Pensioner urges youth to love agriculture
The 89-year-old mostly plants sweet potatoes, mielies, onions, mumbles, and brinjal, and he has trees of oranges.
Age is just a number for 89-year-old Mandlenkosi Wilson Mpisi who wakes at 6am daily to work on his garden.
Originally from Gcilima but now living in Ghost Town in Harding, Mpisi said his passion for ploughing started when he was still living under Ray Nkonyeni Municipality.
He explained that he owned a big garden where he used to plough with his late wife Thandiwe Mpisi.
Mpisi said he mostly plants sweet potatoes, mielies, onions, mumbles, and brinjal, and he has trees of oranges.
“I farm for home consumption. But I also share with my neighbours. I share my oranges with the whole community as my house is along the road,” he said, adding that he plans to continue ploughing as it is something he loves doing after his retirement.
Mpisi said he wants the young generation to fall in love with agriculture as it alleviates poverty.
He said he believes that when you have your garden at home you eat fresh produce.
“You don’t have to buy frozen vegetables or fresh vegetables from the retailers. It also saves money in this economy as prices of food increase every day,” he said.
Meanwhile, his daughter Khanyi Mpisi said her father’s garden work keeps him active as he starts his gardening at 7am daily.
“He removes the weeds if there are any during his planting season. This is what keeps him healthy as it is another opportunity for him to be active at his age,” she said.
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