Importance of body conditioning
What is body conditioning and why is this so important to cattle farmers? Gerrit van Zyl, Hanzyl Bonsmara’s Breeder and Farmer, has the answers.
Commonwealth Scholarships 2023! – Forum for African Women Educationalists: FAWE
Opportunity!!! You are a citizen from the below listed countries! You want to register for a Masters or PHD degree! This opportunity is for you.
Check the eligibility criteria following the links below (also see leaflet for more information):
https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/…https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-phd-scholarships-for-least-developed-countries-and-fragile-states/
A new tool to empower African girls against violence – Forum for African Women Educationalists: FAWE
By Julie Khamati, Programme Assistant
Understanding contextual differences in African countries is key for preventing and addressing SRGBV in education institutions. Recently, FAWE developed a mirrored approach manual in response to a global call to prevent, respond and adopt mechanisms to stop SRGBV.
The manual draws strongly from best practices documented under FAWE models, including the Gender Responsive Pedagogy and Tuseme. Given FAWE’s understanding of the African context, the manual recommends solutions and preventive measures relevant to the context.
Read more here
Photo credits: GPE/Stephan Bachenheimer
Rukiya Othman Hassan – Forum for African Women Educationalists: FAWE
I got a pass when I completed my ordinary level education from Zanzibar Commercial Secondary school. This enabled me to join the Microteach Institute of Business and technology where I learnt about Procurement and Supply. I was awarded a Certificate and Diploma. Later, after hearing about the Sustained business start – ups through enhanced female youth employable skills project by FAWE and Norad, I enrolled in order to gain skills in seaweed farming. We were taught seaweed farming and processing, swimming and entrepreneurship skills on how to deal with customers and designing business plans. Additionally, I also learnt basic computer skills such as using Microsoft word and Excel.
Together with my team, we were taught how to produce different seaweed products like scrub, jelly, Soap, Shampoo and pack them by the Paje Kikundi Cha Furahia Wanawake group. These skills have seen us make good sales from the seaweed products.
Ange Clarisse Gusenga – Forum for African Women Educationalists: FAWE
My name is Ange Clarisse Gusenga and I am one of the Scholar Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) grantees. The SEF program is a partnership between FAWE and Mastercard Foundation. I am passionate about improving people’s lives and physical wellbeing through producing healthy nutritious food from raw soybeans. As the Founder and Managing Director of PROOF MADE LTD, I process raw soybeans into different finished products such as soya biscuits, soya milk and tofu. Those products are selling in the market and are known by the brand name VENDO.
I have previously featured in Resolution Project, a worldwide Mastercard Foundation competition in which I made it to the top 10 finalists. I won a social venture challenge competition, which includes $5000 in grant, lifelong fellowship, mentorship and training access. With this grant, I am planning to expand my business by buying new and robust machines.
Nardos Shewadeg – Forum for African Women Educationalists: FAWE
My name is Nardos Shewadeg, I am 19 years old. I was born in Addis Ababa around kolfe Keranio. I have two brothers and one sister. I lived with both of my parents until March 2021 when my father passed away because of diabetes. This was heart breaking moment in my life because I looked up to my father. I respected him, loved him, and aspired to be like him. My father was an English teacher and has taught in many schools in Addis Ababa. My mother worked as a civil servant.
I completed my kindergarten and pre-primary education at Mekan Eyesus primary school, and my middle school education in Soramba School. For the years I was at Soramba School I worked hard, and I scored 99.9% in my grade 8 ministry exam. This was a great moment for me and my family. As a result, I received an award and a certificate from Addis Ababa city Education bureau.
I also got a life-changing opportunity to be a Mastercard Scholar through the FAWE Ethiopia chapter. I met the required criteria of academic excellence in grade 7 & 8, leadership and I was also from an economically challenged family. With the gift of a scholarship, I proceeded to Bashewan School to pursue my secondary education.
During my time at Bashewam school, FAWE-Ethiopia Chapter provided me with all the necessary scholastic materials to support my education i.e., tuition fees, a monthly stipend, uniforms, stationary among others. I also got additional trainings including English classes to improve my language proficiency, life skills, entrepreneurship, ICT as well as extra tutoring for various subjects throughout the five years of my high school studies. In grade eleven I was awarded with a smart phone and a certificate for excellent performance in grade 10 national exams. These awards motivated me to work even harder.
