Some official in the Eastern Cape named Nonceba Kontsiwe just dropped farming gear and sewing equipment on cooperatives around Matatiele to get people making more food and clothes. The handout covered two mini tractors, 30 industrial sewing machines, a pottery wheel, and some slab roller thing for youth groups and women trying to run small businesses in the area.
The agriculture department threw down about 198,000 rand for those hand-held tractors, which are basically cheap alternatives to full-size farm equipment that emerging farmers can actually afford. One young farmer with four hectares said he was hyped because he used to dig everything with hand tools, and the new machine will let him plant way more vegetables for local stores.
They also spent over 500,000 rand on the clothing manufacturing stuff for 16 enterprises across Alfred Nzo District. One woman running a garment business said she was struggling to keep up with orders, but the new machines will let her hire help and crank out better quality products.
The agriculture department threw down about 198,000 rand for those hand-held tractors, which are basically cheap alternatives to full-size farm equipment that emerging farmers can actually afford. One young farmer with four hectares said he was hyped because he used to dig everything with hand tools, and the new machine will let him plant way more vegetables for local stores.
They also spent over 500,000 rand on the clothing manufacturing stuff for 16 enterprises across Alfred Nzo District. One woman running a garment business said she was struggling to keep up with orders, but the new machines will let her hire help and crank out better quality products.
