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Mbuso Ndhlovu 

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It is a widely held perception that the youngest sibling or an only child is pampered and is devoid of ambitions in life. They are said to be irresponsible, probably because someone else takes care of everything.

Dalubuhle, the youngest of four Maqeda siblings, two of them being girls, is proving to be different.

For as long as he can recall, since primary school at Robert Tredgold, the urge to be independent, wealthy and provide for his siblings has always predominated.

The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2023 is expected to open many doors for Dalubuhle. It was a successful and satisfying experience with the support and sponsorship from SNV, a Swedish organisation behind youth projects, making a dream showcase at the fair possible. 

A culmination of developments from the time that he left home for South Africa just two years ago.  He could have joined his siblings who have all settled abroad but chose a different path.

When we think of apprenticeship, it is the factory workshop scenario that comes to mind. Dalubuhle was looking for a different apprenticeship. 

He wanted to learn from seasoned farmers how to run an integrated agriculture project. From production on the farm, processing and retailing, he wanted to master it all. 

“Each moment is an opportunity. It opens access to something more precious than chariots of silver, caskets of gold and ropes of pearls and jewels,” he said. Schwartz’s words kept ringing in his ears as he worked on the land and food processing exposure in South Africa.

After only a year of learning, he returned home last year having absorbed all there was to learn and Fresh Agro Drop was born. Showcasing at the ZITF enabled by the generous SNV was the acme of his project so far. 

“It is so gratifying to be here at ZITF. We hope the support from SNV will be justified in due course,” Dalubuhle said with his gaze focused at a point on the roof in Hall 2. “This (ZITF exhibition) will definitely lead to something big, really awesome.”

It is inspirational that instead of settling in self imposed exile as an economic refugee, some young people realise that it is an opportunity to learn about modern methods of farming and getting exposed to advanced technology. Returning home armed with entrepreneurial ambitions to play a small but significant part towards attainment of national goals such as Vision 2030, a burning desire needed to be satisfied. 

“The company name is Fresh Agro Drop. In partnership with Buhle Nyoni we ventured into farming in January 2022 and then registered our company in February this year. 

“We have been supplying the market with fresh farm produce such as all types of vegetables, rabbit, chicken meat, eggs. We also supply solar dried vegetables and fruits such as peaches, mangoes, carrots, oranges, spinach,bananas,nartjies, okra, peppers, virtually any fruit and vegetable,” he said. 

“We are focusing on supplying hotels and restaurants too. The ZITF has opened our eyes to new and more attractive packaging and marketing trends. Everything is grown and processed at our Woodville Park plot using solar powered borehole and drip irrigation as well as solar driers. Satisfying the customer is the main precept of Fresh Agro Drop. 

“We could have joined my brother and sisters who are all abroad but chose to work on the land to contribute minimally to food sufficiency.” 

Indeed the future is bright if youths embrace hardwork to prosper the                     nation and heed Mortimer Caplan’s observation, “Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.”