When the COVID-19 pandemic started all in-person schooling was suspended, we were provided with self-protection kits, and airtime to enable us to continue with remote learning.
At the 3rd cohort graduation ceremony, which was held at Dbreziet, three scholars were rewarded with laptops for excellent performance. I was fortunate to be one of the scholars rewarded as I score 616 out of 700 points. As I join university, the laptop will be extremely useful in my studies. Currently, I am student at the Addis Ababa University faculty of natural science where I hope to eventually pursue a medical degree.
I have received a great gift of access to an excellent education from Mastercard Foundation and FAWE-Ethiopia. My goal is to complete my studies, become a doctor and give back to my community. The opportunity has molded me and equipped me with relevant skills that enables me to become a great member of the community and a leader.
Shining a light on effective small-scale production – African Farming
Lesedi Masebe was living abroad, building her career as a chef working in Australia and New Zealand when her mother’s ill health forced her to return home to help run the family farm. That was six years ago. Today Lesedi runs a business that supplies a variety of fresh produce to the formal and informal sectors. She spoke to Peter Mashala about how her relation ship with food has gone from preparation to production.
Tshidi Masebe, Lesedi’s mother, established Masebe Farming in 2008 on Rietspruit farm in the Vaal area outside Sebo keng. Today the business produces a variety of vege tables such as peppers, spinach, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, and various herbs on 20ha.
Masebe Farming supplies retailers through food companies, such as Fresh Link and Harvest Fresh. “We also market to informal traders who buy spinach and potatoes from the farm,” says Lesedi. There is a further 50ha of yellow maize and Lesedi is in the process of building an intensive livestock operation.
Born in Mohlakeng in the Vaal area, Lesedi moved to Johannesburg with her parents, Tshidi and Pheko, while she was still a small child. “We moved to Midrand, where I did all my schooling. My mom worked at Woolworths as a food manager, and later as a store manager, before she left to start her own business,” explains Lesedi.
Tshidi had to visit farms as part of her job at Woolworths and it was on these farm visits that her passion for farming began. She decided to leave her job and farm fulltime. She started by recruiting women farmers in the Vaal to join the Lerothodi cooperative. By chance she saw a newspaper ad of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform offering farms to deserving applicants. She applied and was allocated Rietspruit farm. The 100ha farm had no infrastructure other than a small piggery and a dilapidated house.
A CALL FROM HOME
Lesedi describes her mom as working tirelessly over the years to rebuild the farm. “It took her more than 10 years to get the farm from where it was to a profitable operation.” She says her mother invested a lot of money in renovating buildings, refurbishing existing boreholes and stocking the piggery. She also set up an operation growing field vegetables to supply the Joburg Market.
While all this was happening, Lesedi was completing her culinary studies at Sandton’s International Hotel School. Presented with an opportunity to do her practical stint abroad, Lesedi grabbed it with both hands.
“International recruiters came to the school to talk to us about working abroad. I was lucky enough to be accepted for training in Australia, where I worked first for the Hilton Hotels and then for the Hermitage hotels.”
Later, Lesedi moved to New Zealand, where she worked for a few smaller hotels and restaurants. In 2016 Lesedi got a call from her mother, who was experiencing some health issues, summoning her home. “My mother’s health was not good and she told me she needed me back in the country to help her run the business. I wasn’t too happy about her request at first, but because it involved her health, I felt I had no choice but to return home.”
CHANGE OF DIRECTION
Once she was on the farm, her relationship with food changed and progressed from preparing food to producing it. “I still work with food but in a different way, starting at the beginning where it’s produced,” she says. Lesedi had to learn the farm operations quickly, from production to the financial side of things – no easy task!
“I didn’t struggle that much with the books because I have always been good with maths and numbers. And then over time, I fell in love with farming and its challenges. Farming is a very difficult industry and can humble even a tough cookie like me. If it’s not a tractor that is broken, it’s seeds that don’t germinate or broken pumps when you need to irrigate.” She says the business of farming can be exciting and yet frustrating at the same time.
CASH HELPS TO INCREASE CAPACITY
In 2017 Lesedi and Tshidi decided to shut down the piggery and focus on crop production. “Things were getting really expensive, especially the feed, and the price of pork was dropping,” she explains.
