Lima Rural Development Foundation

27/02/2026

As part of the Social Employment Fund programme, food security training was conducted in Mbombela during the first week of February. The training was facilitated by Mida, together with site facilitator Thandi Maguga.

Participants were introduced to three garden models: the Tower Garden, Eco-Circle Garden, and Trench Bed Garden. These models are designed to save water and space while using recycled and natural materials to create a healthy environment for beneficial soil microbes, improving soil fertility and supporting sustainable food production.

Just weeks later, the progress is already visible. The gardens are looking healthy and productive, contributing to improved household food security and stronger community resilience.

Well done to the team and participants for their dedication and hard work. 🌿

25/02/2026

Social Employment Fund (SEF) Enterprise Development Spotlight:

My name is Brian Thwala, and I am from Umthwalume, near Port Shepstone. I am a young entrepreneur passionate about building sustainable businesses and creating employment in my community.

I run MR_CLEAN_SNEAKER_WASH, offering professional sneaker cleaning, colour restoration, sole whitening, repainting, shoe polishing, and upholstery cleaning for car seats, sofas, beds, and carpets.

I started this business after noticing a gap in my community for professional and affordable cleaning services. I have always believed that looking clean and presentable boosts confidence, and I wanted to provide that service locally.

Starting with limited equipment and minimal capital, I handled everything myself, including cleaning, marketing, customer service, and finances. Over time, my business grew in customer trust, service quality, and professionalism.

The SEF Programme and support from Lima helped me strengthen my business structure, improve record-keeping, and manage cash flow. The programme boosted my confidence and helped me think strategically about growth and sustainability.

One of my proudest achievements is building a recognized brand within my community, earning trust and referrals from satisfied customers.

Looking ahead, I aim to expand MR_CLEAN_SNEAKER_WASH into a fully equipped cleaning hub, create jobs for young people, and open branches in nearby areas. I am grateful to Lima, SEF, and my mentor for believing in my business and investing in my growth.

20/02/2026

The Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) Workshop was held over five days, with 22 participants from !Kheis Municipality and Kenhardt attending. Of these, 10 participants are beneficiaries of the Scatec Social Support Club Programme.

AVP is an international peacebuilding programme that promotes empathy, cooperation, and effective communication. The workshop included Basic and Advanced sessions, as well as the Masculinity Men’s Project (Imbadu), which focused on positive masculinity and reflection among male participants.

This training forms part of the Social Employment Fund (SEF) project’s efforts to build capacity for Gender-Based Violence awareness and prevention. Participants shared powerful reflections, including: “I learned that if you cannot control your feelings, it can lead to violence,” and “There are no bad people, only people’s actions are bad.”

Through programmes like AVP, participants are empowered with tools, awareness, and confidence to build more peaceful, respectful, and supportive communities.

18/02/2026

Training was recently provided to the Social Employment Fund (SEF) agricultural teams across the South Coast, Matatiele, uMhlathuze, uMlalazi, Ngqushwa and Great Kei.

The training focuses on helping communities grow their own nutritious vegetables using locally available and low-cost materials, turning everyday waste into valuable resources. Participants also learned practical garden layouts that protect and improve soil health naturally, without expensive inputs.

This initiative empowers families to produce their own healthy food, promotes sustainable living, and shows that anyone can start a garden, even with limited space or land.

04/02/2026

The Blouberg team, together with Lima’s Managing Director Lynette Parsons, recently conducted farm visits in Avon Village as part of our Smallholder Farmers Support Programme.

The visits provided an opportunity to engage directly with participating farmers, assess progress on the ground, and offer ongoing technical support. The team visited Mr Martin Masipa, who is cultivating piquanté peppers, and Mr Dankuru Abram, who is producing cabbage.

These engagements form part of Lima’s commitment to strengthening smallholder farmers through hands-on support, knowledge sharing, and sustainable agricultural development in partnership with De Beers Group Managed Operations South Africa.

28/01/2026

REGENTSE is a youth-led primary cooperative from Devrede Village, Bochum (Blouberg North), formed by Marothi Mamadi, Refentse Rakgoropo, Pearl Manaka and Thabo Molokomme.

The cooperative includes a former Social Employment Fund (SEF) participant and focuses on producing cabbage, butternut and potatoes, while also rearing and selling chickens locally.

