Carara Agro in Currie street brings relief to the unemployed residents of Makana. This labour-intensive cherry pepper processing plant started to operate in 2005, and provides seasonal jobs to hundreds of local workers, mostly women, to grade, sort, wash, pickle, and pack the peppers.

Managing Director Mike Duxbury says they provide employment opportunities to the local residents.

“We employ about 700 people in our factory. Eighty of them are permanent employees, they are in middle management, while the rest are seasonal workers,” explained Duxbury.

He said “There are two shifts per day, the morning shift starts at 4am, and the afternoon shift starts at 4pm.”

He added that the company exports 99% of their products.

He says they are looking for other products to increase the market. “We will produce patty pans, if the market is available, and in so doing we will be able to extend the period of employment for our employees,” he said.