Last updated on 3 August 2022
Mokgadi Mogy Mashako
Morula beer brewer Gloria Sebashe from Majeje village in Limpopo is pinning her hopes on the upcoming Marula festival to generate an income.
The festival was cancelled for two years since 2020 due to the outbreak of covid-19. The Marula Festival, which annually injects about R50 million into the district will host 2000 people who will attend physically. The 2022 edition of the event will be held in Phalaborwa from the 6 to 9 April.
It will feature activities such as the Marula cultural carnival, SMME exhibition, Tourism Career expo, funfair, and open-air concert. Sebashe who is the family breadwinner said the cancellation of the festival has had a dire impact on her family. She said that marula season usually means a better life for her and her children, as she can pay debts and save from all the profit she makes from tourists and attendees of the Marula festival.
“The situation has been one of despair, especially because my business is centred around the marula fruit. I support eight children, fortunately five of them still receive their support grants, but the other three are over 18 and struggle to find employment,” Sebashe said.
The entrepreneur recycles 2 litre bottles which she uses to package her marula fruit ale. She and her fellow villagers use wheelbarrows to carry the fruit in bulk before heading home to brew it. “I’m excited to hear that the festival is back, as this can only mean that I and the other women in my village will be able to sell our product and make some much-needed profit, especially after such a long time,” said Sebashe.
Sebashe is certain that with the return of the festival most of her stock will be sold, leaving enough leftovers to sell when the high volume of traffic calms down.
MEC for the Limpopo Economic Development Environment and Tourism Thabo Mokone said at the launch of the festival that an initiative such as a marula hub would assist those who are working in the industry solving most of their problems.
“We can only encourage people to start businesses and assist them in marketing their businesses but because of Covid-19, a lot of money has been taken away from our department. But with the recovery of the economy, we will then see how we will resuscitate support,” Mokone said.
Mokone highlighted that it should be emphasised that the festivities are about the empowerment of women, youth, and people living with disabilities through different beneficiation programmes of Marula. Sinah Mgwenya, 74, said that even though it won’t be easy, she plans to put her product on display at the Marula festival exhibition, in case the perfect investor realises her potential.
Mgwenya who has been making marula fruit jam for the past 10 years said it is important to preserve this culture.
“Since I’m getting older I want to see more children learning this skill from me as it has the potential to also put food on the table,” Mgwenya said.
Upon hearing that stall registration costs R500 and the number of stalls will be limited in line with Covid 19 regulations, Mgwenya said together with her children, she will ensure that her jam forms part of the three day Marula event.
Mavis Mulaudzi who works on a farm says that to supplement her wages she sells chilies and brooms and this year will split the registration fee with her friend so that they both make the most of the resuscitated festival.
“At least from the profit I make I can get more stock, which I will continue selling at the market next to the taxi rank,” Mulaudzi said. – news@mukurukuru.co.za
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