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Jacob Magoro(26) and Engenas Mamabolo (27) from Mentz, Ga Shiloane, Limpopo, South Africa, have established a farming project called Forever Green in 2020. This after they had noticed the unabated rising of the unemployment rate in the country of which the most affected is the youth. “We started by farming spinach and as time went by, we added tomatoes beetroots and cabbage and the project grew, The University of Limpopo started sending 3rd year students that were doing Agricultural Economics and Animal Production to our farm to do practical studies” Jacob Magoro(26) and Engenas Mamabolo (27) from Mentz, Ga Shiloane, Limpopo, South Africa, have established a farming project called Forever Green in 2020. This after they had noticed the unabated rising of the unemployment rate in the country of which the most affected is the youth. They cited the outbreak of Covid-19 as another aspect that worsened things for them to get job opportunities since companies were retrenching and many people were losing their jobs. That is when they decided to create job opportunities instead of looking for them by starting this beautiful farming project. Both Engenas and Jacob hold the National Diploma in plant production which they obtained from Dzunde Farming Corporate which was under Agri-SITA. The duo is using the backyard that belongs to Jacob’s grandmother which is about 0,235 hectors. “We started by farming spinach and as time went by, we added tomatoes beetroots and cabbage and the project grew, The University of Limpopo started sending 3rd year students that were doing Agricultural Economics and Animal Production to our farm to do practical studies,” Jacob said. Late last year Magoro was awarded the Best Farmer of the year Certificate at the Limpopo SMME’s Awards held at the University of Limpopo. They sell their fresh vegetables to individuals, local pre-schools, and local events such as weddings and funerals. At times when the demand exceeds supply they are propelled to hire seasonal workers to assist during harvesting and distributing times. Just like any other business, Forever Green is not immune to challenges. Jacob said that “Finance is a serious problem since we do not have sponsors or funding. We used stipends that we got from AGRI-SITA to start this project and to sustain it. At times we are unable to afford Pesticides”. The pair highlighted that lack of water negatively affects their plants. They rely on water which is supplied by the municipal trucks which is not enough for irrigating crops on a regular basis. Jacob said that “The municipal truck comes once or twice in a week and each household is only allowed to come with two 210 drums and inconsistent water supply leads to crop damage.”

Two Tavern owners team up to provide longevity and sustenance of a Masters Soccer league, which started as a tournament for three teams. “The league started growing and attracted more youth to the extent that they would even fake their age so they could also play in the masters’ league. We felt the need to start a league for them as well with Japhter as the sole sponsor.” Two Tavern owners team up to provide longevity and sustenance of a Masters Soccer league, which started as a tournament for three teams. After the tournament attracted more teams, Japhter Motsepe saw the need to start pumping in some money to ensure the smooth running of the league. Warrick Malatjie from Ga- Kama, Turfloop, Polokwane, joined four seasons later and the games started rotating weekly. The league is now playing in its fifth season, and it consists of 10 teams from Turfloop and Segoreng in Mentz. A Committee and additional members were appointed for the administration of the league. After being approached by Mentz youth to establish another league that would suit them, Japhter Motsepe did not hesitate to have it kick-started and the games play on Saturdays while the Masters play on Sundays. The league is prolonged by playing each team four legs every season unlike professional soccer leagues, which play two legs. This is to avoid a long break before another season resumes, eventually leaving participants in boredom while waiting for another season. The league’s Media Liaisons Officer Tshepo Magoele affectionately known as King Sapa, said that they started the league on the basis that men over 30 years of age were considered old to participate in Soccer tournaments for boys younger than the said age. As a result, they started this league to accommodate them. Magoele cited that consistent participation in the league spares them from contracting diseases such as high blood, and diabetes and helps them to keep fit. He highlighted that the league has contributed to the reduction of extravagant expenditure on alcohol and alcohol consumption from the players. “The league started growing and attracted more youth to the extent that they would even fake their age so they could also play in the masters’ league. We felt the need to start a league for them as well with Japhter as the sole sponsor”’ Magoele said. Teams in these two leagues battle it out for trophies, Soccer kits, as well as awards for individuals such as top goal Scorer, Player of the season, and best referee. “It is in the current season that we are now having a Q-innovation system for all the four quarters of the leagues”, said Magoele. The leagues’ weekly updates are found on King Sapa’s Facebook page.