The beautiful landscape surrounding Southampton farm, photo by Margie JansenMr. Chocky Ndlovu
Note to the reader
Chocky Ndlovu is a farm worker at Southampton farm, which is part of the Dinaledi Farming Enterprises. Dinaledi is Fairtrade certified for its oranges, lemons and grapefruit and is located in Limpopo. This isn't only the story of Chocky, but also of the entire Moletele Community on the path of a better future.
Dinaledi Farming Enterprises and the Moletele community
“The workers are big into their soccer,” says Martin Mentis, general manager of Dinaledi Farming Enterprises. Dinaledi was birthed in October 2008 and oversees two neighbouring farms: Grovedale and Southampton. The Moletele community, an informal settlement on the outskirts of the agricultural district, successfully claimed the land through the Moletele Communal Property Association (MCPA) during a ‘willing buyer/willing seller’ land reform undertaking. This venture benefits nearly 6000 people in the Moletele community.
Southampton farm, bordering the Kruger National Park, lies in the Maruleng region near Hoedspruit in Limpopo Province. The area is famous for its citrus production and the Dinaledi enterprise - exporting lemons, grapefruit and oranges to Canada, European countries and even Russia - is not left behind.
Dinaledi was Fairtrade accredited in 2009 and its farm workers received their first Fairtrade Premium last year. The Fairtrade Premium is a sum of money paid by traders on top of the produce price. It allows farm workers to invest in projects they consider necessary for their communities.
Whilst Soccer World Cup fever reigned in South Africa, the decision was simple: the first Premium money would be spent on realising a big dream - going to watch a soccer game live at the stadium! Armed with vuvuzelas and other soccer paraphernalia, roughly 20 workers added their voice to the cheer at games in Nelspruit in Mpumalanga and Polokwane in Limpopo.
Chocky Ndlovu, Photo by Margaret JansenChocky Ndlovu
“We were very happy. We never thought something like this would happen,” says Chocky Ndlovu, a Southampton farm employee and the orchard supervisor for some 40 hectares of Delta Valencia oranges.
Chocky comes from Zanini near Pretoria in Gauteng where his wife and two children, a five-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy, still live. Chocky has grown used to the separation. “It used to be very difficult,” he says. “But now it’s okay.” He highly values education and has paid for his wife to attend a course in computer literacy and administration, but has not yet been able to afford further schooling for himself.
Another slice of the Fairtrade Premium pie was spent on building a recreational centre on the farm. The concrete structure, with pavilion-style seating, boasts a big screen television and a DStv connection. Showers with hot water were also installed. “Since we got Fairtrade, things started to change,” Chocky reports. Weekend past time for the 47 permanent staff members and their families has radically changed. A festive feel now marks a happier community. The men get together for a braai and loudly root for their favourite soccer teams on the big screen. “When the Kaiser Chiefs are playing, everyone goes,” Chocky laughs. Farm workers used to walk the 10 kilometres to town to watch soccer games at local pubs, but the construction of the centre has given rise to a greater sense of community.
The soccer frenzy is further fuelled by regular games at the farm. Chocky hopes that soccer kits will be purchased with the next Fairtrade Premium.
The difference Fairtrade can make
A portion of the 2010 Premium was also used to renovate a farm crèche and a number of beds were bought for the homes of workers on Grovedale farm. A small amount was set aside for low-interest loans afforded to farm workers, who used it to help pay for their children’s school fees.
Chocky feels that there has been a notable difference in the working conditions since the farm’s Fairtrade accreditation. Regulations controlling the spraying of pesticides have tightened and are better enforced and medical check-ups are regularly done. General cleanliness and hygiene has also improved, he reports. Chocky and a few other supervisors were personally involved in removing refuge from the housing compound.
The Fairtrade Premium earned from the next sale of fruits will be used on improving living conditions and Chocky agrees that this is a high priority. Whilst already noticing significant change, he is particularly concerned about the state of the homes of the temporary staff. “They are shacks. And when it rains, water leaks through the plastic,” he says. “I know it won’t happen immediately. I [understand] change takes time.”
Kicking off to a good start, the future of Dinaledi’s farm workers is bright yellow.
[This story was written by Margaret Jansen on behalf of Fairtrade Label South Africa]
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How can I contribute?
Currently, Dinaledi sells all its Fairtrade certified oranges, lemons and grapefruit for export. While European consumers are already enjoying these socially and environmentally responsible Fairtrade fruits from South Africa, we are working with local stakeholders and retailers to soon offer the same to local consumers. All you can do at this stage is to raise your voice and ask your local shop for Fairtrade fruits!
