CHICKENS bring hope to the centre.
They change people's lives.
The Mine Workers Development Agency (MDA) in Marikana, in North West, is proud of the egg layers and growing the project.
Luthando Brukwe, the head of strategy and special projects at Mine Workers Development Agency, said they are working in collaboration with government and the private sector.
"Unfortunately, the triple challenges of South Africa, poverty, inequality, and unemployment are not only a government problem but a societal problem. We work with government and partners in the mining sector to ensure greater impact and change people's lives," said Brukwe.
The agency has converted former Sibanye offices into an agricultural hub.
Brukwe said the centre produces eggs and boasts 2 000 egg layers.
"This is a special breed that can withstand Marikana heat. It produces a maximun two eggs a day and 360 eggs a year. We have been running this project since July 2022. It produces about 74 000 eggs a month and 800 000 eggs per year," he said.
He said they sell eggs to spaza shops and other parts of Gauteng.
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"Thanks to the success of the chicken project, we have built another structure that takes 5 000 egg layers. It's expected to start working in July this year.
"Chickens are sensitive. They live on a strict diet, including vaccination on a monthly basis," he said.
Brukwe further said chickens are sensitive to noise and have curtains on the side for sufficient ventilation.
"What is also important is biosecurity because the disease that attacks layers is airborne and transferred through clothes. Our participants should not have chickens at their homes. We check our chickens on a regular basis."
Meanwhile, he said in other projects, they believe in pure honey, which is not heated and mixed.
He said they work with 720 beekeepers in the country and support them with 7 200 beehives.
"We buy 100% honey from our farmers. We pay R85 per kilogram of honey produced and transport it to our processing plant in Germiston, Ekurhuleni. We bottle and pack it," he said.
He further said they started working in Marikana in July 2022.
The MDA was formed in 1987 by the National Union of Mineworkers after loss of income of former mineworkers.
He said they don't keep bees at the centre but have beekeepers around South Africa.
Beneficiary, Nandipha Zindlovu, said: "We feel great and it's playing a huge role in the community. It reduces unemployment and crime."
Another beneficiary, Luntu Zide, said: "I'm grateful and getting experience working here. They trained me as a security guard. I have a first aid certificate, do plumbing, gardening, and we work as a team."
