Limpopo crocodile farmer eager to change the face of aquaculture
Local businessman William Molekoa is reportedly eager to change the face of crocodile farming after receiving funding to the tune of R1,8 million from the Department of Trade and Industry’s aquaculture development and enhancement programme for his Mookgophong-based enterprise. Information made available to Polokwane Observer highlighted that Molekoa is arguably the only black crocodile farmer …
Local businessman William Molekoa is reportedly eager to change the face of crocodile farming after receiving funding to the tune of R1,8 million from the Department of Trade and Industry’s aquaculture development and enhancement programme for his Mookgophong-based enterprise.
Information made available to Polokwane Observer highlighted that Molekoa is arguably the only black crocodile farmer in Limpopo and indisputably one of few in the country. It was learnt that Molekoa fell in love with crocodiles after visiting his friend Albert Pretorius at his Bela Bela farm. Love grew into a strong passion that resulted in him resigning from his job at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration in Polokwane where he had been an interpreter. He then volunteered his services to clean crocodile dams at Pretorius’ farm for six months, it was reported.
He is optimistic that he will achieve his ambitions with the support of Government as the expansion of his business will help create employment for the youth in particular. Currently, his production cycle begins with purchasing eggs from other commercial farmers and using their hatcheries before taking the young ones to hot rooms. When they turn a year old he takes them to the dams where he feeds and tenders for them until they are slaughtered to export their meat and skins to China, Japan and Italy.
Molekoa, in a statement issued by the department was quoted to have said: “I am indebted to the department and the famous Limpopo crocodile farmer Pretorius, who mentored me and gave me an opportunity to learn the intricacies 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. With that kind of selflessness and positive attitude of other farmers and assistance from Government, economic transformation in white-dominated industries such as aquaculture will be a success.”
Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
