05 Apr 2018

 A wow moment beckons as one arrives at Machola farm in Ramokgwebana greeted by tall figures of sorghum that sit on a six hectare piece of land. This type of sorghum is called lebelebele (millet) in Setswana.

It is a calming view that captivates one’s mind and soul because of the formation that could be deemed as a piece of art.

Time immemorial, Bakalaka are known to be staunch farmers of lebelebele but as times evolved many abandoned it because unlike other crops it takes longer to ripe, six months to be precise.

As for the Macholas endurance is a quality they possess as they still hold unto the culture of farming the traditional “zengwe” with the six months ripe cycle. Zengwe is lebelebele in Sekalaka.

Following their retirement the couple took it upon themselves to go back to their roots and follow their passion of being farmers.

For the past six ploughing seasons, the duo has adopted a culture of migrating to the farm from December until May to babysit their lebelebele.

While people spend their festive season in towns and villages engaging in festivities the Macholas have created themselves a Christmas with a different tone spending it at the farm to the sweet melodies of birds.

Ms Ellen Machola and Mr Fidelis Machola said they both come from a farming background where their parents taught them all the tricks.

Ms Machola stated that because of their upbringing they learnt to embrace farming at a young age and have always known that upon retiring from their white color jobs they would go back to farming.

She indicated that upon their retirement they acquired a tractor with a disc harrow, plougher and planter which they also use to plough for other people through the ISPAAD programme.

Ms Machola stated that their normal day at the farm starts at six in the morning where together with her husband they scatter around the farm to chase away birds up until seven o’clock in the evening.

“Farming for us is a passion we do it professionally according to the best standards of agriculture hence we plough, harrow, weeding and stay at the farm until we yield,” she noted.

She stated that they would start harvesting the crops in May by using the traditional way of engaging personnel on the fields to cut the cobs.

Ms Machola said ever since they started farming in 2012 they reap over 50 bags of lebelebele per year.

She highlighted that they found a market from people who enjoy the traditional lebelebele and subsequently became loyal customers.

“We have our own loyal customers who love our traditional zengwe because it is the most palatable and tasty and they always look forward to our harvest.”

As for Mr Machola, the birds trouble them by eating the crops hence took a decision to employ two helpers to assist them in chasing away the birds.

He highlighted that they had devised strategies to scare the birds by burning cow dung around the farm.

“The cow dung mechanism really works because ever since we started burning it birds don’t come here. We also use traditional ways like seme and seragantshwane.”

Mr Machola said spending their day at the farm is therapeutic for them because their farm offers much tranquil with its natural ambience and calmness.

He further highlighted that they both treat the farm as their exercise grounds because they cover an eight hectare circumference every day, noting that many farmers fail to reap rewards of farming because of lack of commitment in monitoring and taking care of their farms.

The former educationalist stated that during his days as an employee of the then Ministry of Education together with his wife they visited the Minister of Agricultural and Food Development, Mr Patrick Ralotsia at his farm in Mmathethe area where they drew inspiration from how his farm was well managed and attractive.

Mr Machola highlighted that they were grateful for government’s assistance through ISPAAD for giving them free herbicides and agricultural assistants who visit their farm periodically.

He further indicated that this year, they would like to attend the agricultural national show to showcase their yield and draw lessons from other farmers.

Probed on their secret to staying positive despite the unreliable rainfall and harsh weather conditions they responded.

“We survive by God’s grace every year when the Department of Meteorological Services release predictions of possible heat wave, we speak faith and say it’s going to be a cool wave for us and indeed our crops never burn from the sun.” ENDS