If you are retired and at a loss for what to do, now is the perfect time to stay active by starting something that not only keeps you occupied but also generates a modest income to support yourself. This is the perspective of 66-year-old retiree Mr Ratshilumela Lufuno Dzebu from Khubvi village, who has found fulfilment in small-scale farming.
Dzebu operates his farming venture singlehandedly, without any help, along the Mbwedi River. He dedicates his time to it every day, not only as a means of an extra income but also as a form of exercise and to maintain his fitness. His agricultural activities encompass growing vegetables, as well as raising poultry, pigs, and goats.
Dzebu previously worked as a refuse-removal supervisor at the Thulamela Municipality. When he retired in May 2018, he started planting vegetables in his backyard. "My days got filled because I had to get up every morning to work in my garden. Fortunately, because I am a bona fide resident, the local traditional leader allocated me enough space for my farming activities without any worries. This activity comes in handy as some of the food that I previously had to buy for my family now comes straight from my own smallholding. I have come to realise that farming is the backbone of our lives because if we don't produce our own food, we will not be able to sustain ourselves in these tough economic times. Our young people should also be encouraged to take up farming as a career," he said.
He firmly believes that retirees should keep themselves busy and productive all the time. In his opinion, the reason why so many retirees suffer from bad health is because they spend too much time doing nothing. "This is where opportunistic diseases come in, because when people do not keep themselves busy, their bodies become weak. My advice to fellow retirees is to start something small to stay productive. This will keep their bodies fit and healthy at the same time. If all retirees keep themselves busy and exercise, the time spent in doctor's consultation rooms would be limited," he said.