Impact of ACAT - ACAT KZN - ACAT is a faith-based ... · Nomsa Biyela of Madladlula zone, Ntumeni 1, joined the programme in 2015 because she felt that ACAT would be the right organisation

ACAT Photoreport for 2018

January to December 2018

Impact of ACAT

PHOTO REPORT: Over 100 stories of changed lives

ACAT’s focus is to alleviate poverty sustainably through income generation,

food security and spiritual transformation. This report tells over 100 stories of how group members throughout KwaZulu-Natal have achieved this during 2018. Many of their stories seem similar ... each person started with a choice for change, implemented some strategy or plan, and then made a huge effort, spent hours of hard work, sweat, and at times, even tears, to achieve their goals!

Their central message is that poverty can be defeated – and this report tells their stories, and celebrates their victories.

This report also pays tribute to our ACAT team that has taught, envisioned and cheered these champions on their way!

Contents

Nquthu ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Ntumeni and Ntuli ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Taylor’s Halt ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Vulindlela .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Emnambithi ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 10

eThekwini ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Highflats ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15

Impendle ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 16

Maphumulo ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Mondlo ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Okhahlamba .................................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Izingolweni / Mzumbe ............................................................................................................................................................ 21

Nhlazuka ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 22

Nkandla ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Nquthu

Page | 3ACAT Photoreport for 2018

Mrs Ntombi Ngobese joined Zenzeleni group 3 years ago. She is a hard worker and produces vegetables in a sustainable way. Although she has a small piece of land, that does not stop her from growing vegetables which she sells locally. She is a very active group member and her production skills have improved since receiving training through ACAT.

Sipho Manyathi of Tholulwazi Group joined Tholulwazi group in order to gain agricultural, entrepreneurial, health and spiritual knowledge.

He raises Zulu chickens, grows fruit trees and has a big vegetable garden. He sells his produce to traders who buy in bulk. His ambition for self-development and community development resulted in him progressing from a group member to a Community Volunteer, then to a Community Volunteer Co-ordinator and now to a Community Extension Officer (CEO).

He has built himself a 6-roomed house with his profits and savings. His family enjoys fresh vegetables from the garden and fresh meat from his home chickens. His dream is to keep more home chickens which are easy to manage, and to supply the neighbourhood.

Siyenza Co-op group was formed by two groups joining together to form a co-op at Hlathi Dam zone. They grow vegetables and other crops which they sell to Boxer Supermarket.

Some of their produce is also sold at pension points. They save their profits in order to improve their business. Their spiritual development which they learned after attending ACAT’s Basic Life Skills Course has improved drastically. They now pray and share the Word together. They have learned to solve their problems using problem solving techniques taught by ACAT field staff. Their cohesive power has caused the neighbourhood to form interest groups. They buy agricultural inputs with their savings, which enables them to get discounts. They allow other G5 members to visit them for exposure visits. There is also a good working relationship with the Department of Agriculture.

Gubazi Women’s Crafters was formed by 3 groups in order to improve their very bad domestic situation. Some of these ladies are widows and breadwinners. Due to the high cost of living, they found it very hard to make ends meet. Through ACAT they learned that they could become e n t r e p r e n e u r s using their skills and talents. They now make grass mats; sew school uniforms, traditional attire, dresses and beadwork.

Their products are sold in town, locally and at pension points. They have formed a Savings and Loans Group where they save and lend money to purchase different materials for their enterprise. They also have thriving vegetable gardens. Having joined the group, they have developed many skills, which enables them to put food on the table and increasingly improve their lives.

Pastor Smanga Sithole joined ACAT in 2015. He has acquired skills from ACAT’s courses and field staff and now grows vegetables in an expanded garden. He started a profitable block making business as there is a high demand for cement building blocks as people are moving away from mud homes, to build strong block houses. He also started a welding business and makes burglar guards to order. He bought a water tank and fencing material through the savings and profits from his businesses. He attended the Pastor’s course offered by ACAT and has formed four G5s in the area which he is servicing. As a CV he also serves as a chairperson of the area Coordinating Committee.

Ntumeni & Ntuli


Asilimeni (Let us Farm) days (here in Ntumeni and Ntuli) expose G5 members to farming skills, and gives group members an opportunity to sell their produce and handiwork.

Ntumeni & Ntuli


Nomsa Biyela of Madladlula zone, Ntumeni 1, joined the programme in 2015 because she felt that ACAT would be the right organisation to improve her life since she was in financial trouble.

She was from a very abusive marriage with many children. When her husband died, life became even worse. She said she had no money to make ends meet and because of her situation, she had to move back to her parents. At her parents home, they rejected her and said they did not have space for such a big family. She had to stay at her neighbour’s homestead until the municipality provided her with a two room wooden plank house. She stayed there with her children until it started to rot.

She then built a small house using cement and stones – at that time she was working on a farm. Then she started borrowing money from loan sharks, unaware that life would become worse because of interest that would accumulate.

While she was in that situation, ACAT came and introduced her to sustainable agriculture. She joined the group, and was lucky to be chosen by her group to attend the Basic Life Skills Course at the ACAT Centre. She committed her life to the Lord and came back motivated and encouraged, and started growing vegetables to feed her family.

