Empowering Women Through Meaningful Work: Meet Nicolène Van Wyk of a Rooibos Farm

Posted on: 26 • 02 • 2021
 

My name is Nicolène Van Wyk, I am 22 years old, and I have been working on the rooibos plantation at Bo Dam Farm in Vredendal for the past three years. I enjoy working with my colleagues, who respect me as a woman. Unfortunately, I am the only woman working here, and I would love to have a female colleague so that I wouldn’t feel so alone!

On the farm, we are responsible for harvesting, cutting, and drying the rooibos before it is transported to another facility for storage and grading according to rooibos quality standards.

COVID-19 has hit South Africa hard, but in rural areas we have been able to continue working while minimizing contact and following health recommendations as we awaited the arrival of vaccines.

My partner also works year-round with Hans’s team, harvesting rooibos.

I am responsible for administrative tasks and for weighing the rooibos harvested between January and March. To take on these responsibilities, I completed professional training in administration.

I really enjoy learning and developing new skills, and I would love to take a first-aid course. Thanks to Hans, I will soon begin driving lessons to obtain my driver's license, which makes me both excited and a little nervous.

I am very grateful to him because very few women in rural areas have a driver's license. It is a wonderful opportunity.

Thanks to the Fair for Life program, we benefit from training opportunities, communication equipment, and community initiatives, such as providing food baskets for elderly people.

My job allows me to cover my basic needs such as rent, food, and clothing, and I do not have children yet. Medical services, doctors, and medicines are provided by the government. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time at home, cooking and reading. But if I have the opportunity, I would one day like to work in the social sector to help others!

Nicolène

nicolene-rooibos-bio
distribution colis rooibos
 
Posted in: Portraits

Related posts