Three South African Cousins Turn Abandoned School Into Academy That Has Trained 20,000 Workers

• Three cousins from Limpopo, South Africa, transformed an abandoned school into the Bokamoso Farmers' Academy, an agricultural training center
• The academy operates on a 130-hectare farm, has trained more than 20,000 agricultural workers and created around 50 jobs
• The project has generated an estimated KSh 3.6 million in economic activity, earning praise from social media users who say the initiative could inspire similar community projects across the country.

Three cousins from a rural village in South Africa have earned praise after turning an abandoned school into an agricultural training centre that provides skills, creates jobs and supports the local economy.

Jerry Tjale, Tys Tjale and James Tjale, from Mosehleng village in Limpopo province, established the Bokamoso Farmers' Academy in 2017. They saw potential in a derelict school building that had fallen into disuse and set out to turn it into a facility where people could learn practical agricultural skills.

The name “Bokamoso” means “future” in Sotho, a language spoken in South Africa and other parts of southern Africa. The name reflects the cousins' vision of creating opportunities for people in their community.

Cousins turn abandoned school into agricultural training centre

Renovations on the former school began in 2021 but were later paused before resuming in 2023. The site has since developed into an agricultural academy operating across a 130-hectare farm.

For readers unfamiliar with the measurement, 130 hectares is equivalent to 1.3 square kilometres, or about 321 acres.

According to a feature by African Farm journalist Lebogang Mashala, the academy has trained more than 20,000 agricultural workers and served over 500 clients through its programmes.

The project has also created approximately 50 jobs and generated an estimated KSh 3.6 million in economic activity, equivalent to R5 million in South African currency.

The academy's work demonstrates how abandoned buildings can potentially be repurposed into facilities that support vocational training, employment and rural development as reported by Briefly News.

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South Africans react to the cousins' achievement

The project attracted positive reactions after Good News South Africa shared the story on Facebook on 19 October 2026.

Several South Africans praised the cousins for investing in their community and creating opportunities in a rural area.

Siphosakhe Vuso said:

"This is a very, very, very good idea to transform these schools to be the community development centres to empower the people in rural areas."

Kelelo Molapo added:

"There are thousands of abandoned schools in SA; government should give it back to the community to utilise it."

Richard Brueton wrote:

"Well done, this is what we need instead of G Wagons and Lamborghinis!"

Richard Mali shared:

"Great stuff, and please keep up the good work guys; you're real patriots and great nation builders. May God bless you with lots of goodwill and prosperity in your outstanding community building project."

The comments reflect support for the idea that unused school buildings could be converted into community facilities rather than being left vacant.

Why the Bokamoso Farmers' Academy project matters

Rural communities in many countries face challenges such as limited employment opportunities, access to vocational training and underused public infrastructure. Projects like the Bokamoso Farmers' Academy show how local initiatives can help address some of these challenges.

By converting an abandoned school into an agricultural training hub, the Tjale cousins have created a place where people can develop skills linked to farming and agricultural work.

The reported job creation and economic activity also demonstrate the potential for agricultural initiatives to contribute to local livelihoods.

The project has prompted some South Africans to suggest that more abandoned schools across the country could be put to productive use by communities.

For the people of Mosehleng village and the wider Limpopo province, the academy represents an effort to turn a neglected building into a resource for training, employment and future development.

Source: TUKO.co.ke