Tourvest collaborates with government to link rural Mpumalanga farmers to tourism market
Tourvest has handed over the Khomanani Agricultural Hub to connect rural farmers living near Kruger National Park with formal tourism markets. Tourvest has made a significant investment into the initiative to unlock the potential of agricultural infrastructure established by government, while the hub has secured the opportunity to supply fresh produce to Tourvest lodges, restaurants and retail operations – presenting a massive market opportunity for the overall supply chain.
The hub will initially support 100 smallholder farmers from communities surrounding Kruger National Park and Numbi Gate, including Huntington (Hunzukani), Marbarhule, Somerset, Belfast and Nkambeni, as well as neighbouring villages. Many farmers are already producing quality agricultural products but have faced barriers to formal markets, including limited scale, logistics and market access.
Tourvest has appointed U CAN GROW, an agricultural development organisation with experience establishing and managing hubs like this across South Africa, to manage the facility and support participating farmers.
By bringing produce together at one hub, farmers can build the scale needed to meet commercial buyers’ requirements for quality, consistency and volume. The initiative is designed to provide more than production support – it connects farmers to a market.
“I encourage farmers to align their crop and vegetable production with market demand to ensure sustainable participation in formal markets. We commend Tourvest for its commitment to creating market access opportunities that support the growth and development of rural small-scale farmers,” said Nelisiwe Muxwane, representing the Department of Agriculture District Office.
Through collaboration with SANParks, the hub is also expected to open up procurement opportunities from other operators in Kruger National Park. Further opportunities, over time, may include retail markets, institutional procurement, and government nutrition and school-feeding programmes.
At full operational capacity, the initiative has the potential to create approximately 100 direct jobs on participating farms, 10 to 20 permanent jobs at the hub and a further 200 indirect jobs through expanded farming activity and local value chains. The project is expected to sustain more than 300 livelihoods and contribute to enterprise and supplier development, socio-economic development, skills development and community empowerment.
“This initiative is about creating pathways to prosperity,” said Luvhengo Neswiswi, Tourvest Group Chief Executive. “Government has invested in the infrastructure, and Tourvest is investing to unlock its full economic potential. Communities living alongside world-class tourism destinations should share meaningfully in the opportunities they create.”
“Through the Khomanani Agricultural Hub, we are not simply buying produce. We are opening doors for local farmers to become suppliers to the tourism economy, enabling them to build sustainable businesses, create jobs and strengthen local economies. This is what inclusive growth looks like when the public and private sectors work together to create lasting impact.”
Senior Manager for Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) at SANParks, Dr Paul Mpye, said: “Conservation and community development must go hand-in-hand. By connecting local farmers to formal markets, the Agricultural Hub can create tangible economic opportunities for neighbouring communities and strengthen local supply chains. SANParks will further support the Hub through its ESD programme to strengthen the hub, farmer capacity and promote sustainable business growth. It can help ensure the benefits of tourism extend beyond park boundaries, contributing to sustainable livelihoods, job creation and enterprise development around Kruger National Park.”
The Traditional Councils of Jongilanga, Hoxane and Mhaule also expressed their appreciation for Tourvest’s support, and the opportunities created through the tourism economy for rural producers. Traditional leaders said that they remain committed to supporting local farmers to succeed and benefit from the opportunities presented.
The Khomanani Agricultural Hub represents a practical, scalable approach to rural economic development, demonstrating how tourism can help drive enterprise growth, job creation and long-term community empowerment. Together, Government, Tourvest, SANParks and U CAN GROW are working to connect local farmers to tourism markets and help communities participate more fully in the tourism economy.
“And, for Tourvest’s part, this also marks a very exciting and important step aligned to the establishment of the Tourvest Foundation, which is expected to launch formally in 2027. The Foundation’s planned focus areas include quality education, environmental sustainability, community development, skills development and responsible tourism. More information around this will be shared in due course,” said Neswiswi.
