CHAIRPERSON'S EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I, Ace Ncobo, in my capacity as the Chairperson of the UTF, have pleasure in confirming that the contents contained in this report are a true reflection of the project implementation for the OR Tambo Disaster.

On behalf of the Exco, our UTF volunteers and the beneficiaries, I wish to express the most heartfelt gratitude to the FNB Disaster Relief for the decision to fund agricultural cooperatives that were affected by the November 2019 tornado in the OR Tambo District.

I must concede that I was initially very sceptical of the decision to assist "businesses" instead of expanding more on the assistance given to distressed households, but after observing the huge impact that this has had on the local economic development, I have since realized the wisdom of the decision.

As the tabulated figures display, the inputs-to-yield leverage in crop production is massive. This intervention has catapulted the beneficiary co-ops from subsistence operations merely existing for the food security of its members to real and sustainable income generators.

For example, R30 000 worth of seedlings, fertilizer and other inputs for 1ha gives 32 000 seedlings. At R15 a head for cabbage or a bunch for spinach, the potential revenue is R272 800. Even with the usual 3% attrition rate, this final revenue accruing from almost zero expenditure from the co-ops translates into the real funding for the co-ops, assuming that they will re-invest it into their operations.

Finally, the testimonies of the leaders of the co-ops incorporated in the digital report all point to groups of people who are extremely grateful for the help received from FNB.

The total amount of R745 220 paid by the FNB Disaster Relief will produce an actual value amounting to R7 407 200.
The human impact variable of this project is also very high. The combined membership of the beneficiary co-ops is 73. Given the average family size of 8 in the area means that there is a direct impact on no less than 584 people. Adding the 200 recipients of the garden-in-a-box takes the total number to 273 and the direct impact on extended family to 2184.

Highbury

Highbury Multipurpose Primary Co-op was founded in 2017 by 23 members. They combined their land to be able to farm in over 26 hectares. With the lack of job opportunities in the community, they founded the co-op to create jobs and skills transfer in horticulture, poultry and piggery farming. They are suppliers of a majority of businesses in Mthatha and also help out in the community through food drives for the less fortunate and supplying crops to the school feeding schemes in the community.

With the extra seedlings received from the grant, they sponsored the excess to households in the community.

"We extend our gratitude, as the community of Highbury Multipurpose Co-op. We thank FNB who helped us by funding Ubuntu Transformation Foundation, for Ubuntu to be able to support us like this. We are happy as the community of Highbury, as the people; knowing that as from today poverty is no more here. We were affected by the disaster. We had hope before but that hope was no more after the disaster but today you have redeemed that hope in partnership with FNB. We say thank you so much. Thank you" - Nomvelase Madikane (Founding member & Chairperson)

This co-op received 5 Ha planting inputs from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R150 000.
The estimated revenue will be R1 970 000.

Delivery Note

Nobandla Cuba

A single mother taking care of a household of 4 children. She plants vegetables to supplement not having enough income to sustain the household, as she is the only breadwinner.

"Sincere gratitude to FNB and Ubuntu Transformation Foundation for being able to support us at such a time, where there is less employment; we are now able to work and are going to eat, as well as our children even when there is no money to buy food. Because of FNB we will be able to got to the garden even if we only have maize meal, we will know that there is something to add to the meal that we wont have to pay for. Thank you so much FNB and Ubuntu Transformation. May the Lord bless them and grant them more from where they take from and continue to help others as well. Thank you so much" - Nobandla Cuba

This co-op received 0.25 Ha planting inputs from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R7 500.
The estimated revenue will be R98 500.

Delivery Note

Mqhekezweni Agro Ecology

The 10 founding members of Mqhekezweni Agro Ecology saw the plight of poverty in the community and founded the co-op to help create job opportunities and feed those who who have no means. They have been operating for over 10 years now and still continue to sponsor the junior & high schools and the still poverty stricken households.

"I am Nombulelo Matshiqi from eMqhekezweni, our co-op is called Mqhekezweni Agro Ecology. I want to say thank you so much to FNB for giving us support, hunger has been alleviated. We will be able to sponsor schools and the less privileged people from our village will no longer sleep on an empty stomach. Hunger has been destroyed here, eMqhekezweni. We, as Mqhekezweni Agro Ecology we say thank you so much to FNB; in future, do the same for other as well. Thank You." - Nombulelo Matshiqi (Founding Member & Chairperson)

This co-op received 0.5 Ha planting inputs from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R19 920.
The estimated revenue will be R197 000.

AgroFutures

Agrofutures agricultural co-op was founded by 3 community members who decided to start planting on the land they had to alleviate poverty for themselves, their families and the community.

"My name is Nokuthula Mafikwana, I am part of Agro Futures, we want to say thank you so much to FNB. We did not know that after such a disaster we would be sponsored by this much. We are so thankful, we didn't expect this because such things have happened and people have been suffering and we didn't see any help in the form of assistance. Thank you so much" - Nokuthula Mafikwana (Founding member & Director)

This co-op received 0.5 Ha planting inputs from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R15 000.
The estimated revenue will be R197 000.

Delivery Note

Basana Veg

BASANA in AGRIC is a vibrant agricultural practice that seeks to create value through innovation, growth and high quality produce. Its product and services are focused on rural people and add value to their quality of life.

