In the small town of Botrivier, in the Overberg â an area known as the breadbasket of the Cape, agriculture is the lifeblood of the community. Supporting the sustainability of one of the townâs largest employers, Alona Fresh Produce, with the provision of an industrial grade generator is therefore crucial. This support, provided through Klipheuwel Wind Farmâs Enterprise Development Programme, is essential for sustaining the employment of over 30 local workers. With significant power outages experienced during the first half of this year, directly impacting their ability to work, the generator ensures that these employeesâmany of whom are the primary earners for their familiesâcan continue to support their livelihoods, regardless of any future load shedding.
âThe most important thing about this business support in the form of the large format generator is that we donât need to send our workers back home if there is a power outage, which means that they can feel safer about their income and get to work a full five-day week,â explained Bryan Swarts, Co-Owner of Alona Fresh Produce.
Founded in 2012 by husband and wife team Bryan and Eleanore Swarts, Alona Fresh Produce started with just two staff members working in ten undercover tomato production tunnels. Over the years, the business has grown to provide jobs for 30 permanent employees and creates additional seasonal opportunities for five part-time workers each year, all sourced from the local community.
The business has built its success on the apple trading model, procuring fruit from local farms and companies, which is then packed under its own brand and sold predominantly to the local market.
In addition to providing employment the company actively gives back to the community. They supply school stationery to the local school, donate meat and vegetables to the church soup kitchen, and recently sponsored the local soccer teamâs transport to their tournament finals in Hermanus.
Nonini Makhothe, Economic Development Specialist at Klipheuwel Wind Farm, highlighted the importance of supporting local SMMEs, âSupporting businesses like Alona Fresh Produce is vital because they are not only providing essential employment opportunities but also contributing to the communityâs overall well-being. By ensuring their operational stability, we are helping to secure the livelihoods of many local families.â
This small business collaborated with Klipheuwel Wind Farm on this project, organising the construction of a concrete slab to support the generator and a protective cage to ensure its security.
