Lima Rural Development Foundation

12/12/2025

Through support from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), rural enterprises are gaining vital tools to grow, strengthening food security, boosting local economies, and creating meaningful jobs. Farmers in the programme have benefited from upgraded infrastructure, essential inputs, and hands-on technical support that improve long-term stability and productivity.

Lima plays a key role by assessing applications, conducting site visits, training farmers, engaging stakeholders, and providing tailored post-investment support.

Necton Farm is one of the programme’s standout successes. After receiving 3,800 Highliner Silver Brown layer chickens in October 2025, egg production rose from 5 to about 30 crates a day. Funded support, including a fully equipped structure, four months of feed, cages, egg trays, and an Isuzu single-cab bakkie, has kept operations running smoothly. Consistent feeding, cleaning, and waste management continue to support excellent flock performance.

The farm now employs five permanent staff and hosts two Fort Cox students, while expanding its market reach with branded eggs and strong interest from buyers such as Rhodes University, Spar, Pick n Pay, and Lalibella Game Lodge.

09/12/2025

Through the Risepreneur Programme, young entrepreneurs are empowered with mentorship, skills training, and the opportunity to pitch their business ideas. We are excited to share that Thobeka and Kgothatso, two of our interns, were selected as programme finalists after completing rigorous business assessments and pitch preparation.

They confidently presented their enterprises, Thobeka specialising in sneakers and dresses. Their strong presentation earned them a Group 2 Reward, along with a prize and a certificate of recognition.

This achievement reflects their dedication, growth, and passion for entrepreneurship. The programme has equipped them with valuable skills in pitching, marketing, customer relations, financial planning, and business development, strengthening their vision for the future of their business.

We are incredibly proud of Thobeka and Kgothatso and look forward to seeing them continue to rise!

03/12/2025

28/11/2025

This weeks Open Day didn’t just highlight partnerships, it celebrated the heart of the AGGP Enterprise Development Programme: our entrepreneurs!

From agro-processing and catering to haircare, retail, and innovative township services, beneficiaries proudly showcased their businesses through vibrant exhibition stalls. Each display reflected real growth, dedication, and the confidence that comes with skills training, mentorship, and market exposure.

The AGGP programme, implemented by Lima and supported by Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies, is strengthening the rural–township local economy by:
• Providing hands-on enterprise development support
• Building practical business skills
• Creating a network of peer support
• Enabling entrepreneurs to grow, formalise, and access new opportunities

Our beneficiaries are proof that when young entrepreneurs are equipped with the right tools and support, they become drivers of change in their communities.

Thank you to every enterprise that showcased their journey, your hard work and innovation inspire us all.

27/11/2025

Yesterday, Lima proudly hosted the AGGP Open Day in Hammarsdale, a powerful celebration of collective impact and the remarkable growth of our programme’s entrepreneurs.

Beneficiaries from the AGGP Enterprise Development Programme showcased their businesses through inspiring exhibition stalls, demonstrating real progress in strengthening the rural–township local economy.

Speakers included Lynnette Parsons, Lima Managing Director, who expressed appreciation to our partners and congratulated the entrepreneurs on their impressive growth; Mrs Nomfundo Dlamini, Head of Ecosystem Enablement at Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy SA, who spoke on the importance of Public–Private Partnerships in rural–township economic development; and representatives from KZN EDTEA, eThekwini Metro Local Economic Development, and Hammarsdale–KwaXimba Enterprises, who shared key insights on strengthening local economic ecosystems.

Delegates visited stalls where beneficiaries proudly showcased their enterprises, highlighting the progress made through consistent mentorship and support. Thank you to all our partners and to everyone who has contributed to this journey of shared value.

21/11/2025

Today, we stand in solidarity with the
Gender-Based Violence affects women, children, and families in every community. It is not a distant issue; it is a daily reality for many people.

At Lima, we recognise that safety and dignity are essential for true development. This year, through our Social Employment Fund (SEF) programme, we have added GBV awareness and support as a training theme, ensuring that participants and communities have the knowledge, tools, and safe spaces to speak about this crisis.

As the country pauses today to highlight the urgent need to end GBV, we stand with the women and communities calling for change.

Without women, communities cannot thrive. Without safety, development cannot happen.

💜 Wear black
💜 Amplify the message:
💜 At 12pm: 15 minutes of silence, for the 15 women murdered every day

18/11/2025

Lima, together with South Deep Gold Mine and GDARD, recently hosted a Grain Information Day for 34 South Deep host community farmers. The event brought farmers and agricultural experts together to explore practical ways to strengthen crop production, improve farm management and build resilience within the grain sector.

Partners including Pannar Seeds, GDARD, Senwes and Marksure shared valuable insights on sustainable farming, market opportunities, post-harvest practices and risk management.

This session created a meaningful platform for farmers to connect with experts, ask questions, share experiences, and explore new ways to boost productivity and resilience in their farming operations.

At Lima, we remain committed to supporting smallholder farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive.

12/11/2025

30/10/2025

Contract Engineer position– FIDIC Specialist (Lesotho Highlands Project)
Interested candidates contact janine@adease.co.za

30/10/2025

We are well underway with our Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) sessions as part of the Lima Township Economy Programme, an enterprise development initiative funded by Valterra Platinum Mine through the Tshikululu Social Investments Fund, with Lima as the implementing partner.

Each session so far has seen an incredible community turnout and participation, a testament to the energy and commitment within these local economies.

Through this programme, we aim to connect with local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and key partners to build capacity, share knowledge, and create opportunities for inclusive economic growth.

17/10/2025

The Lima facilitation team, in partnership with South Deep Gold Mine and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, hosted a vegetable production training at Sakata Seeds in Lanseria!

Eighteen farmers from the South Deep host communities took part in this practical and informative session, which covered market trends, seasonal demand, record keeping, financial literacy, and access to local markets.

Farmers also received hands-on training in land preparation, soil testing, seed selection, crop rotation, pest and disease management, irrigation techniques, and post-harvest handling, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to boost productivity and improve crop quality.

Participants expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Lima, South Deep Mine, GDARD, and Sakata Seeds teams for empowering them with valuable skills that support sustainable and profitable farming.

10/10/2025

Meet Silindile Radebe, a 26-year-old entrepreneur and proud mother to her four-year-old son. Her journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Although she initially pursued a law degree, financial challenges forced her to pause her studies. But Silindile’s drive never wavered; she describes herself as witty, fast-thinking, and deeply passionate about problem-solving.

A self-taught nail technician, Silindile discovered her purpose in the beauty industry not just to make women feel beautiful, but to empower them with confidence.

Silindile was introduced to the Lima TRAC Programme through a friend, who encouraged her to join the New Venture Creation (NVC) training. Although she’s only recently begun her journey with us, she already speaks passionately about the lessons she’s learned, from pricing her services correctly to managing customers and finances effectively.

“The TRAC Programme has helped me bridge my education with action,” she says. “It’s given me the confidence to run my business more professionally and stay true to who I am.”

Looking ahead, Silindile dreams of expanding her nail and beauty business and one day launching her own training courses to empower young women. She hopes to inspire others in her community to adopt a growth mindset, shifting from dependency to empowerment, while also returning to complete her commercial law degree.

Her advice to others starting their journey:
“You only live once, don’t be scared to start something. Believe in yourself, trust in the challenges as they are the road to success. Failure makes you stronger.”

TracN4 Toll Route