Rapper Mo Molemi's venture into farming hits a snag

Motswako rapper Mo Molemi, who has hit a snag in his farming venture, allegedly deserted his farm at Ramatlabama, North West.

Molemi, whose real name is Motlapele Morule, 36, has apparently left his livestock and crop fields unattended for almost two years, forcing his father to plant mealies on the land.

According to a family member who wished not to be named, the farm business was not profitable enough for the rapper.

"It' almost two years now; the farming seems to have died," the family member said.

Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, Molemi denied that he had abandoned his farm but admitted to certain challenges, including "a supply shortage".

"We are limited in our stock but we are working hard to get up to speed. I supply so little crops my stock only lasts up to one month or a month-and-a-half at supermarket shelves and then I have to go off season after that," he said.

Molemi, whose rap moniker means "farmer", cited lack of support and funding from government and banks.

"Unless I had billions of rands like the white capital monopolies who have so much and can supply all year around, farming is not something that just happens overnight.

"I've started a new conversation with government, premiers and a few commercial banks that want to help me put up irrigation and so on.

"One gets frustrated because things go slow but when there is a vision it's possible and it can work," said the artist whose hits include Leuba (drought).

He said his tomatoes, carrots and potatoes which were previously available at supermarkets are not available at the moment.

"It's not my intention anymore to put stock in any chain store . profit will come in the long run but it won't be possible if I am still selling to supermarkets who do not care about me."

madibogoj@sowetan.co.za