As part of its commitment to working with youth in particular, to change the narrative of youth economic underdevelopment and marching towards a South Africa that has economically active youth citizenry, the National Development Agency (NDA) approved funding to the value of R265 318 to enable Intandekho Agricultural Primary Cooperative to expand their operations. The NDA does this by ensuring that its programmes also focus on youth and promulgating funding for youth Civil Society Organisations and Cooperatives.   

“We knew that riches are in the soil, even though like many youth, we did not want to farm - we had to do something to participate in the economy and also create employment, while ensuring that our communities have enough food,” says the Director of Intandekho Agricultural Primary Cooperative, Mr Nature Khumalo.

Mr Khumalo grew up in a family that was passionate about farming and from the age of seven (7), he became active in all agricultural activities done by his family. Through his active participation, he developed his love for agriculture. In 2019, he got a learnership with the AGRO-SEDA that had given him more information and knowledge about agriculture which prompted him to partner with other young people and start a cooperative.

The six member youth-led cooperative was established in 2010 and only registered in 2019. Its mission is to ensure food security within their community and create employment for other young people. The cooperative hopes to change the narrative that the youth of today focus on working for other people or for specific companies, ignoring the entrepreneurship opportunities and other channels of generating sustainable livelihoods for themselves.  

The cooperative produces maize, beans and other crops. In their last harvest they managed to produce 100 tons of butternut, 8000 heads of pumpkins and 300 crates of tomatoes. The cooperative is currently looking at the sustainability of their business and diversify the means of production through agro-production, processing, packaging and distribution.

The NDA grant went towards ensuring that Intandekho is sustainable and introducing technology into their production. They have installed electrical pumps, power-driven motor for the irrigation system, connected water pump to Jojo tanks, constructed a pack house with ablution facilities and installed the cold room at the pack house. Intandekho Agricultural Primary Cooperative has also received funding and capacitation from other stakeholders through linkages of the NDA such as the NYDA, the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Local Affairs and SEDA.

“The NDA is determined, that there is a serious need for youth cooperatives such as Intandekho in rural communities like Mkhondo Local Municipality. These cooperatives will not only create employment for young people in remote areas, but also create an environment in which young people are active agents of creating development opportunities in their immediate environment. The NDA is available and ready to work with other stakeholders to assist young people in Gert Sibande and other parts of South Africa to create Youth Economic Emancipation, and this can be attained through strategic partnerships,” Mr Maxwell Mathebula – NDA Mpumalanga Provincial Manager.

Project details:

Intandekho Agricultural Primary Cooperative

Gert Sibande, Mkhondo Local Municipality, Ward 19

Nature Khumalo, 076 073 0614/ intadekhoagri@webmail.com  

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Media inquiries may be forwarded to Mr Lonwabo Ganelo 073 295 0547 lonwabog@nda.org.za  

ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY