Ukuthanda Ukukhanya Community Farm (Ukuthanda) is a Biodiversity Stewardship Site owned by the community and is well known for its wide range of bird species.
Ukuthanda intends to build adequate capacity to provide a broad range of services in livestock, bio-prospecting, vegetable and packing facilities. The aim is also to leverage supply chain opportunities with partners as part of the broad sales & marketing strategy.
Fully Restituted land with title deeds
The land is owned by the Ukuthanda Ukukhanya Communal Property Association (the CPA) representing 62 claimants and their families.
Community Property Association
The community has signed a Biodiversity Agreement with WWF and Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency under the Biodiversity Stewardship Programme.
Core Operations
Activities
Cattle ranching - The CPA benefited from the UNDP Small Grants.
Core Operations
Activities
Maize and soya bean cropping.
The community has vegetable gardens from which produce is sold to surrounding markets.
Investment Range Required
R20 million - R50 million
Type of Investment Required
Capital Expenditure
Infrastructure Funding
Working Capital
Funding Type for Financial Requirements
Equity, Debt, Grant
Non-Financial Requirements
Capacity building
Value Proposition
Key Enablers
Ecotourism
Bioprospecting
Local community, local and national market channels, national retail network, Afgri and partners.
Ukuthanda Ukukhanya CPA
The land is owned by the Ukuthanda Ukukhanya Communal Property Association (the CPA), representing 62 claimants and their families. Spanning 751 hectares, the land is largely grassland and carries livestock and crop farming lots that are currently outsourced to private farmers on a short term lease. It is also a wetland that provides a good habitat for creatures of different species and attracts a wide range of rare birds.
Current operations include vegetable gardens, maize and soya bean farming. The community have vegetable gardens from which produce is sold to surrounding markets. The CPA Cattle ranching has benefited from the UNDP grants programme and was able to purchase Nguni cattle.
The investment opportunities include:
Opportunities also exist for investment in their respective value chains. The sustainability of the biodiversity economy must be supported by investment in sustainable agriculture & eco-tourism.