“I have lived here for more than four decades,” says Miriam Mogwane, “Kloofwaters is home.” But not always an easy one for her and the impoverished community that live so close to the economic hub of southern Africa (Johannesburg), and yet far away enough, where jobs are so scarce, despite the natural beauty. Born in the area 70 years ago to a Tswana family, Miriam went to school long before school buses were there to transport children. Her mother and father did not have money for school, so she had to leave when she was 12 years old. Once she had left school, Miriam got a job at a nearby nursery and learned how to grow flowers and various plants and herbs, working there for 5 years before her first child was born. It was then that she moved to Kloofwaters and began working as a domestic worker on the farm. “There was not even electricity then,” she laughs, “And we had to light candles in every room of the farmhouse at night.” Electricity and hot water came many years later. She raised her 7 children from there, three of whom are now buried on the land, and whose children she has raised too. She has been mother (and father) to many, she says stoically. One of those grandchildren is Ona, who is still at school, but the aspiring beekeeper and farmer who assists with the activities on the farm community. Miriam grows as much of her own food as she can – pigs, chickens and vegetables, even fruit. She also makes delicious lime marmalade. Work is scarce as the farm only provides one day each week currently, so turning the farm lands into food and potential income, is key to the thriving of this small community.