While they were busy with their expansion plans and looking for a funder, Tshidi came across information about the Coca-Cola Beverages Company South Africa’s (CCBSA) Mintirho Foundation. This foundation exists to promote the development of historically disadvantaged farmers and small suppliers of inputs to the CCBSA value chain by funding sustainable black-owned agri-businesses.
Their application was successful and the Masebes received a much-needed cash injection that revolutionised their operation.
“We erected tunnels and built shade net houses so that we could grow some of our vegetables under cover; we bought equipment and machinery and developed infrastructure by building storage facilities and dams.” The money from Mintirho came with the added benefits of mentorship and expertise from a qualified agronomist. “This means we can now afford to have a full-time agronomist on the farm,” Lesedi says.
Covid-19 dealt some major blows to their business and to their personal lives. The death of Lesedi’s dad was a huge and painful loss to Tshidi, who stepped back from the business to deal with her grief. It meant that Lesedi had to step up and take over. “My mom is still trying to deal with losing my dad. This has left me running the place,” she says. Dealing with the challenges of doing business during the pandemic forced her to streamline the operation, which she describes as a positive learning experience.
“Rather than just producing large volumes, we worked more towards sustainability. To survive the pandemic, we had to focus on quality to improve our competitive edge.”
They also built a stable workforce – a team that understands the vision of the business. Prior to this their biggest challenge was the high staff turnover, mainly of young people.
“We had a big absenteeism problem, especially at month end. Because our workers were young and mostly come to work on farms as a last resort. Whenever there is an opportunity to go work in the city or town, even for a lower salary, they will take it.” Having to lay off staff gave them an opportunity to keep the right people on board.
GREEN PRODUCTION
Lesedi says they produce high-value vegetables, such as broccoli, baby marrows, green beans, lettuce and peppers. Spinach is their main crop grown under cover. “We are semi-organic and try by all means to use fewer chemicals in growing our vegetables,” she explains. Other crops include tomatoes, radish, kale, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce and herbs such as lavender, rosemary and coriander.
They also have a worm farm where they produce compost. “We buy some of our products from a company called Hya Matla Organics, which specialises in organic fertiliser. But because organic products are
expensive, we also practice companion planting to minimise the use of chemicals.”
Companion planting involves the close planting of different crops that enhance each other’s growth and help with pest control and pollination. Companion planting provides habitat for beneficial insects and maximises the use of space, increasing crop productivity.
Weed blocks control weeds in the tunnels and shade net houses. The weed blocks do away with the need for chemical weed killers and reduce dependence on labour. “We grow our own seedlings and use the compost from the worm farm as part of our growth medium,” says Lesedi.
They also grow amaranth (thepe, also known as pigweed), which they found on the farm as an indigenous crop. “We have incorporated it and use it as a companion crop in the field. Amaranth is a popular crop with the informal market,” she says.
Masebe Farming is working towards attaining global GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification to help open up their market options and tap into exports.
MAIZE, SHEEP AND CHICKENS
Lesedi says they are currently getting ready for the maize season and land preparation is underway. The Vaal area had good rains the past rainy season and the soil moisture is good enough for land prep to begin. She adds that the Vaal area starts getting good rains late in the year, which give them an advantage if they make an early start.
“We use our own implements except for the harvesters. We are part of the Agri-park and there is a harvester that was supplied to the grain farmers in my area by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development,” explains Lesedi.
Although the operation is semi-organic in vegetable production, the maize section is fully conventional. Land prep includes ripping, ploughing and disking before planting.
There are plans to bring more animals into the sheep and goat flocks, which are running at 20 animals. They have also bought in free-range-range chickens. “We are currently raising our parent stock and are looking at buying incubators to hatch the fertile eggs.”
This is part of their diversification strategy. “Just because our farm is small, doesn’t mean we can’t increase its production potential and profitability,” concludes Lesedi.
Up close and personal with Lesedi Masebe – African Farming
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Don’t just follow your passion without direction – do what you find fulfils your dreams.
IF THERE WAS ONE THING YOU COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY, WHAT WOULD IT HAVE BEEN?