Soon she extended her garden with the aim of selling garden produce. Now she sells her produce at the local Municipality. She has fruit trees – bananas, peaches, granadilla, pawpaw, and avocado pears. She attended area workshops where she learned different skills including business skills. She was trained to save to avoid the danger of borrowing from loan sharks. She joined a Savings and Loans group, and with the money from her sales and savings, she bought cement and made enough blocks to build a two-roomed house and a rondavel. Nomsa says:

“I thank God for ACAT’s work. Now I have a strong house and no more shame for myself and my children. Two of my children are at the university, and because of savings, I was able to register them at university”.

G5 members meet to save and borrow money monthly in different zones. They are so excited about the achievements in their businesses and homes. Sometimes they buy in bulk to save money.

Buzelani Buthelezi from Madidima zone is a member of Siyaphila group. She joined ACAT as a group member in 2005. Her aim was to learn how to grow vegetables and learn new skills to improve her situation.

Her husband was unemployed, so there was no source of income and it was difficult to support her children.

After attending workshops, she went home and practiced what was taught. She started with a door size plot just producing for her family.

The following planting season she extended her garden to produce more for home and for sale. As her situation improved, she was able to buy second hand clothes to sell to her neighbours as another way of generating income. She joined a savings and loans group because she wanted to improve her house.

This year, together with her son, she decided to build a two roomed house, using money from her sales and savings.

She also bought a water tank through her savings and loans group – the tank will provide her with drinking water and be used to water her vegetable garden.

Ntumeni & Ntuli


Zama Shange said she joined ACAT programme in 2015:“Because it is an organisation, which puts God first in everything. Before joining ACAT, I was just sitting at home and doing nothing. I did not see the point of planting vegetables because I could just buy them from town. But after joining ACAT I realized the importance of growing my own vegetables.

Now she grows a variety of crops and this year she had a very good onion and potato harvest which was sold at a good profit. She extended her garden and included fruit trees. She keeps goats and indigenous chickens. She started a sewing project during 2018, and gets a lot of orders. Her income has improved, and her husband was so happy seeing the change in her, that he also joined the programme. Mrs Shange is a Community Volunteer in her area, and she goes around and motivates people to start small businesses, to grow vegetables, and encourages them to join a saving group.

Lindumusa Makhathini (from Kwamfana zone) is a member of Nqobani group, and he grows vegetables in a sustainable way.

He also grows different fruit trees – for example – banana, pawpaw, oranges, granadilla – with the help of the ACAT Extension Co-ordinator (Bongani Mdlovu).

When the fruits are ready, they make fruit juice for sale and for his family to enjoy.

Pauline Ngema of Nqobani group joined the programme two years ago. She is one of our model farmers in her zone. Each time you visit her, you find her working in her vegetable garden. She saves monthly in SLG to buy fencing material. She says:

“I am old, but farming keeps me strong!”

Pastor Mncwango is an active G5 member who joined the ACAT programme after attending the Pastors’ Course held at the ACAT Centre. He also attended Basic Life Skills course at the ACAT Centre, where he became motivated to start with a door size vegetable garden.

Now he grows different crops and vegetables for home use and for sale. Because of his willingness and enthusiasm, he was selected to become a Community Volunteer and he encourages new G5 members to start their small business and home food production. His family is also involved in farming. His children help him with fetching water, which is about 500 meters from the garden. His dream is to supply local shops with fresh produce.

Taylor's Halt


Thembile Ngcobo joined ACAT as a group member in 2016 when her neighbour invited her. She says: “When I heard the good news that it was possible to find healthy ways to come out of poverty, I immediately looked for friends to make up a G5. My life was boring just sitting at home waiting for my husband to put bread on the table. But now I have seen the benefits of being in the programme. I have learned to think of new ways to make money. Now my home is surrounded with many things that generate money – a vegetable garden, woodlot, and chicken run. I sell surplus vegetables, firewood and indigenous chickens and most days I earn at least R100. This small amount really helps me, as I am able to buy groceries once in a week. At the moment I am not able to save, but I am convinced about the ACAT concept of saving.”

Delisile Mkhize is a new G5 member who joined the ACAT programme this year (2018). She attended ACAT Basic Life Skills Course and upon coming back, she started a vegetable garden. She says: “Before joining ACAT, my life was just going in circles without me knowing what to do. But today I have something to do with my life – I am always in my garden. Neighbours are surprised to see my productivity, and I have helped many to join ACAT and encouraged them to work hard rather than just waiting for handouts from the government. I produce more than enough vegetables for my family, so I sell the surplus to neighbours and use this money to buy other consumable things. My dream is to be a successful farmer who supplies local markets”.

Gabisile Cele joined ACAT this year (2018). She says: “I used to be a lazy young lady but now I am a very passionate person who wants to improve my situation and become an entrepreneur. I have a nice garden with a variety of vegetables. I am proud of my work and I am going to grow more crops in future. People are troubling me by always wanting things for free. ACAT has taught me to be wise and avoid becoming a charity to everyone. Rather I must encourage them to join ACAT and produce their own food. We are talking about starting a saving club”.

Olwethu Thabethe joined ACAT this year. She was trained by a Community Volunteer and Community Extension Officer. She soon developed an interest in gardening. She started a small vegetable garden, but soon realized that the lack of fencing in her home and community, was hampering her productivity. She then came up with a solution and made a pole garden to protect plants from livestock. Her neighbours were very interested in her ideas, and she would love to form a training team to help teach others in her zone. She has also decided to join a savings and loans group so that she can save money for her child.