After several successful production cycles, the group saved funds and secured 6 hectares of land from the traditional council. They are currently clearing the land in preparation for their next potato production cycle.

REGENTSE forms part of the De Beers Programme, which supports emerging farmers to grow sustainable agricultural enterprises. The cooperative also benefits from strong relationships with neighbouring commercial farmers who assist with machinery and implements.

Lima has supported the cooperative through training in crop and broiler production, helping build skills, confidence and long-term sustainability.

De Beers Group Managed Operations South Africa

23/01/2026

Lima has officially entered Phase 4 of the Social Employment Fund (SEF), a programme dedicated to strengthening communities through meaningful, dignified work opportunities.

As part of the SEF programme, training our participants is essential, equipping them with practical knowledge and skills that support both their current roles and future employment opportunities.

Through our collaboration with Tsibogang NPO, the North West SEF team attended a comprehensive training session focused on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and HIV. The session explored how to identify signs of abuse, understand the impact of GBV on individuals and communities, and apply practical strategies to support survivors.

Participants walked away with strengthened knowledge and practical skills to address GBV and HIV, both in their work and within their communities.

08/01/2026

Job Vacancy: Enterprise Development Facilitator
- Fixed-term contract
- Junior level

Requirements:
- Graduate with a qualification in either agriculture/ agribusiness/ business studies/ community development or similar
- Driver's license (& must be a competent driver of a manual vehicle)
- Minimum 2 years of working experience
- Experience in stakeholder engagement & working with small businesses
- Computer literate
- Available immediately
- 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗸𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲/ 𝗠𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗸𝘄𝗲𝗻𝗮, 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗽𝗼 (𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱)

Please send CV with traceable references & proof of address to recruitment@lima.org.za

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲:𝟭𝟰 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

15/12/2025

Job Vacancy: Community Development Facilitator
Location: Groblershoop, Northern Cape
Job Type: Full-time position

Minimum requirements:
- Diploma/ Degree in Social / Community Development/ Agriculture or similar
- Valid Driver's License with at least 1 year experience driving a manual vehicle
- 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻 !𝗞𝗵𝗲𝗶𝘀 / 𝗞𝗮𝗶 !𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗯 𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
- 𝗙𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗮𝗮𝗻𝘀
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Job Description:
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing relationships with relevant social stakeholders in the !Kheis & Kai !Garib municipalities and supporting community development initiatives including social clubs.

To Apply:
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮, please send your CV with traceable references to recruitment@lima.org.za
Subject line: Comm Dev Facilitator Groblershoop

Application Deadline: 19 December 2025

12/12/2025

Through support from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), rural enterprises are gaining vital tools to grow, strengthening food security, boosting local economies, and creating meaningful jobs. Farmers in the programme have benefited from upgraded infrastructure, essential inputs, and hands-on technical support that improve long-term stability and productivity.

Lima plays a key role by assessing applications, conducting site visits, training farmers, engaging stakeholders, and providing tailored post-investment support.

Necton Farm is one of the programme’s standout successes. After receiving 3,800 Highliner Silver Brown layer chickens in October 2025, egg production rose from 5 to about 30 crates a day. Funded support, including a fully equipped structure, four months of feed, cages, egg trays, and an Isuzu single-cab bakkie, has kept operations running smoothly. Consistent feeding, cleaning, and waste management continue to support excellent flock performance.

The farm now employs five permanent staff and hosts two Fort Cox students, while expanding its market reach with branded eggs and strong interest from buyers such as Rhodes University, Spar, Pick n Pay, and Lalibella Game Lodge.

09/12/2025

Through the Risepreneur Programme, young entrepreneurs are empowered with mentorship, skills training, and the opportunity to pitch their business ideas. We are excited to share that Thobeka and Kgothatso, two of our interns, were selected as programme finalists after completing rigorous business assessments and pitch preparation.

They confidently presented their enterprises, Thobeka specialising in sneakers and dresses. Their strong presentation earned them a Group 2 Reward, along with a prize and a certificate of recognition.

This achievement reflects their dedication, growth, and passion for entrepreneurship. The programme has equipped them with valuable skills in pitching, marketing, customer relations, financial planning, and business development, strengthening their vision for the future of their business.

We are incredibly proud of Thobeka and Kgothatso and look forward to seeing them continue to rise!

03/12/2025