11 Oct 2016

Fishing business under the Poverty Eradication Programme is doing well in Bobonong.

This was said by both beneficiaries and wildlife officials in an interview recently.

One of the beneficiaries who joined the programme in March 2016 Ms Agisanang Norman said the fishing business at Thune Dam had benefited her a lot because her life had changed drastically since then.

She said that with the profits she was able to support her family financially by paying school fees and buying school uniforms for her children as well as buying groceries for the household.

Ms Norman mentioned that the programme helped her as she managed to renovate her house after it was destroyed by heavy winds last year and also managed to connect electricity for herself as well as buying other equipment necessary for her business.

Ms Norman mentioned that she was inspired by various factors to join the programme such as extreme poverty which forced her to take action to stop it.

She said that the training prior to setting up the business inspired her to take up the fishing business saying that there were only a few of them who had ventured into fishing.

Ms Norman also said that her desire and hunger to learn new things all the time also drew the inspiration.

Although she was happy with the business, there were some challenges, such as fluctuation of the market.

Another challenge she said was that during summer season, there was high competition among fishermen while the demand for fish was low making it difficult for her to gain more profits.

Also in winter fish yield was low as fish sought  warmth in deep water levels where those who catch could not reach them.

She called for the provision of the fish market for beneficiaries under this programme as it was  difficult for them to access market.

Another beneficiary Mr Daniel Sekgwama who was the very first person to join the fishing programme in 2013 had accolades for the programme.

He said with profits from this business, he was able to pay school fees for his children, provide for his family and was able to buy a car to run the business.

He also said he managed to pay bride price with the profits from his business.

He also noted some setbacks the business faced such as poachers at the dam, something he said has negative consequences to his business.

For his part senior wildlife warden in Bobonong Mr Michael Metsimabe said the programme had helped the beneficiaries to sustain their lives and earn a better living.

He said there were seven fishing business beneficiaries in Bobonong constituency at Thune dam under the Poverty Eradication Programme.

The beneficiaries have been provided with a free fishing licence valid for three years, he said.

The department he said monitors business progression on monthly basis and they demand a full report from beneficiaries to measure success. ENDS