A joint layer-hen project was launched yesterday (2 September) in Disaneng, the capital of the Batlharo Boo Tokwana Ba Ga Masibi cultural community west of Mahikeng in the North West province. In addition to providing a starter package that includes Boschveld chicks, a chicken coop with accessories, vegetable seeds for a year as well as ten fruit trees, training in poultry farming was provided to community members.
This agricultural development project is being implemented by the Batlharo Boo Tokwana Ba Ga Masibi Traditional Council in partnership with AfriForum through Resilient Regenerative Agricultural Initiative (RRAIN), an agricultural development incubator and joint initiative by AfriForum and Saai. The project is yet another outcome of the mutual recognition and collaboration agreement concluded between AfriForum and the community during 2023.
“This project has the potential to generate sustainable income within our community and also creates the opportunity for community members to acquire knowledge of poultry farming which will be to their benefit in the long run. It is a privilege for us to work with AfriForum on a project that will have a positive impact on our community,” says Kgosi Mogakolodi Masibi, Kgosi of the Batlharo Boo Tokwana Ba Ga Masibi and Chairperson of the Batlharo Boo Tokwana Ba Ga Masibi Traditional Council.
“It is a privilege and a pleasure for AfriForum to collaborate with the Batlharo Boo Tokwana Ba Ga Masibi community on this agricultural development project. It is one small step in the long process of improving the self-sufficiency and prosperity of this community. This project, however humble, serves as another example of the positive impact resulting from the collaboration between different cultural communities. A network of mutually supportive cultural communities, founded on the principles of mutual recognition and respect, is slowly but steadily creating an enabling environment that assists communities to help themselves to thrive,” said Barend Uys, Head of Intercultural relations and cooperation at AfriForum.
“We hope that this project will also inspire other stakeholders from the private and public sectors to become involved in community development initiative such as this one,” closes Kgosi Masibi.
AfriForum and the Batlharo Boo Tokwana Ba Ga Masibi jointly erected Setswana sign boards welcoming community members and travellers to the area of the community in September 2024.
