Lima Rural Development Foundation

Lima Rural Development Foundation A non-governmental and non-profit organisation.

Lima implements projects in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State and North West as well as providing consultations throughout Southern Africa.

Lima recently hosted a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) workshops in Mogwase, Mokgalwaneng, Northam, Sandfontein, Mor...
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.

Skills2Care Training: Empowering Our CaregiversMembers of the Social Support Clubs in Kenhardt and !Kheis participated i...
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.

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

Lima, together with the EDF team, recently visited farmers and community gardens as part of the Social Investment Progra...
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.

As part of the Social Employment Fund programme, food security training was conducted in Mbombela during the first week ...
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. 🌿

Social Employment Fund (SEF) Enterprise Development Spotlight:My name is Brian Thwala, and I am from Umthwalume, near Po...
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.

The Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) Workshop was held over five days, with 22 participants from !Kheis Municipalit...
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.

Training was recently provided to the Social Employment Fund (SEF) agricultural teams across the South Coast, Matatiele,...
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.

The Blouberg team, together with Lima’s Managing Director Lynette Parsons, recently conducted farm visits in Avon Villag...
04/02/2026

The Blouberg team, together with Lima’s Managing Director Lynette Parsons, recently conducted farm visits in Avon Village as part of our Smallholder Farmers Support Programme.

The visits provided an opportunity to engage directly with participating farmers, assess progress on the ground, and offer ongoing technical support. The team visited Mr Martin Masipa, who is cultivating piquanté peppers, and Mr Dankuru Abram, who is producing cabbage.

These engagements form part of Lima’s commitment to strengthening smallholder farmers through hands-on support, knowledge sharing, and sustainable agricultural development in partnership with De Beers Group Managed Operations South Africa.

REGENTSE is a youth-led primary cooperative from Devrede Village, Bochum (Blouberg North), formed by Marothi Mamadi, Ref...
28/01/2026

REGENTSE is a youth-led primary cooperative from Devrede Village, Bochum (Blouberg North), formed by Marothi Mamadi, Refentse Rakgoropo, Pearl Manaka and Thabo Molokomme.

The cooperative includes a former Social Employment Fund (SEF) participant and focuses on producing cabbage, butternut and potatoes, while also rearing and selling chickens locally.

After several successful production cycles, the group saved funds and secured 6 hectares of land from the traditional council. They are currently clearing the land in preparation for their next potato production cycle.

REGENTSE forms part of the De Beers Programme, which supports emerging farmers to grow sustainable agricultural enterprises. The cooperative also benefits from strong relationships with neighbouring commercial farmers who assist with machinery and implements.

Lima has supported the cooperative through training in crop and broiler production, helping build skills, confidence and long-term sustainability.

De Beers Group Managed Operations South Africa

Lima has officially entered Phase 4 of the Social Employment Fund (SEF), a programme dedicated to strengthening communit...
23/01/2026

Lima has officially entered Phase 4 of the Social Employment Fund (SEF), a programme dedicated to strengthening communities through meaningful, dignified work opportunities.

As part of the SEF programme, training our participants is essential, equipping them with practical knowledge and skills that support both their current roles and future employment opportunities.

Through our collaboration with Tsibogang NPO, the North West SEF team attended a comprehensive training session focused on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and HIV. The session explored how to identify signs of abuse, understand the impact of GBV on individuals and communities, and apply practical strategies to support survivors.

Participants walked away with strengthened knowledge and practical skills to address GBV and HIV, both in their work and within their communities.

Job Vacancy: Enterprise Development Facilitator - Fixed-term contract- Junior levelRequirements:- Graduate with a qualif...
08/01/2026

Job Vacancy: Enterprise Development Facilitator
- Fixed-term contract
- Junior level

Requirements:
- Graduate with a qualification in either agriculture/ agribusiness/ business studies/ community development or similar
- Driver's license (& must be a competent driver of a manual vehicle)
- Minimum 2 years of working experience
- Experience in stakeholder engagement & working with small businesses
- Computer literate
- Available immediately
- 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗸𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲/ 𝗠𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗸𝘄𝗲𝗻𝗮, 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗽𝗼 (𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱)

Please send CV with traceable references & proof of address to recruitment@lima.org.za

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲:𝟭𝟰 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Address

2 Forresters Lane
Pietermaritzburg
3201

Opening Hours

Monday 07:30 - 16:30
Tuesday 07:30 - 16:30
Wednesday 07:30 - 16:30
Thursday 07:30 - 16:30
Friday 07:30 - 16:30

Telephone

0333429043

Website

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