Farm General Worker (Vegetable Fields)

Harvest time on a deciduous fruit orchard near Mthatha means early mornings, full crates and paid overtime. It's the kind of job where doing the basics well every day gets you noticed.

You'll be based at a deciduous fruit orchard in Mthatha. Living nearby, or on a taxi route to it, really helps. There's a probation period of three months before the contract is confirmed.

• Wash hands and use the field toilets for food safety
• Fill crates or bins and carry them to the collection point
• Weed beds by hand or with a hoe
• Tie up tomato and pepper plants in tunnels
• Clean and store picking bags, ladders and secateurs

• Valid ID or work permit
• Available for the full harvest season
• Careful with fruit, since bruised fruit is rejected
• Able to work outdoors in heat, cold and rain
• Follows farm hygiene and safety rules
• Willing to start at sunrise

• Seasonal accommodation on some farms
• Farm transport from nearby towns
• Chance of a permanent post after good seasons

• Farms hire before the season starts, so apply four to six weeks early. Late arrivals often find the teams already full.
• If you have picked before, say which crop and how many seasons. Farms rehire experienced pickers first.