By Anita Dangazele
- Zimasa Zakumba, 32, from outside Mthatha, spent three years looking for work in Cape Town but never found a job.
- Back home, Zakumba runs a small urban farm in Mthatha and earns about R5,000 a month, supporting seven family members.
Zimasa Zakumba, 32, from Makhaphetshwini village outside Mthatha, moved to Cape Town to look for work.
“I spent three years trying to find a job, but nothing worked out. It was very stressful,” she said.
With no work and no steady income, Zimasa made the hard choice to leave the city and return to the Eastern Cape.
Back home, she set up a small urban farming business in the Mthatha central business district. From her garden, she sells seedlings, carrots, spinach and potatoes.
The business is still small, but it has become the main source of income for Zimasa and her family. On a good month, she makes about R5,000.
That money covers her basic needs and supports seven family members who depend on her.
“For me, coming back home was the best decision because now I can support myself and my family,” she said.
“When I was in Cape Town not working, I was a burden on others,” Zimasa said.
She has also had to deal with problems that come with small-scale farming. The weather can be unpredictable and resources are limited.
But Zimasa has not given up. She wants to grow her business and hopes to one day supply local shops and vendors.
“I would really encourage anyone to come back home and see what they can do to survive,” she said. “It worked for me.”
Pictured above: Zimasa Zakumba’s fresh produce.
Image source: Supplied
