Exciting news for two remote farming communities near Phalaborwa!

Limpopo, South Africa (07 April 2026) – The African Conservation Trust (ACT) has helped install a cold room and solar power system at Gingirikani and Rixaka cooperatives in Phalakubeni village. This is a game-changer for local food growers to keep veggies fresh, reduce waste, and open doors to bigger markets.

Before the new cold room, farmers had to sell their vegetables on the very same day they picked them, because in the scorching summer heat, produce spoiled within hours. Now, they can harvest over several days and keep everything fresh until they have enough to make a big trip to market.

“We took our harvest to the market three times a week, and now we store it until we get enough produce. We don’t have waste or rotten stuff, and it’s improved our daily life.” says Vincent Mabunda, Coordinator at Gingirikani Cooperative.

At Gingirikani cooperative, a large insulated cold room was fitted inside a 6-metre shipping container, powered by a 6kW solar system. At Rixaka cooperative, a solar-powered borehole pump and drip irrigation system were installed. Together, the two cooperatives now farm five hectares of land with a full crop plan, growing seasonal veggies in large quantities.

The cooperatives are located near the Kruger National Park, quite far from big city markets. To bridge this gap, a refrigerated vehicle is being provided to transport crops, allowing farmers from both cooperatives to fill any weekly vegetable order and sell their fresh produce all the way to Johannesburg!

Making this happen took a team effort from several organisations, including ACT, Kruger to Canyons Non-Profit Company (K2C), and The African Stove Company (TASC), with financial support from K2C and TASC, enabling the installations.

Growing food in this region is not an easy task; farmers overcome many obstacles.

“Farmers face multiple food production challenges. Outward migration sees skilled workers leave for urban areas; many residents experience sustained unemployment, causing personal food insecurity; and small-scale farmers contend with drought, land degradation, and inadequate infrastructure.” says Carl Grossmann, Chairman of ACT.

On top of these hurdles, elephants from the nearby Kruger sometimes raid the gardens! Elephants Alive has stepped in with creative solutions like beehives to deter the ellies, along with chilli-based repellants, solar flashing lights, and metal strip fences. Watch towers have also been built at Gingirikani, which double as storerooms and honey harvesting stations.

More than 40 community volunteers work in the gardens and receive a stipend through the Social Employment Fund (SEF). Research shows that each SEF participant supports about six more people in their immediate family, meaning the ripple effect is major.

“Our families are thriving because more than 40 people volunteer in the gardens and receive a SEF stipend.” says Vincent.

Produce from the gardens is used in three impactful ways. The farmers eat it themselves, sell it to boost their income, or donate the surplus to vulnerable community members.

Sources: Project Africa.

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

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From losing his job during the pandemic to running a thriving organic plot, Daniel is inspiring his community and the next generation of farmers.

Knysna, South Africa (21 September 2025)- South African farmer Daniel Hetjies from Rheenendal, Knysna, has been featured on Humans Who Grow Food, a global storytelling platform that celebrates home gardeners, small-scale farmers, and community growers across more than 100 countries. The project highlights how people from all walks of life are building sustainable futures by growing their own food.

Daniel’s journey into farming began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he lost his job and income. At that point, the owner of Homtini Farm offered unused plots of land to locals, and Daniel seized the opportunity. What started as a means to feed his family quickly grew into a sustainable business.

“I am a small-scale, hard-working farmer who has a vegetable plot as part of the Lucky Star Growers’ Project and Umthombo Trust. I grow organic vegetables and herbs to feed my family and to sell locally through my self-made WhatsApp group and delivery service.”

Today, Daniel manages a 70m x 20m plot where he produces a wide variety of crops, including beetroot, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, leeks, peppers, butternut, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, celery, garlic, and several herbs. His focus is on nurturing the soil through compost, manure, aerated compost tea, and fermented comfrey tea.

The farmers in his community work together by saving and sharing seeds, and sometimes sourcing from their local agricultural co-op. But challenges remain, particularly from wildlife.

“My biggest hurdle is baboons. A big troop regularly moves through the area and ransacks our gardens. We have tried numerous non-lethal methods, but it is a constant struggle.”

