said they farm peanuts, hugo beans and maize which they take to maize grinding depots to make mielie meal for their families.
“Unemployment is very high in our villages, our children struggle to get employment and when they do it’s just a few month’s contract, so it is important for us to make food that will last us for months,” said one granny.
When Herald visited the fields it was an exciting sight to witness as it was not only old women and men but also young men helping out.
Magrath Moshabela (64) and Sarah Mashatule (64) from Marirone and Motupa villages respectively said they travel by bakkies every morning.
“It is because of unemployment that we have to come here, if we don’t do it our children won’t eat. We plough for free here and do not pay anyone so there is nothing stopping us from providing for our families,” they said.
