SOCIOTECH BBL FACILITATOR: Sizwe Skhosana
Sizwe says…
I graduated as a diesel mechanic in Witbank, and I did my internship in Steelpoort, but when Covid came I was retrenched. I went back home to Mmotwaneng. That was a difficult time, but I had always had a passion for planting, so I focused on growing food. During the pandemic, everyone was fearful and feeling helpless. For me, it felt like something I could do to feed and support the health of those I love, and earn some money by selling to others.
People in my community began to notice what I was doing, and after a while the Chief’s secretary brought Baba Damba to meet me. He explained the SocioTech methods to me and asked if I would be prepared to help with calling the community together for training. I did the first programme with other members of my community. Even though I had been growing vegetables for quite a while, I discovered that there were many things that I didn’t know. For instance, crop-rotation was a new technique for me. I was impressed with how much could be done with so little. I could see how this would work in communities like mine.
While the first group of participants were busy implementing, Baba Damba asked if I would be willing to continue to spread the word. So, I went around the area in a voluntary capacity talking to people about BBL, explaining how participation in the training could help them. When they saw how well the gardens from the first group were doing, lots of new people were eager to become involved.
So many success stories came out of that initial round of training and the ones that followed. I am inspired by a lot of the participants, but if I had to pick one person who inspires me, I would be inspired by the growth path of Oscar Madimola. He is a young guy and when he came to me for advice, he was planting for his own table on a small scale. I introduced him to BBL, and he rapidly went from 2 trenches to 4 and then 8. Now he has 18 trenches! He is mulching and crop-rotating and his harvests are amazing. He is talking about expanding beyond his own land onto the land surrounding the local school. He is selling, making profit, and saving. His success makes me so happy.
I see lots of change in the BBL participants, but my own personal development also amazes me. I am completely changed. Because of the training I received, I became confident. I am a provider for my family. I know how to calculate profit and to save money. I have much more discipline and self-control than I had before. I know my strengths and my weaknesses, and how to avoid people and places that hold me back. I know how to structure my day. I have also changed the way I relate to those I love. Before, I didn’t make enough time for my family. I was a loner, always in my room or in my garden. If I went out, it was with friends, and I didn’t make time for my kids or my girlfriend. Through SocioTech I have seen that I wasn’t sharing my life properly. When I had money, I used to buy silly things for myself. I asked for help, but I didn’t reciprocate properly. Good family, friend, and community relationships are so important.
I didn’t realise that my kids were watching everything I did, and that I wasn’t being a good role model. Now I take my kids with me when I go to the farm. They love it there and they love being with me. Last week I saw a child run screaming from a chicken, but that is not how it is for my children. My children know to respect plants and animals. They know how to put the birds back in the henhouse. Every technique I show them and every success that comes from that, builds confidence, and I want my kids, young as they are, to think of themselves as people with talents, skills, and potential.
Sharing knowledge has also transformed me. I feel blessed and privileged to have been a part of changing the lives of others. My work makes me so happy. I think one of the reasons that I am an effective trainer is that I have stood where those I train are now standing. I recognise their pain. I know the joy that comes from realising that it doesn’t have to be this way. For example, in the Eastern Cape I met people with no employment, feeling hopeless, feeling like there was no way out. And it is such a blessing to be able to show people that they have land, they have a great climate with rain even in winter. Just pointing out to them that they have these basic assets has completely changed them. They now grow plenty of food, they are selling, and they are confident that they can make a better future for themselves. No need to wait for others to change the way the world is. Abundance is within the grasp of even the poorest people. They no longer sit around doing nothing and feeling helpless. They have made things happen for themselves. They are making their own income. Earning their own living.
The first step on the BBL journey is the hardest. If people are struggling to get going, I tell them to associate with those who have started. Be motivated by those who are motivated. Watch and learn. And then do. The success of the doers is inspiring for those who come after them.
I graduated as a diesel mechanic in Witbank, and I did my internship in Steelpoort, but when Covid came I was retrenched. I went back home to Mmotwaneng. That was a difficult time, but I had always had a passion for planting, so I focused on growing food. During the pandemic, everyone was fearful and feeling helpless. For me, it felt like something I could do to feed and support the health of those I love, and earn some money by selling to others.
People in my community began to notice what I was doing, and after a while the Chief’s secretary brought Baba Damba to meet me. He explained the SocioTech methods to me and asked if I would be prepared to help with calling the community together for training. I did the first programme with other members of my community. Even though I had been growing vegetables for quite a while, I discovered that there were many things that I didn’t know. For instance, crop-rotation was a new technique for me. I was impressed with how much could be done with so little. I could see how this would work in communities like mine.
While the first group of participants were busy implementing, Baba Damba asked if I would be willing to continue to spread the word. So, I went around the area in a voluntary capacity talking to people about BBL, explaining how participation in the training could help them. When they saw how well the gardens from the first group were doing, lots of new people were eager to become involved.
So many success stories came out of that initial round of training and the ones that followed. I am inspired by a lot of the participants, but if I had to pick one person who inspires me, I would be inspired by the growth path of Oscar Madimola. He is a young guy and when he came to me for advice, he was planting for his own table on a small scale. I introduced him to BBL, and he rapidly went from 2 trenches to 4 and then 8. Now he has 18 trenches! He is mulching and crop-rotating and his harvests are amazing. He is talking about expanding beyond his own land onto the land surrounding the local school. He is selling, making profit, and saving. His success makes me so happy.
I see lots of change in the BBL participants, but my own personal development also amazes me. I am completely changed. Because of the training I received, I became confident. I am a provider for my family. I know how to calculate profit and to save money. I have much more discipline and self-control than I had before. I know my strengths and my weaknesses, and how to avoid people and places that hold me back. I know how to structure my day. I have also changed the way I relate to those I love. Before, I didn’t make enough time for my family. I was a loner, always in my room or in my garden. If I went out, it was with friends, and I didn’t make time for my kids or my girlfriend. Through SocioTech I have seen that I wasn’t sharing my life properly. When I had money, I used to buy silly things for myself. I asked for help, but I didn’t reciprocate properly. Good family, friend, and community relationships are so important.
I didn’t realise that my kids were watching everything I did, and that I wasn’t being a good role model. Now I take my kids with me when I go to the farm. They love it there and they love being with me. Last week I saw a child run screaming from a chicken, but that is not how it is for my children. My children know to respect plants and animals. They know how to put the birds back in the henhouse. Every technique I show them and every success that comes from that, builds confidence, and I want my kids, young as they are, to think of themselves as people with talents, skills, and potential.
Sharing knowledge has also transformed me. I feel blessed and privileged to have been a part of changing the lives of others. My work makes me so happy. I think one of the reasons that I am an effective trainer is that I have stood where those I train are now standing. I recognise their pain. I know the joy that comes from realising that it doesn’t have to be this way. For example, in the Eastern Cape I met people with no employment, feeling hopeless, feeling like there was no way out. And it is such a blessing to be able to show people that they have land, they have a great climate with rain even in winter. Just pointing out to them that they have these basic assets has completely changed them. They now grow plenty of food, they are selling, and they are confident that they can make a better future for themselves. No need to wait for others to change the way the world is. Abundance is within the grasp of even the poorest people. They no longer sit around doing nothing and feeling helpless. They have made things happen for themselves. They are making their own income. Earning their own living.
The first step on the BBL journey is the hardest. If people are struggling to get going, I tell them to associate with those who have started. Be motivated by those who are motivated. Watch and learn. And then do. The success of the doers is inspiring for those who come after them.
