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HONOURED: Farmer Emily Tjale beat 150 candidates from 50 countries.

 Women need access to natural resources and support to adapt to climate change so that we can be more productive 

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Tjale, 58, came second in the category of Food Sovereignty at the Rio+20 Summit which was held in Rio de Janeiro last week.

Food Sovereignty is about protecting indigenous seeds as well as growing nutritious food that contribute to healthy livelihood.

She competed against 150 candidates from 50 countries.

She says she was recognised for using original seeds instead of chemicals when producing her vegetables.

Tjale and her group - Women Together in Development - work as caregivers, looking after sick people in the community while farming to provide food and livelihoods.

"We grow organic produce to preserve food sovereignty as well as nutritious food to those who are most needy in our society.

"We are not exporting any of our products but we share it with the community," Tjale says.

She has dedicated her award to the rural women in her community who had to feed their families under terrible conditions.

Tjale says collecting an award will earn her and her group recognition in the sector.

"Winning the award means that I will get recognition from government funders and other stakeholders who support farming. Perhaps this will finally solve the land issue."

The former nurse at Chris Hani- Baragwanath Hospital is also a coordinator for the Land Access Movement of South Africa.

Tjale says though many women are very interested in farming, there are, however, too many challenges in the sector.

"In my community women are still going hungry because they are not able to produce enough to eat. Women need access to natural resources and support to adapt to climate change so that we can be more productive," she says.

Tjale says among some of the challenges facing developing farmers are climate change and an insufficient water supply.

"Crop production is down because weather patterns are unpredictable," she said.

Comments

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Wed Jun 19 00:05:11 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 27, 2012

Pointman

Where would we be without people like these. They have so little but they give anyway. The award is well deserve sister.

We hear so much about black farmers ruining land returned to them but there is a reason for this. In the 1800's black farmers in the Cape were so knowledgeable and productive that white farmers could not compete with them. They got the government to pass a law which forbade black farmers from bringing their produce to the city and the black farms and the accumulated knowledge was destroyed. Will take time to recover. Sorry can't recall the references.
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Jun 27, 2012

kolobe

zuma is busy asskissing whites who stole our land,why buy something that is yours? throw the thieve in prison and take back whats rightfully yours.blacks cant farm this that..bulll..all that is needed is time for experience and capital
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Jun 27, 2012

Pitbull123

Congratulations Emily Tjale and your group. Its a milestone to win against 150 candidates from 50 countries, that shows what you are made off and we the people of South Africa wish you the best of luck in your future endevours, hope the Govt and DAFF in particular can see your flag of achievement flying high and will offer assistance that you and your group might need to solve hunger problems in your province.

Aluta continua! Keep the good work going!
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Jun 27, 2012

Impela

"We are not exporting any of our products but we share it with the community," Tjale says
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Bravo Tjale!!!
Maybe other 'poor communities' wil take a leaf out of Tjale's group.
Growing your own food is one of the pillars that underpins the fight against poverty.
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Jun 27, 2012

Papage

Congradulations Mma, you are one Leader this Country so dearly need, this is the best news ever for today and hope for more tomorrow. Good Luck, we will pray for you and your scheme. Hope your seeds(Children) are taught that way as well.
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Jun 27, 2012

xhosagirl

at last good news about a South African in Brazil not about drugs, thanks Ma
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Jun 27, 2012

Shredder

That's MommaC. She was using mabele (sorghum).

Applause, we are happy for you mama. You make me proud. I was talking to a certain white woman yesterday. Her father has got a farm. She tells me that their neighboring farm owner is a black guy and he is doing quite well. Applause to him too. I need to go and get some experience from these 2.
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Jun 27, 2012

WarrenG

Well done. Yes the weather is unpredictable. But thats all over the world. Now women in your area don't have to go hungry any more. Take your awesome skills and teach them! Good on you!
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Jun 27, 2012

mbondo

I am very greatful to this mama because she is closing all the doors of evil attitudes from these whi te people who are saying they feed black people. A thief who stole your land than turns around and say you cannot get this land back which I stole from you because I feed you.
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Jun 27, 2012

MicaParis

Congratulation Mma go rena!! You will be our next Minister of Agriculture you proved too much better than the lazy Tina Jommat Pieterson who does not have even a single idea what Agriculture is , another useless Minister who deserve to be a Senior Manager for Auxiliary in DPSA, she does not not even come close to being a Minister. We do not want to disclose how you got that post because we have respect and have signed pledge to keep Presidential 'secretes' as such you deserve to be replaced by Makoko wa rona above!!!
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