Ethel Masikane joined ACAT as G5 member in 2015. Before joining ACAT, she had tried to produce vegetables, but had little success. Now she has learned some new skills on how to be more productive. She gathered all the broken basins she could find, and filled them with soil and compost and planted some vegetables. She is gifted in craftwork, and recycles plastic bags to make colourful mats of different sizes and styles, which she sells locally. She also recycles cupboards by covering them with colourful mats. People within the community hire her to do that, and pay her for her services. She is very thankful to ACAT:“I have found what I was made to do with my life”.

Mrs Majozi has worked very hard ever since she joined ACAT programme. She says: “If you love what you do, you will receive satisfaction. Before I joined ACAT, I was just a house wife taking care of daily activities. I did not know that there was a way to generate money. Now I have a vegetable garden, chickens, goats and cattle. My garden produces enough food for my family and we no longer buy vegetables and chicken portions from the supermarket. Instead I save. I got a Jojo tank through my savings club and ACAT”.

Taylor's Halt


Mrs Jili joined ACAT when her neighbour invited her to the first meeting ever in this zone. When she heard how the programme works, she made up her mind to be part of the programme. Before ACAT came into her life, her husband used to work the land but did not get good yields. However, after joining ACAT, they experienced a huge harvest. Unfortunately her husband died in 2016. She has taken it upon herself to work hard and apply the principles of business she has learned from ACAT. She has a small garden at home where she plants vegetables, and a field where she plants crops like potatoes, beans and maize. She goes to the bush to fetch wood, which she then sells. A load of wood (in the picture) earns her about R1500. She is a member of a Savings Club and has saved over R1800.

This is Dudu’s first garden. She says: “I am excited to eat vegetables fresh from my own sweat. I really regret having wasted so much time doing nothing worthwhile. I am so grateful to ACAT that it came to my area to wake us up. Now I can face my future with confidence. I lived a life of hating work, but after joining ACAT in 2015, and reading the bible I have found out that work is a blessing, and can put you on a highway to victory!” She fenced her garden using empty mealiemeal bags and any material she could find. This garden gives the family fresh vegetables and by so doing they are saving. The money that they save from not buying vegetables from supermarkets, is now saved in her savings club.

Zethu Ngcobo joined the ACAT programme in 2016 because she wanted to sustain herself and her family. “I was praying to find someone who could teach me new methods and techniques on how to farm. And then ACAT came into my life. Before, I used to sit and wait for a salary from my husband who is a policeman. But today I spend most of my time in the garden and visiting neighbours, encouraging them to do something about their situations”. She is also a member of a savings club – saving for the needs of her children. She also saves at the bank and stokvel.

Bongeka Mbona joined ACAT programme in 2016. At first she started a vegetable garden and planted carrots, cabbages, spinach, chillies, beetroot, and potatoes. She says: “I am making hunger history! I want to work extra hard and make poverty history! I have discovered that it is possible to do just that!” She joined a saving club and has saved R1700. She also started rearing broilers – which she sells at R80 each. At the moment she manages 50 birds, but her dream is to expand her business. With the money she is earning, she wants to build a poultry house so that she can be one of the major suppliers of chickens in the area.

Nhlanhla is an amazing young man. After joining ACAT in 2017 and having attended the Basic Life Skills Course at the ACAT Centre, he came back with creative ideas. He found metal drums and cut them horizontally in half and poured in chemicals that treats timber. He says he has seen the opportunity to develop this business locally so that people no longer have to go to town to access treated timber.

He is also trying to establish a butchery – buying meat at wholesale prices, and then repackaging it into small packs to sell at R50. He says that this business is making him at least R300 profit. We have encouraged Nhlanhla to mobilize and encourage the group to start a saving club. They plan to start their group in 2019.

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Vulindlela


Mrs Myaka is in “Phase 3” of ACAT’s sustainable homestead programme. She has worked very hard ever since becoming a group member in 2008. She is regarded as a supplier of green vegetables in her area. Her garden is well fenced, and has a large variety of vegetables. She is however struggling to breakthrough into becoming a commercial farmer, because of limited space. One option is for her to purchase a farm. To this end she is saving with the bank.

Nomzamo is a very hard working young lady. Before joining ACAT, she had been involved in supporting development in her area, but when she joined ACAT in 2016, she slowly started realizing that she could positively contribute to the well-being of the people in her area.

She says: “I really thank ACAT for opening my eyes of understanding. I am better off today than I was yesterday. The teaching I have acquired from the training at ACAT will enable me to contribute for the well-being of our people in my zone. Indeed, I see myself blessed and empowered to make changes in the lives of those I am in contact with”.

Nomzamo wants to be an example to her neighbours and friends. She has influenced her group to start a saving club, and they started savings in June 2018. Their goal is to become self-reliant and create wealth so that they can be prepared for unforeseen eventualities – such as when crises strike, or to save for positive things, like their children’s tertiary education. Nomzamo is also a Community Volunteer who has completed the third course and she plans to complete the 4th and 5th courses in 2019.

Mrs Nene joined ACAT in 2016. She says: “ACAT has taught me to pay attention to the land, because it can give you whatever you want, so long as you are well capacitated. Land can feed you. I really thank ACAT for the principles of life they have taught me. Now I have a vegetable garden and a broiler chicken business, something I never dreamed or thought I could achieve. My garden feeds my whole family of 10 people. I have found out that you can save a lot when you work hard and produce vegetables, crops, chickens for yourself.”She saves monthly so that she can buy a farm. Her dream is to be a commercial farmer.

