WILLIAM Molekoa wants to change the crocodile farming industry.
The 66-year-old crocodile farmer from Mookgophong, Limpopo, said his love for crocodiles resulted in him resigning from his interpreter job at the CCMA in Polokwane.
He said he then volunteered to clean crocodile dams at Albert Pretorius’ farm in Bela Bela for six months.
“I sacrificed my job to acquire as much information and knowledge about crocodile farming as possible,” he said.
He started his own crocodile farm in 2013 and now has 4 000 crocodiles.
He told Daily Sun: “ I am working towards covering the entire value chain, from breeding and slaughtering, to processing skins and meat and manufacturing belts, shoes and bags and exporting them.”
He buys eggs from commercial farmers and use their hatcheries before taking young crocs to hot rooms.
When they turn a year old, he takes them to the dams where he feeds and cares for them until they are ready to be slaughtered.
William has received R1,8 million funding from the Department of Trade Industry’s aquaculture development and enhancement programme.
“I am grateful to the department and crocodile farmer Albert Pretorius, who mentored me. I’m optimistic I will achieve my ambitions,” he said.
