Anastasia Smith was in the middle of the ASEZ Atlantis Food Security Programme when she landed a massive contract to grow chillies for the next three years.
South Africa (26 June 2023) – The Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) is making dreams come alive, hosting several programmes that are designed with the community at heart. Anastasia Smith, a hopeful small-scale farmer, is one of those whose dreams are finally becoming a reality. Thanks to the ASEZ Atlantis Food Security Programme, she will see her farm grow to new heights.
When Anastasia Smith heard that her great-great-grandfather had been a farmer, she began to dream about becoming one too. Growing up in Belhar in the Cape Flats, farming wasn’t on her mind but when her mother shared her family history, she took a chance and today, it’s paying off!
Anastasia sells seasonal produce including herbs such as coriander and rosemary, and nutritious greens such as lettuce, mustards and spinach, to suppliers in the Western Cape. Now she also has the contract to grow chillies for a big business over the next three years.
In working with the ASEZ Atlantis Food Security Programme, Anastasia was able to get advice and support with her farming contract which helped her make sure she had all the legal grounds covered. The programme is run to help small-scale farmers run their farms as a business. They are given key business skills as well as networking opportunities. For Anastasia, a key takeaway was learning more about her soil management.
South Africa has “Special Economic Zones” throughout the country. These zones are allocated to areas where there is potential for growth and investment. They have different rules of operation and receive additional tax incentives for establishing new businesses within these zones – this promotes job creation closer to areas that have previously been forgotten. The ASEZ’s focus is on green tech, innovation and manufacturing.
The Atlantis Special Economic Zone is a beacon of hope for the people of Atlantis. By fostering green growth and empowering its residents, the ASEZ is paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.
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