Bela Bela Communal Property Association

International Labour Organisation149 Views

The Bela Bela Communal Property Association (CPA) is a working example of letsema in action. The CPA was formed by the late Andries Matseremane Mabuela who rallied the community to lodge a successful land claim for 6,000 hectares of fertile farmland in the biodiverse Waterberg District of Limpopo. A portion of the land included a game lodge as a going concern and the CPA decided to add cattle and crop farming as well as poultry to its business to create jobs for the community and generate additional income. Given the levels of poverty and hunger within families, the CPA initiated a community food programme, with each family receiving 12.5 kg of maize meal, a bag of mixed vegetables, red/white meat including game meat, eggs, rice and fish each month. Members receive Christmas hampers and, when profits allow, a cash bonus of up to R10,000 per family