Doornkop aspiring farmer wishes to eradicate youth unemployment

Olga Motshweni (25) of Doornkop in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, aspires to introduce the youth to agriculture as a way of reducing unemployment.
Motshweni is the chairperson of this municipality’s youth in agriculture and rural development. The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (Dardlea) aided her much in pursing farming as a business.

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Motshweni started with a backyard garden when she was young, selling her local produce to make ends meet until she was approached by the department and supported.
In 2019, Dardlea approached Motshweni and enrolled her at the Marapyane Agricultural College, where she acquired important farming skills. In 2020 she obtained her diploma in farming and animal production.
After completing her diploma, Motshweni attended more seminars hosted by the Dardlea in order to gain more knowledge. In November 2021 she went into crop farming and planted dry beans for a period of six months, resulting in her yielding three tons of beans now in June.

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According to her she wants the youth to focus more on agriculture because it has more opportunities, “The youth must renounce the mindset that farming is for the elderly. Farming is profitable, and it creates more jobs. It doesn’t require many resources, merely arable land and a willingness to work hard when planting.”
She said that she wishes to employ more people.
“I want to start farming on a larger scale so that more youth can be employed. I want them to understand that farming is a career that will last a lifetime, unlike other jobs where they may be laid off. The country’s president also owns farms and makes a living off them, what prevents the youth from deriving inspiration from him,” said Motshweni.

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Dardlea said, “Olga Motshweni is her own boss. The Doornkop-based aspiring farmer started with vegetable production in 2019. She has also ventured into growing dry beans she received from the department and now celebrates her first harvest with a market already secured. Motshweni’s dry beans yielded roughly three tons on a 1ha plot where she employs three locals to help her cultivate and harvest.”
She said she wants to make enough money so she can venture into her first love, which is animal farming.