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Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase (right) accepts a proposal by the (OFP) with a view to marketing certified organic produce countrywide and overseas. With Thovhele Tshivhase is Mr Heinrich Schultz, Director of OFP.
Royal House of Tshivhase joins hands with OFP
News Date: 09 March 2007
The Royal House of Tshivhase has taken hands with the Organic Freedom Project (OFP) in order to market certified organic produce countrywide and overseas.
"It is our privilege to have this project come to our place. It will create jobs for people in the tea plantations, with the bananas and other produce. It will not be difficult for us to go organic, for Hans Schultz spoke to us and they will come and help us and teach us," said Mr Gilbert Tshikosi, spokesperson for Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase.
The Tshivhase Dynasty comprises a population of one million, with 126 chiefs under Thovhele Tshivhase. In their area are tourist attractions like Lake Fundudzi, the Sacred Forest, Thsatshingo potholes and the Phipidi Waterfalls.
The Tshivhase people are already exporting 35 000 plants to Arabia.
"We are looking forward to exporting organic teas overseas," said Mr Tshikosi. "We are in the process of taking the Phipidi and Makumbane Tea Estates back from the government."
The current owners of the tea plantations are the Rural Agricultural Development Company. Although the official handing back date is March 2008, they are working towards a much earlier date.
On Sunday, March 4, the OFP proposal was accepted by Thovhele Tshivhase and the project entails a seven-year contract with Pick ‘n Pay. Pick ‘n Pay, who is focused on the organic market sector, will buy their products, and exporting is also on the horizon.
"With this project, they have guaranteed market access, certification of products, technical advice and development of farmers. We also envision a vegetable project together with Thovhele Tshivhase," says Mr Heinrich Schultz, one of the Directors of the OFP.
A legal entity will be registered, consisting of the various stakeholders like the Tshivhase Trust and a trust is to be set up for farm workers
"We do not only present this opportunity to the Tshivhases. We are hosting a large OFP workshop in Levubu on March 20. All farmers of the area, including macadamia, banana, mango and avo farmers, are more than welcome," says Mr Schultz.
For further information, phone Heinrich at 083 287 2699 or Graeme at 084 402 5889.
Written by
Linda van der Westhuizen
Linda van der Westhuizen has been with Zoutnet since 2001. She has a heart for God, people and their stories. Linda believes that every person is unique and has a special story to tell. It follows logically that human interest stories is her speciality. Linda finds working with people and their leaders in the economic, educational, spiritual and political arena very rewarding. “I have a special interest in what God is doing in our town, province and nation and what He wants us to become,” says Linda.
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