The landscape and warm sunny days make the Letsitele region in Limpopo a perfect tourist destination. Although agriculture plays a big role in revenue creation for the region, a lot of effort is placed on strengthening the tourism aspect of the area.
The first stop on the tour of the region is Kaross handicraft artilier. This workshop was established as a means to help the local ladies generate sustainable income. We get a front-row view of their stunning beaded craft pieces and get to understand the labour that goes into making each item.
Tzaneen is considered the commercial hub of the Letsitele region. The town is a gateway to the lowveld and is considered by many to be citrus heaven. Llandi van der Walt, Chairperson of the Tzaneen Chamber of commerce tells us more about this agriculture-driven area and the different agriculture-related products that can be found there. She takes us through the different charming tourist attractions of the town, showcasing just how much this little area has to offer.
Next up we visit the Du Roi nursery and focus on the nardocott cultivar, responsible for the famously delicious clemengold mandarin. Zylon McGaffin, General Manager of Du Roi Nursery talks to us about the different cultivars developed within the company and the difference between Mandarin and clementgold. Mcgaffin also talks us through the different stages of the development of a cultivar.
Lindie Stroebel is in studio talking to Rozanne about the citrus value chain. She especially stresses the importance of Lindie of being cognizant of the needs of small traders. She then takes us through citrus cultivar selection and what needs to be considered before deciding on a cultivar. Theo chats to ClemenGold founder Abram van Rooyen and together, they unpack what it has taken for the South African citrus industry to grow to the level that it has today.
In the next episode, Nation in Conversation travels to Bainsvlei, just outside Bloemfontein in the Free State, to take a closer look at the wheat Industry. To catch the program's repeat, check in at kykNET, Fridays at 13:00, Saturdays at 17:30, Sundays at 17:00, Tuesdays at 16:30 and Wednesdays at 14:00.
Don't miss the next 9 weeks of the 13-week series where we tackle onions, livestock, nurseries, forestry, beetroot, Nampo Harvest Day, wheat, cotton, pecan nuts and citrus. It is broadcast weekly, every Thursday evening at 18:00 on kykNET, from now until 27 June 2019.