Lima Rural Development Foundation

27/03/2026

18/03/2026

Job Advertisement: Training Officer
Fixed term contract
Based in Soweto, Gauteng

Please read the advert carefully & only if you meet all the requirements, we invite you to apply.
Full details below:

13/03/2026

Lima has enrolled 80 participants from Batlhabine, under the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, in the Enterprise Development Programme implemented through the Social Employment Fund (SEF).

Participants in the programme receive Street Business School (SBS) training, a key component that strengthens their entrepreneurial skills, builds confidence, and helps them grow sustainable businesses.

During programme implementation, business compliance was identified as a key challenge for many participants. To address this, the Lima team invited Small Enterprise Development & Finance Agency - Sedfa to host an information session with the Enterprise Development participants.

The session introduced entrepreneurs to the range of services offered by SEDFA and highlighted the importance of formal business registration and compliance. Participants were encouraged to take the necessary steps to register their businesses, helping them operate legally and unlock further opportunities for growth and support.

SEDFA also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting participants throughout the company registration process, ensuring that these emerging entrepreneurs are better equipped to build and sustain their businesses.

Through partnerships and targeted support, Lima continues to empower local entrepreneurs and strengthen township economies.

09/03/2026

Lima recently hosted a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) workshops in Mogwase, Mokgalwaneng, Northam, Sandfontein, Moruleng, Welgeval and Mantsere in North West and Limpopo Provinces, as part of the Township Economy Programme funded by the Tshikululu Trust and made possible by Valterra Platinum Ltd.

This programme is designed to support small business owners within targeted communities by equipping them with relevant knowledge and skills to strengthen and grow the local economy.

The PRA workshops served as our first public engagement with entrepreneurs in these clusters. The sessions provided an opportunity to connect with participants, understand their business environments, and identify the key needs and challenges they face.

These insights will help us tailor the programme to ensure it is practical, relevant, and responsive to the realities of local businesses.

We look forward to continued engagements with the entrepreneurs and to delivering another impactful and successful programme that drives sustainable township and rural economic growth.

05/03/2026

Skills2Care Training: Empowering Our Caregivers

Members of the Social Support Clubs in Kenhardt and !Kheis participated in the Skills2Care Training facilitated by the Small Projects Foundation (SPF). The training was hosted by Palesa in Kenhardt and by Snathi and Pabi in !Kheis.

Skills2Care is an evidence-based learning programme designed to strengthen the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills of community-based caregivers working in rural and resource-limited communities.

The training equips Social Support Clubs to better serve their communities and to transfer these valuable skills to the people they support.

Key learning modules included:
• Mother and baby care
• Empathetic care
• Growth and nutrition
• Immunisation
• Teenage pregnancy
• Mental health and well-being

Participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity, noting that the training will help them strengthen the social services they provide within their communities.

02/03/2026

This year marks 37 years of Lima’s commitment to empowering communities, strengthening livelihoods, and promoting sustainable development.

What started as a vision has grown into a shared journey of empowerment, resilience, and hope, made possible by dedicated teams, partners, and communities we work with.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of the Lima story.
Together, we continue to grow. 🌿

02/03/2026

Lima, together with the EDF team, recently visited farmers and community gardens as part of the Social Investment Programme supported by EDF Power Solutions.

The programme helps communities around the Chaba and Riverbank Wind Farms by creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and helping farmers grow fresh, healthy food. So far, 41 participants have been placed in local organisations through NGO partnerships.

During the visit, the team saw the gardens in action. The project provides training, short-term jobs, and fresh produce for vulnerable families.

An NGO garden also supports a local orphanage, providing a steady supply of vegetables and reducing food costs.

Through teamwork and community support, this programme is helping people learn new skills, create opportunities, and build stronger communities.

27/02/2026

As part of the Social Employment Fund programme, food security training was conducted in Mbombela during the first week of February. The training was facilitated by Mida, together with site facilitator Thandi Maguga.

Participants were introduced to three garden models: the Tower Garden, Eco-Circle Garden, and Trench Bed Garden. These models are designed to save water and space while using recycled and natural materials to create a healthy environment for beneficial soil microbes, improving soil fertility and supporting sustainable food production.

Just weeks later, the progress is already visible. The gardens are looking healthy and productive, contributing to improved household food security and stronger community resilience.

Well done to the team and participants for their dedication and hard work. 🌿

25/02/2026

Social Employment Fund (SEF) Enterprise Development Spotlight:

My name is Brian Thwala, and I am from Umthwalume, near Port Shepstone. I am a young entrepreneur passionate about building sustainable businesses and creating employment in my community.

I run MR_CLEAN_SNEAKER_WASH, offering professional sneaker cleaning, colour restoration, sole whitening, repainting, shoe polishing, and upholstery cleaning for car seats, sofas, beds, and carpets.

I started this business after noticing a gap in my community for professional and affordable cleaning services. I have always believed that looking clean and presentable boosts confidence, and I wanted to provide that service locally.

Starting with limited equipment and minimal capital, I handled everything myself, including cleaning, marketing, customer service, and finances. Over time, my business grew in customer trust, service quality, and professionalism.

The SEF Programme and support from Lima helped me strengthen my business structure, improve record-keeping, and manage cash flow. The programme boosted my confidence and helped me think strategically about growth and sustainability.

One of my proudest achievements is building a recognized brand within my community, earning trust and referrals from satisfied customers.

Looking ahead, I aim to expand MR_CLEAN_SNEAKER_WASH into a fully equipped cleaning hub, create jobs for young people, and open branches in nearby areas. I am grateful to Lima, SEF, and my mentor for believing in my business and investing in my growth.

20/02/2026

The Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) Workshop was held over five days, with 22 participants from !Kheis Municipality and Kenhardt attending. Of these, 10 participants are beneficiaries of the Scatec Social Support Club Programme.

AVP is an international peacebuilding programme that promotes empathy, cooperation, and effective communication. The workshop included Basic and Advanced sessions, as well as the Masculinity Men’s Project (Imbadu), which focused on positive masculinity and reflection among male participants.

This training forms part of the Social Employment Fund (SEF) project’s efforts to build capacity for Gender-Based Violence awareness and prevention. Participants shared powerful reflections, including: “I learned that if you cannot control your feelings, it can lead to violence,” and “There are no bad people, only people’s actions are bad.”

Through programmes like AVP, participants are empowered with tools, awareness, and confidence to build more peaceful, respectful, and supportive communities.

18/02/2026

Training was recently provided to the Social Employment Fund (SEF) agricultural teams across the South Coast, Matatiele, uMhlathuze, uMlalazi, Ngqushwa and Great Kei.

The training focuses on helping communities grow their own nutritious vegetables using locally available and low-cost materials, turning everyday waste into valuable resources. Participants also learned practical garden layouts that protect and improve soil health naturally, without expensive inputs.

This initiative empowers families to produce their own healthy food, promotes sustainable living, and shows that anyone can start a garden, even with limited space or land.