This group member says: “Thank you ACAT for coming to my life and opening my eyes. Joining ACAT is the best decision I ever made in my life. I became a member in 2017, and I have seen so many benefits. I never used to work. I just waited for the money to come in for the child grants. I think my awakening to do right things has come at a right time when I most needed it. I now belong to a church, and I read in the bible that I should help friends and neighbours to achieve the same as me. I have planted varieties of vegetables because ww I learned that each kind of vegetable has different healthy nutrients. My biggest goal in life is to leave a legacy behind when I am gone. That is why I am a member of a savings club – my goal is to invest for my family”.

Nelly joined ACAT in 2016. She received training in skills development and soon implemented what she had learned. She says: “Before I joined ACAT my life was characterized with violence and blaming others for my inadequacy. Now I realize that some of it was my own fault. I have come to value God’s word, and I now work extra hard to make up for the time I spent in fighting innocent people. That is why I want others to know that they too can learn to help themselves”.

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Emnambithi


ACAT encourages group members to start saving so that they can provide cash for their families, and to form savings groups so that they can use their combined savings to loan money to each other to enable each one to establish profitable businesses.

Monthly meetings are held in different zones. This group (above) is known as Phakamani 1. As at December 2018, they saved a total of R37,280.

They say: “Through our savings as individuals we have managed to buy TV sets, electrical appliances, and building materials for improving our homes. We have also paid tuition fees for our children”.

Ntombifuthi Khumalo is 59 years old. She lives in emaDrayini zone, and has been an ACAT group member since 2010. She says: “When I joined ACAT, I was not interested in keeping local chicken breeds. I was not involved in growing vegetables and I never bothered myself about eating healthy food. I had no interest to earn income from any business. But, after attending the ACAT Basic Life Skills training course, I started to improve my life.

Firstly, I established a sustainable homestead and was trained through ACAT as a community volunteer in the area. I spent most of my time helping others establish their own food gardens, and motivating group members to start saving and loaning to each other – with the aim of starting income generating enterprises.

I visit other group members, conduct bible studies, and am in charge of teaching Sunday School in my church. ACAT taught me and my community the importance of saving. Through my savings, I have managed to buy a Television set and a lounge suite.”

Sizakele joined Hlaleleni group in 2010. She joined the group to acquire the agricultural skills to produce her own vegetables and look after her small livestock more productively. She says: “Before joining ACAT, I was so desperate. I remember that the ACAT Extension Officer motivated me to at least start by making a vegetable garden so that I could feed my family.

Now 8 years later, I produce vegetables and keep small livestock (which I sell) to earn money for my family.

My family lifestyle has improved because whenever we need cash, I sell some sheep to get whatever amount I need.

I have also got a loan through our savings group which enabled me to buy building material to improve my home”.

Emnambithi


During Asilimeni (Let us Farm) days we teach group members principles of sustainable agriculture, (such as how to plant different crops like potatoes, beans and maize). These days also provide an opportunity for our farmers to have a market day to sell their agricultural produce. The programme includes the Jesus film, or a message by a local pastor. It is an opportunity for everyone in the community to be involved in what ACAT is doing – whether they are a group member or not.

ACAT assists strategic partners (organisations and churches outside the programme) by establishing partnerships. Through the partnership programme, pastors and Sunday school teachers are invited to attend leadership courses with the intention of equipping them to be able to go back and impact their target groups.

Elmon Ndlela – ACAT’s field Co-ordinator delivers 750 bibles to the mission work done by CMD.

Mr Shabalala from Egcabhawe zone, Emnambithi, is a new G5 member who joined the programme in 2018. He joined the group after seeing some of his relatives who had improved their lives by producing their own vegetables and running small business enterprises. They told him that they were trained by an organisation called ACAT and advised him to join an ACAT group. He was unemployed and said he had no idea how to grow vegetables.

So he joined a group, attended the 5-day ACAT training, and started putting into practice what he learned from ACAT.

Now he grows different types of vegetables, and has started a tuckshop. He also motivates and encourages other members of the community to start their own home food gardens. He has joined a savings group and has already managed to save R5000.

ACAT encourages rural communities to form groups of five with the purpose of improving their lives. The Inqaba yempilo group (above) was formed in March 2017 because they wanted to learn how to sustain their lives. After attending ACAT training, group members started home food gardens where they produce vegetables for their families. Extra produce is sold to earn cash, and they are all involved in small business enterprises. The money they earn from their businesses enables them to save monthly. Some members have saved enough money to buy Jojo tanks to harvest rain water – which helps them to water their gardens. They say being a member of their group has really empowered them.

Nompumelelo Gamede joined ACAT in 2017 to learn about gardening and acquire business skills. She says:“ACAT taught us sustainable agriculture principles such as the use of compost or manure to improve soil fertility. I grow different types of vegetables and sell any extra produce. I also attended ACAT’s training and now serve as a Community Volunteer, spending most of my time assisting the G5 members to start home food gardens, and manage their small enterprise well. I also teach group members the importance of savings, and assist them to run their savings and loans groups effectively”.

Emnambithi


Sibongile Mdlalose joined ACAT in 2008. She says: “My group is Sizokuhle. Before I joined ACAT I tried to grow vegetables, but did not have any training or the technical skills to make a success of my garden. After attending the ACAT training – I returned home, full of enthusiasm to practice what I learned from ACAT.

