In this episode of K2C Voices, Lauren Booth, K2C Communications Officer and Lethabo Rasakanya, SMME Development Officer, joined HFMStream to unpack how the Hoedspruit Farmers Market has become a space where conservation, community and commerce meet.
Lauren described how the K2C Non-Profit Company, established in 2011, is a platform to access funding for projects aligned with the Biosphere’s UNESCO MaB mandate of biodiversity conservation & sustainable livelihood development.
A key example of its community work is the Hoedspruit Farmers Market, managed under the K2C umbrella since 2019. Lauren and Lethabo highlighted how the market offers small-scale farmers, crafters and producers access to local and tourism markets in Hoedspruit, while nurturing social cohesion. “Come for the shopping, stay for the community,” Lauren said, describing how vendors support each other and shoppers are not just customers – the market is a meeting point for friends to catch up and connect each month.
Lethabo highlighted how the Hoedspruit Farmers Market, now managed independently by Lauren but still with support from the Biosphere, has evolved into a vibrant ecosystem of small businesses. Through SMME training, mentorship and networking, vendors are growing from micro-entrepreneurs into established suppliers, building livelihoods that benefit both their families and the wider community.
💬 “Every vendor represents their wider community – when they thrive, their whole village benefits.” – Lethabo Rasakanya
This episode captures the essence of K2C’s work: connecting sustainable opportunities between people and nature. When communities thrive alongside ecosystems, sustainability becomes a shared story of belonging, empowerment and pride. 🌍
Thank you to HFM Stream for giving K2C this platform to share our story!