I would have started a lot sooner, even if that had meant not going overseas. I look back now and I think going abroad would not have made any difference.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST SUCCESS TO DATE?
Being able to create employment for young people in the community.
WHO HAS MADE THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR SUCCESS?
My mother and the Coca-Cola Mintirho Foundation who provided the much-needed cash injection at the time we needed it.
WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP DO YOU HAVE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURING FARMERS AND WHAT ROLE HAVE THEY PLAYED IN YOUR SUCCESS?
We have a beautiful relationship, and they play a very supportive and protective role for me and my mom.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR FINANCING?
Although my mom struggled in the beginning, I was fortunate because, when I arrived, we managed to get funding from the Mintirho Foundation. My advice to farmers is to search for alternative sources of finance, like foundations and corporate programmes. Don’t look only at the mainstream financiers.
WHAT ROLE HAVE INPUT SUPPLIERS, SUCH AS SEED AND CHEMICAL COMPANIES, PLAYED IN THE BUSINESS?
They play a major role in terms of technical advice and services that we may otherwise have had to pay for in consultants fees.
IF THERE WAS A SINGLE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Come up with a strategy to support the youth; and come up with tailored support programmes that include training, funding and access to land.
Subcutaneous injections: What you need to know
Siyanda Mabaso, Afrivet Learnership Manager, tells us everything we need to know about subcutaneous injections in another informative episode of African Farming Digital.
5 Taxes business owners should know about — Lionesses of Africa
by Ronel Jooste, CA(SA), Business & Financial Consultant, Speaker and Author of the award-winning book ‘Financially Fit and Wealthy’
For many business owners, the concept of tax and complying with tax rules and regulations can be daunting. Tax compliance however plays a vital role in the success and growth of your business. When you apply for funding, banks and funding houses require a tax compliance certificate. Many bigger organisations that you want to do business with, require a tax compliance certificate. Most tender or business proposal processes require a tax compliance certificate. As business owner you limit your opportunities if you are not submitting your returns and paying your taxes when required. Also remember that SARS keeps you as business owner responsible. Arguing ignorance or blaming your accountant will not set you free as far as SARS is concerned.
Here are 5 taxes that every business owner should know about:
1. Personal income tax
Income tax is paid on your taxable income in your individual capacity. Your taxable income will be calculated by including your personal income – salary (as per your IRP5), commission earned, income from a business if you are a sole proprietor, rental income from properties that you rent out, investment income (also interest on bank accounts), annuity income (like a pension) and capital gains (on investments or investment properties that you sold). You are also allowed certain deductions limited to amounts determined by SARS – contributions to pension funds or retirement annuities, medical aid contributions and expenses, donations to approved section18A organisations (public benefit organisations), valid expenses from a business if you are a sole proprietor and related rental expenses for your rental property. The tax payable will be calculated on your taxable income (income less the allowable deductions) based on the tax tables.
If you earn more than the annual threshold – R91,250 for the year starting 1 March 2022 and ending 28 February 2023 (the limit changes every tax year) – you are liable to pay tax and you should register as a taxpayer. Taxpayers should submit their annual tax returns, referred to as the ITR12 tax form, during tax season which usually opens between July and November each year. If you are doing business as a registered company and pay corporate income tax (business tax), you still need to submit your personal income tax return and pay personal income tax.
2. Corporate Income Tax (CIT) / Companies tax
If you own a company that is incorporated in South Africa (thus a South African resident company) or effectively managed in South Africa, corporate income tax / companies’ tax will be applicable. This applies to private companies, listed / unlisted public companies, close corporations (CC’s), co-operatives, dormant companies and small business corporations qualifying under s12E. If you run your business as a sole proprietor, corporate income tax will not apply, as you will include your business income in your personal income tax return.
When your company earns more than R1,000 gross income or had assets or liabilities exceeding R1,000 during the tax year, the company should submit an annual tax return. The corporate tax rate reduced from 28% to 27% on 1 April 2022. The tax paid will be calculated based on your business income less allowable business expenses. Although most companies are automatically registered with SARS as a taxpayer when the company is registered on CIPC, it is still required to register on e-filing to submit company returns and pay taxes.
3. Provisional tax
Provisional tax is not a separate tax from income tax and can apply to both individuals / sole proprietors and companies. It is a method of paying the income tax liability in advance, to assist the taxpayer with cash flow and to avoid large tax payments becoming due at the end of the year. Provisional tax returns are referred to as IRP6.
