Quick rundown on menopause Things that we ignore

 1. What it is Menopause is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period. The average age in most countries is around 45–55, but it varies.  2. Key phases   Perimenopause: The transition period before menopause, often 4–8 years. Hormones fluctuate, cycles become irregular.   Menopause: The point when ovaries stop releasing eggs and estrogen/progesterone drop.   Postmenopause: The years after menopause. Symptoms often ease, but health risks like osteoporosis and heart disease increase. 3. Common symptoms   Hot flashes + night sweats Irregular periods → then no periods Sleep problems Mood changes, anxiety, or depression   Vaginal dryness, lower libido Bone density loss, joint pain 4. Why it matters for workforce diversity In companies like Amber Distributors, menopause affects women typically in their late 40s to 50s. If your workforce is predominantly male and older, you might miss how menopause impacts productivity, a...

The ups and downs of farming

 26 February 2020 - 07:00

Njabulo Mbokane, emerging farmer.
Njabulo Mbokane, emerging farmer.
Image: Supplied.

A young female maize farmer is taking giant leaps towards becoming a successful commercial farmer.

Njabulo Mbokane (24), the owner of a 200-hectare non-genetically modified organism yellow maize farm, was recently named the South African Breweries (SAB) and FarmSol Young Emerging Farmer of the Year.

The Ermelo-based farmer leases two farms; one in her hometown; where she grows crops, and the other in Lothair; where she raises sheep.

Despite only starting farming in 2016, Mbokane already has a year-on-year maize contract with SAB.

She is part of the FarmSol programme, which is an SAB Thrive Fund initiative aimed at funding Agri-SMMEs; providing technical training and support to emerging farmers; giving access to modern production inputs and patient financing to qualifying enterprises and enabling emerging farmers to find a route to market for their produce.

“FarmSol mentors us and helps us with training. It also assists us in taking samples of the maize and soil.” Mbokane was financially unable to study further after matric but knew that agriculture held many opportunities for people with the will to work hard.

“I started farming because I saw a gap that young people should explore and I went for it.”

Mbokane employs three permanent staff members and hires 15 seasonal employees during peak periods. She is looking to expand her operations to include cattle and vegetables once she has secured her own land and farming equipment.

Having her own tractors, for instance, will enable her to plant on time whereas with hired equipment, she can only plant when the tractor owner has finished his planting.

Mbokane started the farm with her mother’s pension payout and said that young people need not wait for a big break before making a start on their farming dream. “Start with the little that you have, even if it’s the garden in your backyard, and grow from there,” she said.

-This article was originally published in the GCIS Vuk'uzenzele.

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