Underscoring a Legacy of Sustainability through Farming, Meet Kabelo Leputu.
1. Who are you?
I am Thokgaoadi Kabelo Leputu from Ga –Rampheri. I have obtained a BSc in Agriculture from University of Limpopo. I have experience in facilitating learnerships and skills in Agriculture.
2. Which primary and high school did you attend?
I went to Rampheri Primary School. I attended two secondary schools, which are Phala High School and matriculated at Mmapadi High School.
3. Which subjects did you choose and why?
I chose Physical Science, Life Science, Mathematics and Geography. I chose Science because it went along with my career ambitions
4. How did you decide on your career choice?
Growing up I wanted to be a Veterinarian but I did not qualify to study the course, so Agriculture was not my first choice but along my studies I fell in love with it and that’s why I even persuaded on carrying on with it after my studies.
5. Tell us about your business
It’s an emerging business focused more on the people in the community and surrounding areas.
6. What made you own/start your business?
Unemployment rate trend at about 64% in South Africa. Therefore that’s why I decided on starting my own business because I have been unemployed for a long time.
7. Which services do you offer?
Planting and selling Vegetables, We deliver to our nearby customers and we use our own source of transportation to deliver {our legs}
8. How is it like running your own business?
It is good and tough at the same time, the tough part of it, is the labour that comes with planting and maintenance of the crops. The good part is working at our own time and pace.
9. What advice would you give to someone who wants to go into business like yours?
Passion, Consistency, Patient and Commitment. If you can have passion for farming , Be Consistence especially when it comes to maintaining your crops before harvesting, Farming is a practice that require patience, plants do not grow in a day. You grow potatoes, water them, fertilise them and yet not knowing what is happening in ground. Then commitment, there are so many challenges that are beyond your control e.g. high temperatures or hail. Therefore you cannot give up. You have to keep going no matter the challenges.
10. What advice or words of encouragement would you give high school learners {motivational quote?}
Follow your heart but also be open to other possible opportunities, try to acquire new skills if your profession is not working for you.