Provisional tax will apply:
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When you are an individual / natural person who earns income other than remuneration. Remuneration refers to earning a salary or commission from an employer, which will typically be included on your IRP5. Other income will include business income (sole proprietor), investment income (exceeding the exemption limits) and rental income. Therefore, salaried employees usually don’t qualify for provisional tax. However sole proprietors will most likely qualify and must register as a provisional taxpayer.
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To all companies.
How is provisional tax calculated and when is it due?
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First period – 50% of the total tax estimated for the full year less any employee’s tax paid during the first 6 months. Submit the 1st provisional tax return within six months from the beginning of the year of assessment. For individuals or companies with a February year-end, this will be in August.
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Second payment – 100% of the total tax estimated for the full year less any employee’s tax paid during the full year less the 1st provisional tax payment made. Submit the 2nd provisional tax return on or before the last day of the year of assessment. For individuals or companies with a February year-end, this will be in February.
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Third period – The 3rd payment is voluntary and only applies when there were differences between the estimated tax and the actual tax. The calculation will be based on 100% of the total tax estimated for the full year less any employee’s tax paid during the full year less the 1st provisional tax payment made and less the 2nd provisional tax payment made. The 3rd submission is due seven months after the year of assessment for individuals or companies with February year-end (i.e. September) and six months after year of assessment for all other cases (i.e. August).
4. Value-Added Tax (VAT)
We are familiar with VAT as we pay VAT on many products (goods) and services that we use daily. VAT is an indirect tax that is raised on the consumption of goods and services within the economy. VAT registered entities are required to charge VAT on the goods and services they produce / provide. VAT registered entities are also allowed to deduct the VAT that they have paid for goods and services used by them from the VAT they have charged.
An entity registered for VAT is required to pay the difference between the VAT charged by it (VAT received) and the VAT charged to it (VAT paid); or claim a VAT refund where the VAT charged to it (VAT paid) exceeds the VAT charged by it (VAT received). The standard rate of VAT is 15% (previously 14%), although for certain goods and services a zero VAT rate will apply or can be exempted from VAT.
Any person who performs business activities may qualify to register for VAT. This will apply to individuals (sole proprietors), partnerships and companies. It is compulsory to register for VAT if the value of taxable supplies (basically turnover), exceeds R1 million in any consecutive twelve-month period. Voluntarily registration is possible if the value of taxable supplies (basically turnover), is not more than R1 million in any consecutive twelve-month period. VAT registered individuals or businesses are referred to as VAT vendors. VAT returns should be submitted and payments made / refunds claimed on or before the 25th day or the last business day of the month following the month in which the vendor’s tax period (a tax period of monthly, every 2nd month or every 6th month will be allocated) ends.
5. Pay-as-you-earn (PAYE)
An employer should deduct employees’ tax from an employee’s remuneration (salary) paid or payable. The process of deducting or withholding tax from remuneration as it is earned by an employee is referred to as Pay-as-you-earn (PAYE). An employer who is registered or required to register with SARS for PAYE and/or Skills Development Levy (SDL) purposes, is also required to register with SARS for the payment of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) contributions to SARS.
When you pay yourself a salary from your business or you appoint employees, you should thus register as an employer and PAYE will become applicable, unless the remuneration doesn’t exceed the annual tax threshold (i.e. none of the employees are liable for personal income tax). The amounts deducted or withheld must be paid by the employer to SARS monthly within seven days after the end of the month during which the amount was deducted. The Monthly Employer Return (EMP201) should also then be submitted.
These are the 5 taxes that will / might apply to most business owners. It is important to understand these taxes and to comply with the tax rules and regulations. Tax compliance will be achieved by submitting returns and make payments before the due dates. Not submitting returns timeously, late payments, non-payments, under-estimation of taxable income or non-declaring of income will result in penalties and interest charges, which is a waste of your hard-earned money. Rather comply and pay your taxes when due. Nobody likes to pay tax but paying tax is actually an indication that your business is profitable and performs well.
To educate yourself about finances here are links to subscribe for free to the Ronel Jooste FinanciallyFitLife YouTube channel or download free financial tools: