By Neo Kolane
Local farmer, ‘Maretṧepile Kopo, participated in a workshop where she and her male counterparts were groomed in rearing milk goats.
That participation lead to her starting her own business Bokamoso Dairy Goat and Farm Products in 2019.
Her business was named after one of her goats.
She explained that a former colleague also played a part as she is the one who suggested her to be a part of the workshop.
The 41-year old farmer said she met up with Thaele Ramajoe, her mentor, who then assisted and travelled with her to buy two goats in South Africa’s Northern Cape province. Each goat cost M5 500.
At the moment, Kopo has six nanny goats and a young one; they are of three different breeds, namely British Alpine, Saanen and Toggenburg goat.
In an interview with theReporter this week, the pre-school teacher said she sells milk, cheese and soap which she makes from the comfort of her home at Naleli Ha Rasetimela with the help of her “three beautiful daughters.”
She also does workshop training for aspirant goat dairy products farmers.
As a goat dairy farmer, Kobo explained that goat milk falls under super foods because it is naturally homogenised and it is a source of many essential nutrients and minerals that the body needs for good health.
“Goat milk has a high source of protein, phosphorus, iodine, vitamin A and calcium and helps to reduce blood pressure, aids in maintaining strong bones and stimulates growth and overall good health.
“The reason for this is that goats browse when they graze and do not graze on the same food every day.
“Goats love to feed on leafy plants. They enjoy eating a huge variety of plant types and they are quite resistant to plant toxins,” she explained.
Kopo, who at 16 was also involved in an accident which left a puncture in her kidney, discovered that goat milk had medicinal properties as she has now stopped taking the drugs.
She also recounted that she used to have a back pain which has dwindled over time.
During a visit to her house this week, the publication watched Kopo as she milked a nanny goat while it fed; the concentration showed how passionate Kopo is about her little ‘babies’ as she calls them.
She said she prefers to use her hands rather than a milking machine. She added that her future plan is to have a milking parlour fully equipped with machines.
She explained that because of lack of training for goat dairy farmers, their businesses do not do well as they fail to get many things right.
“That is why I am now introducing a workshop for aspiring farmers and old farmers introducing new ways of rearing goats and taking care of them” she explained.
Kopo is also introducing farmers to source for the right breeds by engaging people who are experts in the field.
This led to the success of her recent workshop which was on November 12 where the turn-out was impressive.
Most of her customers prefer milk product still fresh.
Fresh goat milk litre costs M20, and five litre fetches M95 while sour milk one litre is costing M25 with a two litre bottle costing M48
To get the goat milk ‘Maretṧepile Kopo can be contacted on +266-6390 4915.
