Limpopo revives Ga-Mashashane Hatchery to create jobs

Residents of Ga-Mashashane, outside Polokwane in Limpopo, have welcomed the provincial government’s efforts to revive their local community chicken hatchery project. The Mashashane Hatchery, which was once the largest producer of fresh eggs in the region, is now dormant, with part of its infrastructure vandalised.

During her State of the Province Address, Limpopo Premier, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, announced plans to support the project through the Economic Development Department. Ramathuba said they want to restore the hatchery to its former glory and create employment opportunities for locals.

Some residents at Sengatane near the project say unemployment has risen since the project was neglected.

“The project used to have chickens. As the locals, we used to buy from here but now it is not assisting us. We used to buy eggs and chicks here. So we want the government to revive it, so that it can create jobs around here. Most of our youth here are unemployed.”

The Limpopo Economic Development Department says they have started assisting the hatchery with machinery. Department spokesperson, Leo Gama explains: “The project currently employs about 36 workers, who on a daily basis come to this project to manage it. And it has been fully revived by LEDA. We have refurbished the building roof, installed new equipment and drilled a new borehole and installed a new generator. We are in a process of erecting a new fencing wall, so we are working to ensure that the project is fully resuscitated.”