Following the success of the small-scale farmer’s skills training programme in the Eastern Cape last year, Boxer is ‘bringing it home’ with the launch of the second edition of the programme, this time in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Partnering with the W&RSETA, Golden Ratio College and uMlalazi Municipality, Boxer’s Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability team have set out to train 200 farmers from Eshowe, Gingindlovu, eMtubatuba and Empangeni. “The overall purpose of the training is to get these incredible farmers equipped with the tools and knowledge to have access to market in a sustainable way. The farmers will go through three months of intense courses, and will be taught a number of crucial subjects including how to run a small business, merchandising, stock replenishment, cash controls, and more, eventually culminating in a graduation that will empower them to grow their businesses and sell their much needed produce to supermarkets,” said Boxer Group Executive for Stakeholder Engagement and Sustainability, Ntombi Dludla.

The induction and programme launch began in July in Eshowe at the uMlalazi Municipality where 114 eager farmers were welcomed to the programme by the Deputy Mayor of uMlalazi Councillor MM Ngema, Senior Manager for Planning and Housing Sbusiso Mngoma, W&RSETA Project Specialist Philani Zondo, Golden Ratio College Managing Director Declan Lawson and Boxer Group Executive Ntombi Dludla. Within a week, the induction roadshow had concluded, and all 200 farmer students had been inducted and enrolled in the programme. Of the 200 enrolled farmers enrolled, 146 are female, and 101 fall within the youth age group. In addition to being sponsored for the programme, all farmers will also receive a monthly stipend from Boxer while studying.

Image 1: At the official launch of the Small-scale Farmers training programme in Eshowe are (from left) Golden Ratio College Managing Director Declan Lawson, Boxer CSR Manager Busile Makhanya, Boxer Group Executive Ntombi Dludla, Deputy Mayor of uMlalazi Councillor MM Ngema, Senior Manager for Planning and Housing Sbusiso Mngoma and W&RSETA Project Specialist Philani Zondo.