THE SADC GENDER PROTOCOL SUMMIT 2014 Presenter: DORIS MTHETHWA Theme: Women’s Rights Organisation: Nhlabosini Cooperative 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

Ready for the Market

50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA SYNOPSIS Started in 2004 in 2005 it became a community project. The project has 20 Women the we registered as a cooperative in 2007 with 6 members, including the youth and elderly. Farming and supplying to big supermarkets like Boxer superstores & Spar in Richards-bay in Kwa Zulu Natal. Supply Fruit and Veg City & schools in the local area through a feeding scheme.

OBJECTIVES To train woman and youth on the agricultural skills. To feed school children who do not have food. To bring income to reduce poverty. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

BACKGROUND Nhlabosini Cooperative was formed from a community project When I started this project it was because men were being retrenched from work and the women needed to help sustain their families. Our community is been over the years suffering from unemployment of women and hunger prevailed and it affected women and children most. Even the men were encouraged to take part in the project. We saw that our children were idle and so we decided that they should come and help us with the gardens whilst they wait to get into school. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

Sharing with other projects:

KEY ACTIVITIES Planting and ploughing Packaging the vegetables Selling of the products Water harvesting Teaching about other techniques in organic farming Hold meetings on monthly basis Balance our records and books Do budgeting and facilitate how to obtain the best out of the market. Marketing the product in the nearby and local business hub and town. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA Amount local currency (specify) Total per year Salaries (6 members) R3500 per month R Petrol R1500 per month R18000 Planting R12000 per year R12000 Equipment (all bought in cash) R Vehicles R4800 per month R TOTAL R

BENEFICIARIES 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA CATEGORYWOMENMENTOTAL% WOMEN Direct beneficiaries e.g. Organizations members % Indirect beneficiaries e.g. Schools- we supply 7 schools school children Other beneficiaries e.g. Markets and grocery stores Total

CHALLENGES Agriculture or business in agriculture is not a fancy one, hence most people take time to realise it as such. Women and youth need to be motivated to change their mind set about their ability to change their lives. Business skills are still needed Planting is seasonal and at times we run out of the relevant seeds for the particular season. We rely on the department for both technical support and tools for our project, there's a need to involve private sector, yet it is still a challenge. Transporting of our vegetables to markets and the schools. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

RESULTS Women’s empowerment – Training and capacity building even though we do not the money but we try. Men for change – Men respect their wives more because they are able to bring in income Public participation – We encourage school children to come and help us during school holidays so that they are not on the streets with nothing to do. Outreach through the media : – The media does come to document the work that we do. Changes at household level – Women are more independent and can bring in their own money Capacity building – We teach students from UKZN on how to sustain their agricultural projects. Changes in attitudes – People now understand that land can provide income and ease poverty. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

LESSON LEARNED AND INNOVATION Financial muscle is not easily accessible Information gathering is been difficult on who and where to get help Ability to keep members motivated and working together for a successful outcome of the project. Being in the rural areas is sometimes not easy to access some or most of the helping tools for the project. Planning is key for the project to succeed. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA

KEY PRIORITIES FOR 2014 Formalizing the markets and thinking and doing like business women. Marketing and promoting the project vigorously to al the private sectors around the area. Attending more training and enlightening other women Involving the dieticians and food specialists Involving ourselves to the fresh produce market about to be opened in our area. 50/50 BY 2015: DEMANDING A STRONG POST 2015 AGENDA