RICHARDS Bay Minerals’ (RBM) annual farmers day saw about 800 people descend on the company’s base camp site on Thursday.
Visitors enjoyed 22 stalls exhibiting products ranging from baking and bead-making to hydroponic gardening and livestock spraying.
Thrilled with the successful turnout, RBM Communication and Community Relations General Manager Fundi Dlamini said this event is one of the main attractions on the company’s corporate calendar.
‘Farmers day is one of our flagship events and touches the lives of so many people, both young and old,’ said Dlamini.
‘It is always rewarding to see families and communities gathering in one place – learning, sharing and growing together.
‘This year we are also pleased with the number of women who have come to the fore to learn skills beyond just baking and bead-making.
‘We are thankful to our partners and the uThungulu Municipality who support this initiative.’
Mfana Mthethwa, a Grade 6 pupil from Nhlabane Primary School, was excited to be part of this event and talked animatedly with his friends about how they will grow to be farmers one day.
During a demonstration by the team from Agri Solutions, Mfana could not believe how ‘easy peasy’ it is to use the machine that makes ploughing and furrowing a simple process.
‘I see how people grow vegetables and one day I want to do the same.
‘We also eat the spinach and the cabbage from our gardens,’ said Mfana.
KwaMbonambi non-profit Amangwe Village also set up a table of freshly picked organic bananas.
Amangwe’s Bongani Mthethwa spoke passionately about how the organic gardens provide nourishment for the children and local community.
Mthethwa said the gardens are often the only form of sustenance for some families.
‘We believe in strengthening communities through compassion, understanding and perseverance so that they may discover their own potential.’
