Barnen Village, Limpopo – Evelyn Setati, a 35-year-old agripreneur and owner of MBK SBL Projects, is cultivating change in her community with the support of Soutpan Solar Power’s Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme. Her chilli farming business, based in Barnen Village near Bochum, is one of 17 youth-led agricultural enterprises receiving structured development support aimed at promoting local employment, sustainability, and food security, while also creating opportunities to supply well-known national household brands.
This small farming enterprise currently supplies the Polokwane and Tshwane Fresh Produce markets, with aspirations to secure formal supply agreements with national buyers such as Nando’s and Robertson’s. The business operates on 1 hectare of a 500-hectare plot and aims to expand production to 5 hectares in the coming year.
Access to reliable water has been one of the main barriers to scaling production. To address this, Soutpan Solar Power began supporting the business in April 2024 with critical infrastructure upgrades, including irrigation and fencing. Plans are also in place to install a solar-powered borehole to ensure year-round water access and reduce vulnerability to drought and power outages.
“The support from Soutpan Solar Power is crucial. With adequate water, I can now expand and actualise my dream of increasing my chilli production. This is also a stepping stone for future growth into potatoes and chilli value addition,” said Evelyn Setati, owner of MBK SBL Projects.
The enterprise currently employs two permanent staff and fifteen seasonal workers. With the planned expansion and the introduction of value-added processing such as chilli sauces and pastes, employment is projected to grow significantly. The business aims to double its permanent staff, expand its seasonal workforce to 30, and create an additional nine positions through agro-processing and future potato farming.
This project supports sustainable farming practices through the use of solar energy and water-efficient drip irrigation, reducing the farm’s carbon footprint and ensuring continued operations during power outages. In addition, Evelyn is mentoring a local female farmer and hopes to expand this support as her enterprise grows, contributing to knowledge sharing and broader economic upliftment in the community.
“This small business stood out due to the entrepreneur’s dedication and resilience—Evelyn made progress without waiting for help. Our intervention has already turned underutilised land into productive farmland. Furthermore, the long-term value will come from crop diversification, job creation, and mentorship, benefiting the broader community,” said Noluthando Mazibuko, Economic Development Specialist at Soutpan Solar Power.
This initiative forms part of the solar farm’s broader youth development efforts, which provide local entrepreneurs with access to infrastructure, training, mentorship, and compliance support. The programme aims to unlock long-term, inclusive growth in the Capricorn District by supporting businesses that drive both economic and social impact.
