ecologics – newsletter story

Mineworkers Development Agency Promotes Sustainable Development In South Africa Sun 25 Nov 07

At the Mhala Centre, the Mineworkers Development Agency trains workers in small scale farming activity so that they are able to feed themselves and their families.

The Mhala centre also owns oil presses and acts as a collection and extraction centre for oils from the local Marula nut, prevalent in the area and prized as an ingredient in cosmetic products. Local women collect the nuts from wild Marula trees and often the money they earn is the only source of income for these desperately poor families. The pressed oil is sold to cosmetics houses and brokers and the profits ploughed back into the business.

Alongside its other activities, the Mhala centre operates a retail store from which the community can purchase farming equipment, seeds and tools at competitive prices. For those who are unable to purchase larger farming machinery, Mhala operates a small scale hire scheme to ensure that theyhave access to farm machinery like tractors and ploughs. Ready access to machines and irrigation equipment allows for more expansive development than the traditional manual labour of African farming -- and therefore far greater opportunities to expand, grow and prosper.

At Mhala, the emphasis is on sustainability. Income-generating programmes provide not only much needed income, but also provide a teaching facility for retraining workers to a level where MIC financial assistance will allow them to start their own micro enterprises. The broiler unit is a good example of what skills and knowledge transfer can achieve. It combines not only an income for the Centre, but also protein-rich food at reasonable prices and a sustained income for a number of families

Because this interlocking series of small business activities is not totally self sustaining, the Mahala Centre applies its funding within its mandate, and in the process becomes a major force for change -- and hope -- in areas where hope was a fading thought.

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Home Newsletter Small-scale Mining Small-scale Irrigation Step Action Pump Gravity Concentrator Accessories Downloads Contact Us	ecologics – newsletter story Mineworkers Development Agency Promotes Sustainable Development In South Africa Sun 25 Nov 07 At the Mhala Centre, the Mineworkers Development Agency trains workers in small scale farming activity so that they are able to feed themselves and their families. The Mhala centre also owns oil presses and acts as a collection and extraction centre for oils from the local Marula nut, prevalent in the area and prized as an ingredient in cosmetic products. Local women collect the nuts from wild Marula trees and often the money they earn is the only source of income for these desperately poor families. The pressed oil is sold to cosmetics houses and brokers and the profits ploughed back into the business. Alongside its other activities, the Mhala centre operates a retail store from which the community can purchase farming equipment, seeds and tools at competitive prices. For those who are unable to purchase larger farming machinery, Mhala operates a small scale hire scheme to ensure that theyhave access to farm machinery like tractors and ploughs. Ready access to machines and irrigation equipment allows for more expansive development than the traditional manual labour of African farming -- and therefore far greater opportunities to expand, grow and prosper. At Mhala, the emphasis is on sustainability. Income-generating programmes provide not only much needed income, but also provide a teaching facility for retraining workers to a level where MIC financial assistance will allow them to start their own micro enterprises. The broiler unit is a good example of what skills and knowledge transfer can achieve. It combines not only an income for the Centre, but also protein-rich food at reasonable prices and a sustained income for a number of families Because this interlocking series of small business activities is not totally self sustaining, the Mahala Centre applies its funding within its mandate, and in the process becomes a major force for change -- and hope -- in areas where hope was a fading thought. << back to main newsletter page