06 Feb 2017

With government programmes within reach, Ms Selinah Logare of Moshupa is among those who seized the opportunity to use such programmes to ward off poverty.

In an interview, Ms Logare said she took pride in her forestry business since she was now able to provide for herself and family.

She said she had always been fascinated by tree planting, but lacked financial muscle to start the business and with government assistance, her dream was realised.

She said for some time, she planted trees for leisure and to decorate her home but people took notice and her business was born, resulting in her approaching the Department of Social and Community Development for financial assistance.

It was in2013, through the Department of Forestry and Range Resources (DFRR), that she was given all the necessities including net, plastics, tank and hosepipe to start the ball rolling.

Ms Logare, also a famous potter, said the forestry business complemented her already existing pottery one that went by the name Tshegetsa Ngwao Pottery.

“The businesses are well suited as both can be used for decorative purposes and all operate from home”.

Ms Logare said she was trained in landscaping and forestry management, both of which had come in handy in her business.

She said most of the time she treated plant diseases herself but for complicated ones she consulted the DFRR.

She said she planted fruit and decorative trees since they served different purposes and prices range from P25 to P50 depending on the type and size of a tree.

She advised that trees were a good source of oxygen noting that they also gave the home an aesthetic look and scent.

Moreover, she said some were used for medicinal purposes, adding people must understand that the environment must be protected and cared for, for it to provide healthy food. ENDS