Young Entrepreneurs Sow Success in Community Enterprise Fund Learnership

By: Khanyisile Khumalo

Learners enrolled in the Community Enterprise Fund Learnership have reported a major milestone: they have sold out their entire harvest of cabbages, peri-peri chilli and okra. The programme, which combines agricultural training with business skills, aims to teach unemployed youth how to plant, manage and market their own produce.

Programme facilitator Mrs Nkosingiphile Nkosi emphasised the initiative’s broader vision: “The goal is not only to grow food but to grow entrepreneurs.”

Learners described the transformative effect of the programme. Happiness, 29, said “I never imagined myself as a farmer. I didn’t think I would ever wear a uniform and feed my community.” She shared her pride at her first sale: “When the first customer paid me R10 for a cabbage I had grown myself, I felt like a real businesswoman.”

Prado, 26, explained how the learnership had changed his understanding of farming. “I didn’t know farming involved so much maths before joining the programme. Now, we calculate profit margins, not just plant pods.”

Kgomotso, 25, was surprised by the community's positive response: “I didn’t believe people would return for more.” She added, “A local spaza shop owner now calls me every Friday asking me to bring chilli.”

Community members have also praised the programme’s impact. Gogo Bathabiye Mashego noted, “The vegetables are fresher and cheaper than supermarket stock and I’m proud of the children for feeding the community.”

Mrs Nkosi explained that learners receive a monthly stipend and share in the profits from each market day after costs are covered. She stated, “The group has already begun preparing seedlings for their second planting cycle and plans to double production.”

The Community Enterprise Fund Learnership is funded through South Africa’s SETA system, providing free skills training to tackle youth unemployment and grow the next generation of agri-entrepreneurs.