Hollywood foundation celebrate success in agricultural training

The Hollywood Foundation, in partnership with the Dolphin Coast Equestrian Club (DCEC), proudly announced the successful completion of the first stage of its extensive agricultural training programme, the Mpumalanga Growth Project.

A special handover ceremony was held at the chambers of the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM) on Monday June 3 to honour 26 individuals from underprivileged communities who have successfully completed their training in grain production.

This milestone event marked a significant step towards empowering local communities with essential agricultural skills.

Thanks to this initiative funded by the Hollywood Foundation, which resulted in a contribution of R488 000, the graduates can now apply their skills to modern agricultural practices, contribute to the local economy and help strengthen food security.

The training programme is a three-phase project that aims to provide skills, resources and crop production to the community of Boomplaats just outside Mashishing.

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Mpho Dintwa, the Hollywood Foundation’s corporate social investment (CSI) manager, said: “The Mpumalanga Growth Project is the first agricultural project we’re supporting as the foundation’s CSI. This was formed by the need to encourage food security while equipping small scale-farmers with critical skills.

“Part of this project is to have these farmers participate in economic activities that ultimately contribute to job creation and long-term sustainability. It’s exciting to think that through this project, community members who have been upskilled will lead from the front during the second phase of the project.”

He went on to say that the second phase of the project will see the earmarked land being transformed into a crop-farming project that will benefit the community of Dinkwanyane, while creating much-needed jobs.

“One is confident that the structures that have been put in place by the community, such as the Dinkwanyane Farming Forum, will ensure that the objectives of this project are met and the community at large benefits, as intended,” Dintwa concluded.