My homestead is now a “lighthouse” (to show others it is possible to improve your life). I harvest rain water to water my garden. I grow different types of vegetables.

I use mulching to retain moisture, and use cow dung as fuel for the fire as my place is full of stones and rocks with poor soil and no trees for firewood.

I now want to use containers to grow more vegetables. ACAT’s training made me develop a love for assisting other people in my area. I am a community volunteer and I love children. I help group members’ children to start their own food gardens and their own businesses and teach them Bible stories”. She has grown from strength to strength and now serves as a community extension officer.

Before joining ACAT in 2017 Thokozile Shabalala’s life was difficult due to her ill health. But now that her health (and life) is improving, she is able to devote more time to producing vegetables.

She says: “ACAT encourages us to be members of savings and loan groups so that we can save towards achieving our own particular goals. Through my savings I bought a Jojo tank to harvest rain water. Now I can water my vegetables and produce better results”.

Emily Buthelezi of Mathondwane zone says she has been able to expand her knowledge of farming since joining ACAT. She not only produces food for her family, but sells some to add to her income. She has also opened a spaza shop to supplement her income and to apply the entrepreneurial skills she learned from ACAT. She has become knowledgeable on a variety of vegetables, and farms according to the corresponding seasons, which helps her harvest good quality vegetables for home and for sale. Her dream is to supply supermarkets.

Ningi Buthelezi says she has seen such a positive change in her life since joining ACAT in 2017. Before joining she had minimal experience with vegetables, but now she grows good crops of spinach, cabbage, onion, tomato, etc, which she sells in her area. The knowledge she gained at ACAT allowed her to help develop other farming enthusiasts as she teaches others how to start and maintain their own gardens. This has increased her confidence and determination and influence in her community. Her dream is to become an even more successful farmer who is involved in larger scale farming.

eThekwini


Makhosazane Mphisa of Shayamoya Group joined the programme in 2018 because she saw her neighbours were benefiting from belonging to ACAT. She says: “As a single parent, life was very difficult, and I was struggling to make ends meet. Now I have made my own vegetable garden – which previously I thought was something impossible for me to achieve – and now my family enjoys fresh and healthy vegetables. I also have a craftwork business making mats and grass curtains for sale”.

Tholani Shezi of Mgangeni zone, Ethekwini joined ACAT in 2017. She says she was unemployed and had no skills, but after joining the programme, she learned different development skills. Now she grows and sells vegetables and has an indigenous chicken business. Her business has improved her finances and now she is able to save money in a Savings and Loan group. She wants to improve her garden in order to increase her crop and vegetable production and earn more money. She uses every spare bit of her garden.

Mendy Ngidi was a scholar who attended a Youth Basic Life Skills Course at the ACAT Centre in 2017. She returned home very motivated about farming, and established her own vegetable garden. She now has developed a nursery, and sells seedlings to other G5 members. She says: “I am so thankful to God that I can make money from my own garden”.

Cuthbert Bhengu of Mgangeni zone, is a new G5 member who joined the programme at the beginning of 2018. He attended Basic Life Skills as soon as he joined his group, and came back from ACAT with a changed mindset, full of motivation to practise what he learned. Now he grows different vegetables – cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, spinach and many more – to feed his family. He is looking forward to gaining more skills from ACAT. He fenced his garden with plastic sacking.

Hleliphi Bhengu of Shayamoya group joined the programme in 2018 and started at her new garden with the help of CV Mrs Thobile Ndlovu and other G5 members. She says: “I am looking forward to learning more development skills in order to come out of poverty. Before I joined the ACAT programme, my life was very bad and hopeless. But now I see a bright future for me. Now I also try to save monthly in my Savings and Loans group”.

Sibongile Nene of Eskebheni zone joined the programme early this year. She says she went to ACAT’s training Centre to attend the Basic Life Skills course where she got motivated to do something for herself. She went back home to practise what she learned. This is her first vegetable garden, which is thriving.

From time to time ACAT arranges combined meetings in order to teach new information. Here the group members from Mgangeni zone attended a workshop on how to make cough mixture and Vicks. G5 members were so excited to learn this skill. They are passionate about the savings and loan programme and they want to increase their income so that they can save for their future.

Group members of Egugwini zone held a combined meeting to learn how to make tower gardens using old sacks. This workshop aimed to help new G5 members learn how to grow vegetables even if they have limited space. Although these group members are new, they have a good mindset about the importance of saving money and are all saving in their Savings and Loans Groups.

eThekwini


Simangele Miya of Amatata zone, Ethekwini joined Siyazama group in 2013. She is an active CV who always encourages others to join ACAT’s programme. She also motivates her own family to be involved in food production. She grows crops and vegetables for her family and to sell to her neighbours. During the harvest season she earned R800 from her vegetable sales and she saves R100 monthly.

Simangele has influenced her son Andile (below) to join the programme this year. Now, he grows vegetables for his family; he makes and sells blocks; and has established a spaza shop. He saves his money at the bank and says: “I never thought that I could grow and eat from my own garden. My life is completely changed through the ACAT training, and through the encouragement I get from my mother”. His dream of becoming a successful businessman is well on its way!

These two G5 members have learned how to plant fruit trees. Here they practice what they have learned from the ACAT EC, Mandla Manyoni.