Despite these obstacles, Daniel describes his journey as rewarding. Farming has not only provided income but also strengthened family bonds. His son, Calvin, now works alongside him in the garden.

“Watching him grow and learn has been a big reward.”

Beyond his own household, Daniel is passing his knowledge on to others. He teaches local youth about the benefits of growing food and often encourages neighbours to start gardens of their own.

“It can be very profitable to grow food. Farming is a worthwhile pursuit for young and old alike.”

 

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A post shared by Humans Who Grow Food (@humanswhogrowfood)

Sources: Humans Who Grow Food

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Dr Zanele Ntshidi’s Smart Irrigation Tool helps farmers save water and boost yields, putting South Africa in the spotlight at the 4th World Irrigation Forum.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (21 September 2025) – South Africa made waves at the 4th World Irrigation Forum (WIF4) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 07–13 September 2025, picking up awards in six categories! Leading the charge was Dr Zanele Ntshidi, Research Manager at NRF-SAEON’s Arid Lands Node, whose team’s Decision Support System (DSS) for irrigation scheduling earned the Forum’s Wastage Award for Innovative Water Management. The tool helps farmers use water more efficiently by calculating exactly how much their crops need. Taking into account plant water requirements, crop type, local climate conditions, and expected yield. By giving precise irrigation recommendations, it not only saves water but also helps farmers get the best possible harvest.

Dr Ntshidi is familiar with the spotlight. She first showcased this smart tool at the 2nd Kenya National Research Festival in August 2025 and has been championing digital solutions for sustainable agriculture ever since.

Her work has earned international recognition but also demonstrates the real-world impact of science. Her efforts are helping to secure both water and food resources for communities.

“This recognition is a result of consistent efforts put into agricultural water management to save the irreplaceable natural resource that is water and advocating for water use efficiency without compromising crop yields. This ensures both water and food security two of most important necessities for human survival and bodily functions. This recognition is also an encouragement to do more. I will not only continue long term research but also ensure that the impact of such efforts is felt across society, that science is conducted for the improvement of people’s lives.”

Dr Mary-Jane Bopape, NRF-SAEON Managing Director, said Dr. Ntshidi’s work shows how local science can make a global impact, tackling real-world challenges while improving lives.

To top it off, South Africa also celebrated four dams being added to the World Heritage Irrigation Structures (Darlington, Hartbeespoort, Koppies and Woodhead dams) register and the WRC winning Best Paper, bringing the country’s total awards to six!

Sources: Supplied 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post South Africa’s Dr Zanele Ntshidi Shines at Global Irrigation Forum appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Who has to worry about Jolene when there’s a tractor named Betsie on the scene? A hilarious ‘interview’ revealed a love triangle we hope other spouses of farmers can’t relate to.

Somewhere on a Farm, South Africa (23 May 2025) — “I know men ‘aren’t allowed to cry, but there were times when she pulled me through the drought. When I was weak she was strong for me.” You’d be forgiven for thinking these to be the words of a doting partner, and in some ways you’d be right… if said partner was a farmer and if the ‘she’ was a tractor named Betsie. A hilarious advert recently played up a farmer’s true love triangle, and we’re not sure if it’s going to increase tractor sales or cause a series of ‘we need to talk’ moments.

In the advert, a farmer named Gerrie sits down with his wife to talk about love. However, things start to take a turn for the comedic when the audience realises he’s talking about his love for Betsie the tractor, while his wife thinks his loving words are about her.

“I can’t imagine life on the farm without her,” could’ve been a great way to show love to your wife Gerrie, but it just had to be about Betsie, didn’t it?

Watch: Never Mind Jolene When Betsie’s at the Scene

If this ad is relatable to those married to farmers, let us know in the comments (and please let us know how you deal!)

Meanwhile, in other videos that made us giggle this week, an American tried his first Grand-Pa in a bid to relieve a headache. Unfortunately for him, the local pain reliever might’ve given him a whole new flavour of headache in what has become a public service announcement not to try your first Grand-Pa in the powder format, without water and or if you’re not built like a South African. Have a watch, here.

Sources: John Deere; Facebook 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Watch: A South African Farmer’s Hilarious Love Triangle  appeared first on Good Things Guy.