LESSONS LEARNED FROM WORKING WITH RURAL FARM WOMEN ON MIDDELPOS FARM, SWARTLAND MUNICIPALITY, WEST COAST, WESTERN CAPE.

Abstract

I have a vision of creating an alternate rural economy that does things differently and gets better results. To put it into context, I live on an isolated farm which is part of a land reform programme. I often wish the digital world would create something that would help women specifically, who are trying to farm, to get information. I must agree that there are some encouraging signs that this is beginning to happen. Recently I was asked by the IDC to provide them with a social benefit map, because the direction that many of the state entities are taking, is that they don't only want to give money, but they also want to see the social benefit of their investments, rather than simply the profitability factor. But quickly the question arises: How do you provide that kind of map with the limited capabilities that you have? After all, most of the women I work with can't read or write and many have never seen the inside of a school.