A market day for new group members from different zones in eThekwini was arranged for members to display their produce for sale. This activity has helped them gain business confidence – especially with the profit they made during the day.

G5 Members of Mgangeni zone, Ethekwini attended an area workshop where they were taught how to plant using old dishes and tyres. This type of planting is useful to those group members who have limited space. The emphasis is that everybody should have a vegetable garden. Hlengiwe Vilakazi, who is a CV in the area, conducted this workshop.

Makhosazane Gwala is a member of Mkhumbikanowa group from Mgangeni zone. She joined the programme in 2017 after observing that her neighbour’s garden stayed productive all year round.

She says: “Before I joined ACAT, I grew vegetables, but my harvest was not good. Now, I use compost, deep trenches, mulching, and kraal manure in my garden. It has made a huge difference. I grow spinach, cabbage, onions, mealies, and beans for my family and sell any surplus at the pension pay point. I want my grandchildren to know that they can live with food from the garden, and that working the soil is not for old people only, but is for all generations”.

Mr Gwala is a new G5 member who is working hard to produce food for his family. He uses sticks to fence his garden and protect it from animals. Now he is able to eat from his garden, as well as sell to his neighbours.

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Highflats


Nokulunga Shezi of Dunuse zone joined ACAT in 2018. She has a business selling broilers. Her business is going well.

These group members have a beadwork and sewing business, making items for sale or hire. They say their financial situation has really improved.

Members from different groups are encouraged to get together for mutual learning if they have a common interest. This business “sector group” at Nkwazi zone is learning how to make fruit juice. The aim is to help G5 members earn money by producing and selling juice made from fruit that they have either grown or purchased.

Siphile Silangwe of Busisankosi Group at Magugu zone joined the programme in 2009 as a result of him observing how his neighbours were benefiting from ACAT programme. He grows and sells crops and vegetables to his neighbours. The profit from his sales enables him to support his family – he actually pays for his children’s education with the money from his crops and garden – saving month by month in a savings and loans group.

Zethu Cele is a new member of Nsika group who joined ACAT in 2018. When she joined she started by saving R50 per month. She borrowed money and bought sewing material and started sewing clothes for sale. Zethu says: “It really helped me to go to ACAT training because now I can see my profits, and life has completely changed at my home”.

Sabekile Mbona joined ACAT in 2014. Now she grows vegetables and crops, and raises poultry for sale. She is a member of a savings and loans group.

Asilimeni days are held to teach agricultural principles and have an outreach to the community. Groups also sell their handwork. This day was a great success because they made profits from their sales.

Impendle


Fisani Dlamini is a very resourceful young lady who joined ACAT in 2018 with a goal to be challenged in the field of entrepreneurship. She says: “Before joining ACAT, my life revolved around sitting at home and looking for piece jobs here and there. But now I have found what to do and where I can direct my energy. My dream is to be a big supplier of vegetables and crops like maize, beans. I had good chili harvest, which I will grind into powder and repack for sale locally. My home is surrounded with vegetables, woodlots, and maize. ACAT you are life Saviour, you came and provoked me to do what I never dreamed of. I will join savings and loans club next year in 2019”.

Ever since Dudu Shange joined ACAT in 2009, she has always grown vegetables at her home. She says: “I am now advanced in age and have no more big plans. My desire is to pass the baton on to my daughter Zodwa who is our CV in the area”.

Dudu, also a CV, has inspired and recruited many into the ACAT programme, and taught many group members to start their saving clubs to enable them to boost their income and contribute towards their childrens’ education.

Jabulile Madlala (from Inzinga zone) became a G5 member in 2018 with a dream to become an entrepreneur. She always asks good questions during our area workshops, which indicates how passionate she is on managing her broiler business successfully. She sells birds at R80 each through her tuckshop business and she is able to make a reasonable profit. Jabu is also a member of a savings club, with a personal goal to save for her grandchildren.

Nozinhle Duma of Snothando group is very interested in business. Now she supplies local tuckshops and neighbours with chickens and eggs.

Melani Cele – a CV in the area – joined ACAT as a G5 member in 2013. She says: “Before I joined ACAT, I was just sitting, fetching water, washing, and watching TV at home. Now my vegetable garden is well-fenced.” She has planted a small crop of potatoes, since her garden is not big. Melani is a great asset to the G5 members, as she always wants to help others to achieve similar if not more than what she has attained so far.

Thandekile Gwala from Inguga zone is a hard working G5 member who always has vegetables throughout the year. She says: “I have worked very hard to train my children to work hard so that together we can chase away hunger from our family”.

(Above: Thandekile’s daughter picks some spinach from their garden).Thandekile is also a Community Volunteer who has formed many groups because of her passion to help her neighbours. She has inspired other G5 members to start saving for businesses that would improve their situation, and also to help them pay for their childrens’ tertiary education.

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Maphumulo


Senzeni Nkonyeni of Makhalegijima zone, is G5 member of Ukuzamakwethu. She joined the programme in 2012 because she wanted to learn how to produce food. Now she grows variety of crops, vegetables and fruit for family and for sale. This year she produced a very profitable harvest. She produces additional income by raising and selling goats. She saves R200 monthly in her Savings and Loans Group as a means to reach her dream of becoming a successful farmer.

This is Hlanganani Co-op, which started in 2017 when they bought 5 layers. As they had success, they bought another 20. Sometimes they get ± 4 x 30 eggs per week. Their business is doing well, and they have many customers. Their aim is to have 100 layers by 2020.