"I am Basana Lubabalo, I am the director of 'Basana Agric Project', I would like to thank FNB and Ubuntu Transformation Foundation for sponsoring us with these seedlings. I was affected by the disaster; I am privileged to receive planting inputs. I am thankful with all my heart for the planting inputs you gave me." - Lubabalo Basana (Director)

This co-op received 0.5 Ha planting inputs from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R15 000.
The estimated revenue will be R197 000.

Delivery Note

Dizamehlo

Dizamehlo Primary Co-Op was founded in 2015. With 9 members, all working together in planting of vegetables, production, livestock and selling.

"I am Buleleni, part of the Dizamehlo co-op, we would like to thank you FNB for the seedlings you gave us of cabbage and spinach. We extend our sincerest thank you" - Bulelani Simelani (Founding Member & Director)

This co-op received 2 Ha planting inputs, 15 piglets and a pigsty from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R128 200.
The estimated revenue will be R788 000.

Delivery Note

Ekonwabeni

Ekonwabeni Moyeni Primary Agricultural co-op was founded in 2013 by 8 members of the community who share a vision of growing to be a profitable enterprise through horticulture and poultry farming.

"As this project of Ekonwabeni Primary Co-op, we'd like to thank you FNB for giving us so many seedlings" - Zoleka Booi (Founding Member & Secretary)

This co-op received 0.5 Ha planting inputs from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R15 000.
The estimated revenue will be R197 000.

Delivery Note

Jay Farming

Jay Jay Farming was founded in 2018 by two vibrant youth. They have managed to acquire an approximate 10 Ha of land and currently ably to utilise 80% of it. They have numerous clients around OR Tambo District and give back to the community by periodically doing skills transfer workshops when planting and harvesting.

"As we are here today, in this setting about to do what we are about to do, it is because of you FNB. We thank you very much for your support. We hope to work like this going forward. Thank You"- Siphe Joyi (Founding membr & Managing Director)

This co-op received 3 Ha planting inputs from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R90 000.
The estimated revenue will be R1 182 000.

Delivery Note

Liwa Veg

Phamela Quluba started Liwa Veg in 2014 as a means of a secondary income and to help alleviate job scarcity and poverty in her community. Liwa Veg does food drives for the community and also sponsors the schools in her community and surrounding areas.

"My name is Pamela Nqubuka, I reside in Cralvania, Umtata. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to FNB. It (Liwa Veg) works so much; we supply schools with vegetables. Almost all the schools around Mthatha are supplied by us with vegetables; Jimmy Spar and the small shops around. Thank you FNB, I don't know how to articulate my gratitude. We were crying at the time of the disaster; we counted the money we were going to lose. We had no hope that FNB would follow through after the initial assessment but I am now shocked at what we received. I want to say thank you to FNB" - Pamela Nqubeka (Director)

This co-op received 2 Ha planting inputs from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R60 000.
The estimated revenue will be R788 000.

Delivery Note

uMzikantu

uMzikantu Multipurpose Primary Co-Op was founded by its 5 members in 2019 in an effort to help the community with skills in horticulture and livestock farming. They have created numerous jobs and transferred skills to community member such that they are able to independently farm. They also sponsor the schools in the community in assistance to the schools' food drives.

"I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to FNB for the support they have given us after the disaster that hit us last year, where we lost our crops and our chicken coop got destroyed. We, as Mzikantu Co-operative, we say thank you very much to FNB for what they have done for us" - Phikolomzi Mtirara (Founding member & Chairperson)

This co-op received 1.5 Ha planting inputs and a chicken coop from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R88 000.
The estimated revenue will be R591 000.

Delivery Note

Nolitha Bali

Nolitha Bali formally took to horticulture after she retired. She farms as a source of income and to assist her community through donating to numerous poverty stricken households in her community.

"I am Nolitha Bali, thank you to FNB for the seedlings they sponsored us with. I express my ultimate gratitude. Extend the same kindness to others. Thank you." - Nolitha Bali

This co-op received 1 Ha planting inputs from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R30 000.
The estimated revenue will be R394 000.

Delivery Note

SIDECA

Siphe Development and Capacitation Agency (SIDECA) is a 100% black-owned and managed co-operation.
SIDECA is an expression of goals set forth in South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) component that argues local economic development should be the key economic driver and has the potential to create jobs.
In partnership with government organs, civil society and private companies SIDECA seeks support the NDP by pursuing the following goals:
Stimulating local economic development;
Create income opportunities, income growth, employment and productivity in underdeveloped local municipalities;
Develop agriculture toward agro-industry and increase self-reliance

"Hi, my name is Athi Magoqoza from SIDECA (Siphe Development & Capacitation Agency). Thank you FNB and Ubuntu"- Athi Magoqoza (Managing Director)

This co-op received 2 Ha planting inputs, a nursery tunnel and 50 layer chicks from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R110 000.
The estimated revenue will be R788 000.

Delivery Note

Thumamina

8 members formed Thumamina co-op in 2019. They are small scale and trying to grow the produce output. They currently only supply the community spaza shops, homesteads and surrounding schools. They are hopeful that the grant received will be able to springboard them to be able to supply medium to large businesses as well.

"We, as Thumamina Young Primary Co-op, we want to unequivocally say thank you to FNB for the support they have given us. We plead that they do not dessert us, we will also continue with our work and not disappoint."- Anele Sikhunyana (Founding member & Chairperson)

This co-op received 0.5 planting inputs from the FNB Disaster Relief to the value of R15 000.
The estimated revenue will be R197 000.

Delivery Note