David Shilabi is a farmer in the Greater Kruger area and managed to negotiate a high-end client for his produce.
Mpumalanga, South Africa (20 November 2024) — David Shilabi is a farmer with a passion for growing things. The African Conservation Trust has shared his story, which is supporting people in the broader Mpumalanga and Limpopo areas who face high unemployment. David’s love of farming comes from knowing its value, saying, “We are standing on money in the ground.”
David is part of a group that took part in a programme to launch community gardens three years ago. While his community faces high unemployment rates, water scarcity, and elevated summer temperatures, all of which contribute to the region’s food insecurity, he has forged forward to make his efforts a success.
Participant farmers live in communities near the game reserves and are paid a stipend by SEF, provided with agroecological training and ongoing mentoring, and provided with tools and PPE, seedlings, and agricultural materials by the African Conservation Trust (ACT).
Since the initiative was launched, the farmers consume their harvests, sell the vegetables for profit, or donate the produce to families in need.
David sought to maximise profits and approached a neighbouring private game reserve to sell his produce. He was successful. Today, his efforts feed tourists from around the world who come to experience a South African safari. He supplies produce to four private reserves and the Kruger National Park.
“The food produced is organic, nutrient-dense, chemical-free, and devoid of plastic packaging. The produce is consumed by the farmers, sold across the fence into their communities, or donated to the vulnerable.”
“The partnerships between the private lodges and the surrounding communities are multifaceted and vital for the long-term conservation of South Africa’s wild spaces. It is rewarding to see the formation of authentic partnerships, resulting in employment inside the conservation areas, but also empowerment of entrepreneurs in communities on the reserve boundaries.” – Carl Grossman, the Chairman of ACT
David is a trailblazer for the farmers in his community, as the local reserves look closer to home when stocking their cold rooms.
“I have a passion for growing things, for helping people, and the lodges to get fresh vegetables, because I see nowadays there is too much sickness, and people are not eating well. I’m also trying to teach others that we can create jobs without being employed by someone. I’ve got a mission and a vision for this thing, and I am looking forward to improving from where I am now,” – David Shilabi
So far, the chefs at the lodges have rave reviews, with one even saying they cannot keep stock of David’s rocket as the guest love the spicy, fresh greens.
The African Conservation Trust is proud to share David’s success. It goes to show how projects like this really do have long-term, life-changing effects on the communities that need it most!
The project was a collaboration between government, game reserves, and NGOs aimed to alleviate some challenges – numerous community gardens were initiated with support from the Social Employment Fund (SEF), management by the African Conservation Trust (ACT); and coordination with the Sabi Sand Pfunanani Trust (SSPT), and the South African National Parks (SANParks).
You can learn more from the African Conservation Trust here.
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