Thokozani Khumalo has been a member of Siyathuthuka group since 2014. Once she joined the programme, she never looked back. She works hard to produce food for her family. This year she harvested 12 bags of cabbages, which she sold with a profit of R1180, and spinach with a profit of R500. She saves R50 monthly in a Savings and Loans Group for her future.

Nokuzola Nkonyeni of Makhalegijima zone joined the ACAT programme in 2011. She has been to many ACAT skills training courses which has resulted in her producing vegetables to feed her family and for sale. She grows different crops and vegetables, keeps indigenous chickens and goats for sale. She sells chickens for R80 and goats for R1500 each. She also saves R100 monthly in a Savings and Loans Group to develop her business.

This area workshop was held for G5 members to learn how to plant seedlings using sustainable practices such as compost, deep trench, mulching etc.

Mondlo


Soon after Hlengiwe Nkosi joined ACAT in 2018, she attended a Basic Life Skills Course at the ACAT Centre. She returned home motivated and enthusiastic to start a new life. She started growing vegetables for her family and is looking forward to learning more skills in order to come out of poverty.

Sibongile Mkhonza joined Zibambele group in 2017. She is now a Community Volunteer and she is so helpful to her community. Her business is growing and selling seedlings is doing very well.

Dudu Mdlalose is a CV. She joined ACAT in 2016. This year she produced a very good onion harvest.

Fikelephi Khumalo of Phumelela group at Emawombe zone, only joined ACAT in 2018, but has already started her own small business selling her vegetable produce, cakes and snacks. She joined a Savings and Loans Group and is saving monthly. Sibusiso Nkomo joined ACAT in 2018 and went to the

ACAT Centre to represent his group at the Basic Life Skills Course. After the course, he returned home and started growing vegetables for his family and to sell to his neighbours. He also learned how to make peanut butter and fabric softer, which he now sells. He is very active and is looking forward to learning more and to develop himself to be a successful agri-business man. Other G5 members are so encouraged and motivated by what they learn from him.

Sibongile Mdlalose of Inhlanhla group joined the ACAT programme as a group member in 2016. She now has a thriving vegetable garden which is planted organically, using sustainable agriculture practices. Her family eats from her garden and she sells the surplus to her community.

Amawombe sector group, works together as a team. Here they were making a tower garden out of a maize meal bag.

They all have a big communal garden where they grow their crops and vegetables to feed their families and for sale.

Ntombi Mpungose of Bhekumthetho zone, is a new G5 member who joined the programme in 2018. She says she acquired business knowledge and now has established her own business selling snacks, vetkoek and sweets. She has also just started broiler production as another way of earning income.

Okhahlamba


Asilimeni Days held at Okhahlamba give G5 members a chance to be trained on how to plant potatoes and maize, as well as the opportunity to display and sell their produce.

Mabel Mabaso of Goodhome zone, joined ACAT in 2016. She had noticed that G5 members who were already in the programme were producing good crops and vegetables all year round. Now she too grows big fields of maize beans, and pumpkins, and has a productive vegetable garden, where she grows different kinds of vegetables.

She bought furniture and paid for her childrens’ school fees as a result of her improved financial situation.

Anthony Dlamini joined Philasande Group in 2009 because he wanted to be a successful farmer. He attended area workshops on growing vegetables and how to become a successful business man. Now he grows big fields of potatoes, maize and beans, has a vegetable garden, and grows fruit trees. He sells his surplus and this year he had a very good potato harvest – he earned R1500 from potato sales. He also grows and sells indigenous chickens and saves monthly in a Savings and Loans Group for his children’s education.

ACAT encourages group members to save money in order to come out of poverty. This G5 member is so happy to have bought this table set and pots using money she saved through her Savings and Loan Group.

Thandazile Mabaso – a member of Sesifikile group – shows off her deep freezer which she bought through her Savings and Loans Group.

Nonsikelelo Njoko says: “I am a living testimony to how my Savings and Loans Group has really helped me and other G5 members improve our lives. I saved and used my saving to buy building material to build a strong concrete house. Before joining the ACAT group, I lived in a mud house”.

Fikelephi Msimanga says: “I borrowed money from my Savings and Loans group to build this house. I am so thankful to God for bringing ACAT in my area”.

Khanyisile Zuma is a Community Volunteer in her area. She joined ACAT in 2014 because she was interested in vegetable production after attending workshops on business and sustainable agriculture practices. Now she grows crops and vegetables for her family and for sale. Her dream is to be a big supplier of vegetables. She saves R100 monthly and because of her improved situation, she was able to buy a Jojo tank through her Savings and Loans Group. Her work has had a positive impact on every one of her family.

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Okhahlamba


Elizabeth Dlamini of Mahlutshini zone joined the ACAT programme as a group member in 2009, to learn more about gardening skills and to improve her life. She has learned how to grow vegetables so successfully that she is able to help other group members by teaching them the same skills she acquired.

She grows big fields of maize, potatoes, pumpkins, beans, spinach, cabbage, and onions. This year she earned R800 from potato sales, R2000 from beans, and R900 from her vegetable produce.

Her financial situation has improved since she joined the programme and she has been able to buy household items from the sales of vegetable. Before joining the programme, she says she struggled in everything as she lacked business ideas and gardening skills.

