Reviving an Old, Dilapidated Farm into Agricultural Success
On this Freedom Day, we highlight the exceptional work of Nonopa Tenza, owner of Kevinot Farming, a rural enterprise based in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. Nonopa is a living testimony to Nelson Mandela’s words: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” An...
ECRDA Support Turning Farming Potential into Results
A young farmer, Lamla Nokhubeka, who manages Kibiti Farming in Upper Gxulu near Keiskamahoek, is an ECRDA structured finance success story delivering tangible results through job creation and productive harvesting. The farm recently completed a successful harvest...
ECRDA Tractor Support Reduces Costs and Unlocks Growth for Mnquma Farmer
“It will help me minimise production costs because I now have my own equipment, including a tractor, plough, trailer, and planter. Previously, I had to spend nearly R12 000 annually on operational costs for my 5 hectares of land,” said Mr Gladstone Gcinuhlanga Silinga...
Growing the Eastern Cape Through Structured Rural Finance
On a 10-hectare farm opposite Ducats Township, just 10km from East London CBD, Ms Liziwe Dakiso is steadily building a diversified and expanding agricultural enterprise. As one of ECRDA’s new Structured Rural Finance clients, her progress demonstrates how targeted...
ECRDA CEO Championed Inclusive Economic Growth at SANParks Vision 2040 Indaba
The Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) played an active role at the South African National Parks (SANParks) Vision 2040 Indaba, a three-day gathering held from 03 to 05 September 2025. The Indaba brought together government, civil society, land claimant...
Turning Dreams Into Reality: ECRDA Supports Wandile Khave’s Farming Dream
From Dreams to Reality: How ECRDA Helped a Young Man Chase His Farming Dream For as long as he can remember, 33-year-old Wandile Khave dreamed of working with animals. Raised in the rural town of iDutywa, in Ndaleni Location, he grew up surrounded by vast open land...
ECRDA CEO Led Multi-Stakeholder Visit to Ivili Loboya to Strengthen Wool Value Chain Development in the Eastern Cape
Simpiwe Somdyala, Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA), led a multi-stakeholder delegation on a visit to the Ivili Loboya animal fibre processing and manufacturing facility in Butterworth, Eastern Cape. The delegation comprised...
Cingisita Piggery Leads Advanced Training for Emerging Pig Farmers Through ECRDA Support
Cingisita Piggery, one of ECRDA’s beneficiaries, led by Ms Phumza Sifingo, a proud recipient of support through the ECRDA and SEDFA (Sefa) Blended Finance Programme. In partnership with DanBred Breeding Company, the enterprise recently hosted a mentorship and...
ECRDA Empowerment in Action: Aruzabiz Delivers High‑Quality, High‑Demand Produce
It was a rewarding day of harvesting for Ms. Zoleka Dikana, owner of Aruzabiz Pty Ltd, a thriving agricultural enterprise and proud beneficiary of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) rural finance programme. Her farm, situated in Cofimvaba near Komani in...
From Wattle Infestation to Job Creation: How ECRDA Empowered Izinini CPA
Izinini CPA: Transforming bare land into a thriving community forestry enterprise The Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the growth and development of community-based forestry enterprises across the province....
