By Anita Dangazele
- Solomzi Madyini, 26, from Upper Dadamba village started planting vegetables in December 2023 after years without work to support himself.
- Solomzi Madyini now sells potatoes and spinach after his cabbage crop failed, promoting his business on Facebook to get customers.
Solomzi Madyini from Upper Dadamba village was unemployed for years. He needed to find a way to survive.
In December 2023, the 26-year-old decided to make money the old-fashioned way. He bought a few cabbage and spinach seedlings and planted them at home.
“I was unemployed for quite some time and I needed to find a way to survive,” he said. “I grew up seeing people growing their own vegetables and I thought I could sell them in the village.”
His cabbages did not grow well. But Solomzi did not give up. He tried again with potatoes.
“To my surprise, my potatoes grew extremely well,” he said. “I now package and sell them. People place orders and I deliver. Some come to my home to buy.”
Solomzi now also grows spinach. He sells it from a stand in town. He uses public transport to carry his goods.
“I can take 60 to 70 bundles of spinach into town, but for potatoes, people must either collect them or arrange for delivery,” he said.
He promotes his business on Facebook. He is able to support himself and his family with the money he makes. He sells a 10kg bag of potatoes for R70.
Solomzi has one message for other young people.
“Jobs are hard to find. Use what you have,” he said. “It’s not easy, but farming can work if you stick with it.”
Pictured above: Solomzi Madyini who grows and sells potatoes for a living.
Image source: Supplied