Izingolweni/Mzumbe


Gabisile Chiliza from Dingimbiza zone runs a series of businesses. Besides the tuckshop, she has a baking business, raises and sells broilers, and grows vegetables and crops. When she joined the programme in 2015 her only intention was to grow vegetables to feed her family. However, as she matured with the programme, she attended all the CV courses at ACAT training centre. Through these courses she discovered her love for business as she gained information and exchanged ideas with other CVs. This successful business lady is so grateful to ACAT for introducing the concept of Savings and Loans Groups. She says the SLG really helped her to start her first business – and all her businesses were boosted by the loans she got through her group. She is also one of the beneficiaries of the fence and tanks initiative from ACAT through her SLG. Her latest idea is to begin selling sheep and goats in the area.

Isabel Dazela from Izingolweni, prepares her land for potato production. The land is a ¼ of a hectare in size and she plants it all by herself. She joined ACAT’s programme in 2017. She was inspired by seeing other group member’s food gardens. She says she had never planted anything before joining ACAT’s programme.

Thalente Mpisi from Mlozane zone at Izingolweni shows how to plant fruit trees. The G5 members listen carefully to his advice as he is one of the Community Volunteers in the area. Such activities are done continuously in the areas to help farmers understand farming through practical learning. Farmers enjoy such learning because they participate during the exercise.

Thalente also advises group members on how to care for their vegetable gardens. The other two G5 members are Mr Zulu and Mr Ngcobo, both from Nkulu zone at Izingolweni.

During an Asilimeni / Market Day group members display their different items for sale to the community. Items include vegetables, maize, sweet potatoes, amadumbe, beadwork, and small livestock like chickens and rabbits. Group members love this opportunity to market their produce and become known as successful farmers.

Thandi Sigwili is a Community Volunteer in Izingolweni. She started a small tuckshop business in her house where she also sells surplus from her vegetable garden. She grows vegetables all year round and her shop is always busy.

Thandi says:“I learned how to grow crops during drought conditions. This year drought hit our area hard, but my crops always look good. Other farmers in the area are crying for rainfall, but I am smiling because I apply the technologies and advice from ACAT’s Extension Co-ordinator (Wanda Zikalala)”.

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Nhlazuka


Nomakhaya Majuqulwane from Slahla zone, joined the ACAT programme in 2017. At that time she did not know how to plant. Now she has her own vegetable garden and has joined a savings group. She saves R50 monthly from what she gets from her vegetable produce sales. “I have overcome poverty, by planting and selling. I was a Christian, but when I went to ACAT centre I learned how to walk with God after receiving Jesus. ACAT has truly opened my eyes and mind. Now there is a big difference in my family. We are all unemployed, but we grow and sell seasonally, and we no longer go hungry”.

Zandile Ngcongo joined Makhuthale group in 2018 to get information to be able to grow vegetables properly. Now she grows cabbages, spinach, carrots, onions, potatoes, lettuce, and tomatoes. She says: “Life has changed at home because we no longer buy vegetables from town. My dream is to start a business that will help me become fully sustainable.”

When Nomusa Mzulwini joined the programme in 2018, she was impressed by the training she received. Before joining the programme, she did not know how to plant, but now she grows vegetables which feed her family. This is her first garden. She says: “I thank ACAT for changing my life”.

Ncamisile Mbambo is a new group member of Vukuzenzele from Mopelo zone. She came to ACAT and learned how to plant using sustainable practices. She now has a thriving vegetable garden which feeds her family and produces enough surplus for sale. People come in numbers to buy from her. She says: “If only I had known about ACAT’s programme earlier, I would now be far better off in my life.! I want to help my children understand that they can live off food from the soil, even if they are unemployed”.

Nkandla


Sebenzile Mdlalose of Mandaba area has taken over the responsibility of co-ordinating the ACAT programme in the far eastern part of Nkandla Magisterial District adjacent to Melmoth. Her strength is in training, which she has used well to train local G5s and to guide CVs in their activities. She teaches and encourages the G5s and CVs to learn from her garden, which has proved to be very successful. She is exemplary and always practises what she preaches.

Mrs Khokhile Shezi is a G5 entrepreneur. Here she displays her products with other G5 members on the pension day. She says: “We are generating income to increase our household budgets and we are experiencing the satisfaction of improving our quality of life”.

This Nkandla Market Day was attended by the entire community. Entrepreneurs who are G5 members had the opportunity to sell their products and produce.

Mr L Mlambo is a new G5 member who, in spite of the drought, managed to plant a few vegetables to feed his family.

Mrs Nelly Ntombela of Bambisanani. This group member makes bundles of grass mats as per order as well as individual grass mats for the customers who need one or two grass mats. She makes an average of R1200 per month.

All G5 members participated in all the activities at a Asilimeni Day in Nkandla – including deep trenching, tower gardening, and potato and spinach planting. The local municipality sponsored R1000, and a tent with 500 chairs, while the Department of Agriculture supplied farmers and G5 members with spinach and cabbage seeds.

Mrs B Khanyile of Siyazama G5 is a craftswoman who is skilled in making beautiful beadwork. She also makes grass mats, which are all sold locally. She is well known in her area and her customers come from nearby and surrounding areas. She makes an average of R450 per month.

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Impact of ACAT - ACAT KZN - ACAT is a faith-based ... · Nomsa Biyela of Madladlula zone, Ntumeni 1, joined the programme in 2015 because she felt that ACAT would be the right organisation