Limpopo - The Mahonisi villagers in Malamulela pride themselves with one of the fastest growing poultry projects funded by the National Development Agency (NDA). The free-range eggs they produce are supplied to Pick n Pay, Friendly Supermarket, Kismat and other supermarkets in and around Thulamela District Municipality.
A few years back, the Cooperative's members were sitting wondering if they will ever get employment as most of them had teaching diplomas. They took an opportunity offered by the Department of Economic Development in the province to form a Cooperative and start a poultry farm.
The members have not looked back since. They started small with only one hook and 116 chicken layers bought with their personal contributions. The NDA joined on the band wagon in 2010 to fulfil its primary mandate to contribute towards poverty eradication, by granting R1,768,384.51 to the Cooperative. The grant is meant for expanding the current structure and increase the number of chickens to ensure the Cooperative's sustainability. They also bought vital equipment like a 10-ton delivery truck, office equipment, built an office and ablution block.
"Business has been booming lately as we have a business agreement with major supermarkets from as far as Thohoyandou. "All the supermarkets in and around Malamulela orders from us. Every week, Pick n Pay orders 300 boxes of 5 000 eggs and Friendly Supermarket orders 80 boxes of 5 000 eggs", said the General Manager of the Project, Mr Joseph Khosa."
He also went on to say, "none of this was going to be possible without the NDA funding." It was clear that the project was battling with finances and the day- to- day running of the business before the funding, which is why other members left the Cooperative as they felt that they were wasting time.
Mr Aaron Makwela, Pick n Pay Store Manager said, "It is our policy to promote black economic empowerment in the areas we operate in. We are grateful and lucky that the first time we gave the Sasekisani people a chance they never disappointed us. Their service excellence is the one that makes us go back over and over again and I have no doubt in my mind that their business is going in one direction, which is up"! His statement was supported by Ms Maud Mkhwanazi from Friendly supermarket in Giyani.
"One of the reasons the NDA gives grants is to ensure that the projects funded become sustainable and grow to being the noticeable businesses as Sasekisani has done. This is evident by the confidence shown by theOld Mutual Masisizane Fund when they granted a loan of R 1,765 935 to the cooperative, which was used to erect a chicken house for 12 000 chicks and to purchase 12 000 point of lay hens" said Prof Zach Chuenyane NDA Provincial Manager.
The nine member cooperative is doing so well that they have now answered government's call of job creation by employing 13 permanent staff to assist with the day- to-day running of the business.
The success of this cooperative is not just commitment; they have technical skills which were coupled with intensive training on how to run their business. Most importantly their goals are clearly defined to all the members of the cooperative.
Contact details:
Makgodu Tsehloane (National Development Agency)
Tel: 011 018 5538
E-mail: MakgoduT@nda.org.za
Source: National Development Agency
