Project Location

Grootbos Nature Reserve, Gansbaai, South Africa

Project Duration and Start

1 Year, 2010

Project Sponsor

Airtours

Project Description

Gansbaai (in English, "Goose Bay") is a typical rural town in South Africa's Western Cape Province. Located about 170 km southeast of Cape Town and home to 13,000 residents, it is one of larger communities found along the beach. As a result of rapid urban development of the affluent areas of the Western Cape Province, thousands of Xhosa migrant workers poured into the region. Unfortunately, about 50 percent of the residents of Gansbaai are unemployed or are only able to find short-term employment in temporary work, with only very few maintaining a permanent job. The social group most affected is women, who often have little or no training in practical job skills.

The focus of the proposed project "Growing the Future" is to offer eight women the opportunity to undertake practical training in organic agriculture and organic farming methods, gain knowledge of processing and production methods, as well as learn new basic life skills. The training allows the women to secure gainful employment and be able to provide for themselves and their families.

The 12-month training program "Growing the Future" is for the women free of charge and includes training in basic techniques of organic fruit and vegetable growing, organic fertilization and pest control programs, the breeding of free range chickens and harvesting of eggs, beekeeping and the production of jellies and jams. About half of the course content focuses on basic business skills, such as computer skills, bookkeeping and financial and business management.

The training program is accredited by AgriSeta (the national agricultural education body) and upon completing the course the women are awarded the national qualification level 1 in agriculture. The women directly market their products to local tourists and are therefore provided the opportunity to explore the wants and needs of potential buyers and can tailor product production based on demand, thereby utilizing basic business and economic skills.  

Project Goals

• To provide eight women from local disadvantaged communities with training in sustainable farming methods and basic life skills

• To teach women entrepreneurial skills and knowledge about health and nutrition

• To provide information about beekeeping and the production of honey, food and jams as potential sources of income

Project Partners / Project Coordinator

Project Organization: Grootbos Foundation

Project Coordinator: Sean Privett