Farmers at Kupheleni have embarked on strawberry production, as a means to improve their socio-economic sta¬tus and overall livelihoods.
The project, an initiative of Super Buddies Club, a local non-profit organisation, is being implemented through the newly-established Chakaza Kupheleni Multi-purpose Co-operative Society.
The co-operative was founded in March 2025 and officially reg¬istered with government in July 2025. It is affiliated with the Ha¬wane Multi-Co-operative Society, which leads strawberry production under the Taiwan Technical Mission in Eswatini.
Kupheleni is a community under Motshane Inkhundla in the Hhohho Region. Through this affiliation, Chakaza Kupheleni Multi-purpose Co-operative received 1 000 straw¬berry plants, which were planted on Thursday, August 21, 2025, with the enthusiastic participation of 25 of the co-operative’s 30 members; comprising men, women and youth.
With technical support from Super Buddies Club, the co-operative was established to fight poverty and improve livelihoods through sustainable agriculture. Beyond strawberry production, the society also plans to venture into vegetable farming and supply local retail shops. Both strawberry and vegetable production will be fully organic, ensuring longer shelf-life and healthier consumption for the community. Two members of the co-operative have generously loaned their land for the initial production.
To guarantee the sustainability of the project, members are being trained in agri-business principles. Weekly training sessions are facilitated by Winniefred Wamulanga, a Community Development Specialist attached through the partnership between Super Buddies Club and the United States Peace Corps Response Programme.
The agri-business programme began with a baseline assessment of farmers’ knowledge and now includes six months of financial literacy and business management workshops.
In an interview, Mpendulo Zwane, the Interim Chairperson of the Co-operative, expressed gratitude to Super Buddies Club and the US Peace Corps for empowering the community. “This is a life-changing experience. As Kupheleni farmers, we believe it will break the cycle of poverty that has dominated our households. Growing up, I was told nothing good could ever succeed in our community. This project is giving us the confidence to change our situations through active participation in sustainable agriculture,” said Zwane.
.Currently, the farmers are working collectively on strawberry and vegetable production. However, there are plans to scale up production to individual farms to increase supply and meet growing local demand.
“Each farmer will dedicate one hectare of land to the project so that all members can actively contribute to the production of both straw-berries and vegetables,” explained Siphiwe Vilakati, Director of Super Buddies Club.
To achieve this vision, the co-operative requires financial support to improve infrastructure such as fencing and irrigation systems. According to Zwane, this investment would enable the 30 members to produce on 30 hectares of land, compared to the current 2.5 hectares. Additionally, the co-operative seeks funding for the construction of a packhouse for quality assurance and processing, as well as offices for administration.
“This is a bold vision, but with the motivation we are receiving from the agri-business workshops and our commitment to succeed, we are confident we will realise this dream,” Zwane said enthusiastically.
For more details on the project, Chakaza Kupheleni Multi-purpose Co-operative Society can be reached at 7615 4342/7822 6438 or via their Facebook page; Chakaza
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