Gauteng’s West Rand cannabis hub is starting to take shape with a partnership between VitaCann Pharm and the provincial government . Gauteng’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's (GDARD) R2 million incubation investment in Vita-Cann’s hemp facility is paying off.

The funds were sourced from the Department’s Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) for high-tech infrastructural development and the project also benefited from the research partnership between GDARD and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for CBD product development.

VitaCann Pharm’s cannabis journey began with five years ago with a vision in  Zaid Mohidin’s head and an old, small shipping container. Today, it is a fully-operational commercial processing facility, employing 78 people and positioned to support emerging industrial cannabis farmers.

GDARD MEC MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa (pictured above with VitaCann Pharm's nursery behind) hailed the Carltonville industrial cannabis facility as an inspiration to emerging farmers during a site inspection at the end of October 2024.

She acknowledged the positive contribution made by VitaCann Pharm to the “Made in GP” programme, GDARD’s push for local commercialisation and sustainable job creation. She said VitaCann Pharm was a ‘great reminder that there is unlimited potential to grow a hemp production business in South Africa.”

The Department’s Chief Director for Agro-processing, Motlatjo Makaepea says the next step will be to use the VitaCann facility to process the cannabis harvests of small-scale growers in western Gauteng and the Vaal Triangle.

“Through a planned intervention of establishing cannabis/hemp hubs in the West Rand District and Sedibeng District, small-scale hemp farmers who opt to participate in an incubation and aggregation programme would be supported to cultivate and harvest in accordance with the given programme and bring their harvested hemp for drying at the VitaCann Pharm supported by GDARD,” he said.

Under this arrangement, VitaCann Pharm would then supply seedlings to small-scale hemp farmers and further facilitate the processing of the harvested hemp.

Makaepa said that “apart from achieving the government- recommended objective for radical economic transformation and modernisation, the highly computerised hemp production company has also helped create employment.

“It has 78 employees (25 permanent and 53 temporary). Of these, 38 are female, 40 are male, and 43 are youth. “

One of VitaCann Pharm’s employees said that finding employment at VitaCann Pharm, working as an administrator was “a life-changing experience.”

“I was employed here in March 2023 and before that, I was an assistant teacher, said Betty Mcuza during DARD’s tour of the facility. .“This job has changed my life a lot, I can work with people and change their lives as well as mine.”

Most significantly VitaCann Pharm is also earning foreign exchange through exporting value-added hemp products.

MEC Ramokgopa said the was optimistic that another start up with similar humble beginnings, would also be a success story. She was referring to a  Kgagiso Township backyard hemp farm and its herbal oil (including hemp) business, Devo’r.

Dev’or’s administration officer Mathana Makgora says the hemp oil they produce is good for growing hair into afros and dreadlocks. The business is supplying 10 pharmacies and markets its herbal products online.

“This is inspiring, I hope you continue to grow from strength to strength,” said MEC Ramokgopa to the Dev’or family business representatives.

“You have already started working with the Department (GDARD) and I hope one day you can be the L’Oréal of South Africa.”

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