In a community where unemployment and food insecurity remain significant challenges, Anna Kgaretswe is proving that a small piece of land can become a powerful tool for transformation.
The 53-year-old entrepreneur from Majakaneng in the North West has transformed her yard into a thriving vegetable farm complete with vegetable tunnels, irrigation infrastructure, and a variety of crops, she said in an interview with Vuk’uzenzele. Today, her enterprise not only supports her family but also contributes to feeding members of her community.
Kgaretswe is one of the beneficiaries of the Sibanye-Stillwater Marikana Renewal initiative, implemented by SocioTech and Umsizi. Through the Broad-Based Livelihoods Programme, she received training, resources, and mentorship that helped her turn a small vegetable garden into a sustainable business.
Her journey began in 2017 when representatives from SocioTech visited her home and introduced her to opportunities to expand her food production activities.
That support included seeds, vegetable tunnel materials, and equipment that enabled her to improve both the quality and quantity of her produce.
“Through them, I learnt about developing the soil and growing food God’s way, organically and without chemicals,” said Kgaretswe.
Today, she supplies fresh produce to street vendors and small catering businesses in the area, creating a reliable source of income while providing access to locally grown food.
The success of her enterprise has enabled her to support her family and save money each month, demonstrating how small-scale agriculture can contribute to economic empowerment and household resilience.
Her achievements were recognised when she received a SocioTech award. She used the prize money to expand her operation by constructing a second vegetable tunnel.
But Kgaretswe’s impact extends beyond her own business.
Through the Phinda Phinda project, she has trained 16 community members to establish their own vegetable gardens. Those individuals have gone on to share their knowledge with friends, family members, and neighbours, creating a multiplier effect throughout the community.
“When my business began to grow, people in the community could not believe it and started asking me how I do it,” she explained.
“I told them to come to school because Sibanye is here for all of us. We must help each other to put food on the table.”
By sharing her skills and encouraging others to become food producers, Kgaretswe is helping build a culture of self-reliance and community support.
Her story demonstrates how access to training, mentorship, and basic resources can empower individuals to create sustainable livelihoods while addressing broader community challenges such as food insecurity and unemployment.
As more households learn to grow their own food and generate income from agriculture, the benefits extend far beyond individual families. They contribute to stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.
Description:
What started as a small vegetable patch has grown into a thriving food security enterprise that is helping feed families, create income, and transfer valuable agricultural skills within the Majakaneng community.
Editor’s Note:
This story highlights how community-based food production can improve household livelihoods, strengthen food security, and empower local residents through skills development. It demonstrates the ripple effect that can occur when one individual is equipped with the knowledge and resources to create sustainable change.
