A young up-and-coming farmer from Phiphidi Shonisani, outside Thohoyandou, says the youth of South Africa will have nothing to celebrate if they do not stand up and create jobs for themselves.
Nngodiseni Mulelu (22), who farms fish and vegetables on a piece of land on his father's six-hectare farm, spoke to Limpopo Mirror right before the start of the annual Youth Month celebrations on 16 June.
"Unemployment and poverty have become a way of life to a lot of young people in this country. Many are educated but are still jobless years after obtaining their qualifications. This is unacceptable. It cannot go on like this; something needs to be done. Young people have their future in their own hands, and this can only be realised if they start their own businesses and employ others," he said.
Mulelu said he grew up with agriculture in his blood. As a boy, he used to follow his father to his small farm, where he would try to copy his father in whatever he would be doing. He started his own farming career by planting vegetables which, today, he sells to the local communities. "In 2020, when I was in the 11th grade, I took an interest in fish farming after realising that there was an increasing demand for fish in the Vhembe region. In 2022, after I had completed my matric, I took a gap year from my studies and started farming fish full time. I have since had my first harvest of Tilapia and silver carp, which I also sell to the local market. In the meantime, I share my knowledge about fish farming with other youths in my area. Some have already started and are trying their own businesses."
Mulelu is planning to expand his business and supply fish to big supermarkets. "To the youths of this country I say, do not despair; do not give up in life. In these hard economic times, we should get up and improve our own lives. Do not wait for handouts. Start a business, no matter how small it may be in the beginning. It will make sense one day," he said.