Empowerment

Anton Alexander, 2016 Western Cape Prestige Agri Worker of the Year, started working as a general worker and rose through the ranks to become a human resources officer on Ouwerf Farm near Vyeboom. He spoke to Jeandré du Preez about his journey to success and what the award meant to him.

In response to the devastating drought in their area, a group of Hluhluwe commercial farmers has exemplified the spirit of ubuntu by assisting communal farmers.

Lesedi Day Care was established by Katlego Sitrus to provide a safe and nurturing environment for farmworkers’ children. Wilma den Hartigh visited the farm school near Marble Hall.

Neville Fletcher of Cathcart in the Eastern Cape is an extraordinary man. A war veteran who saw action in the fierce Italian campaign, he returned to South Africa to enjoy a long, highly successful farming career. As if that were not enough, he was a national champion in both tennis and gymkhana. Mike Burgess visited him.

Walter Gouveia and Kobus Schoeman believe it is up to younger farmers to break the mould of conventional farming practices and stereotypes and farm sustainably for the future. They now mentor students to ensure that this message is widely spread.

More than two decades into South Africa’s democracy, progress in righting the wrongs of land ownership patterns established by the Natives Land Act of 1913, has been dismally slow. Moreover, few workable solutions are in sight.

Communal farmers often struggle with low birth and survival rates amongst their livestock. Determined to change this, empowerment company, Mngcunube Development, is now in its third decade of supplying animal health products to farmers. Mike Burgess visited the Elundini municipal area of the former Transkei.

An old Eastern Cape pineapple farm has been revitalised to provide job opportunities for the local community. This year, the first harvest is expected to earn more than R1,5 million.

Only a handful of black pig producers in South Africa have achieved commercial status. Most run small operations that make only a marginal contribution to total pork production.

Tembeka Mbeshu, the 2016 Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) Emerging Beef Farmer of the Year for the Eastern Cape, runs a herd of about 30 predominantly Bonsmara-type cows in the Elliot district. Mike Burgess visited her to learn how her beef enterprise has helped provide her children with an education.

Mike Mlengana, director-general of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), spoke to Wilma den Hartigh about his plans for the agricultural industry, why he is concerned about the declining number of farmers in South Africa, and why commercial food producers are crucial for the future of the sector.

A total of 7 000ha was transferred to the Mabandla community in Kwazulu-Natal as part of government’s land reform programme. The community has since established several successful ventures, including a commercial forestry enterprise, on the land.

Award-winning farmer, Goodman Ginyigazi, farms over 260 Merino sheep in the rural area of Agnes Rest, in the former Transkei. Despite communal land tenure restrictions, he generates an annual turnover of R120 000 from his sheep alone. He spoke to Mike Burgess about his desire to produce top quality fine wool.

The Donald Woods Foundation (DWF) is working closely with subsistence and small- scale farmers in the former Transkei to boost animal health and overall food security. Grant Hollins visited the Donald Woods Centre in Hobeni to meet with Ralph Spence, who runs the programme on behalf of the DWF.

Although Zandile Cewu grew up on a farm in the former Transkei, she never imagined she would become a full-time farmer. However, when her father died in 2013, Zandile was left in charge of two family farms. After three years of independent farming, determined Zandile has grown the farming operations and confidently faces all its challenges.

A rural development project aimed at empowering female farmers is reaching new levels of success.

While large farming operations appear to be growing bigger, smaller-scale farmers are becoming more diversified and are targeting niche markets. Their high-quality produce is becoming increasingly sought-after by both local and international consumers. Jay Ferreira visited Fan Olivier on Houdconstant farm.

Eight developing maize farmers plan to better themselves and their community through government and private assistance, hard work and a determination to equip themselves with as much knowledge as possible.

A small dairy research farm near Gulu in northern Uganda is benefiting from the expertise of a large US-based dairy operation, Country Dairy. On a recent trip to South Africa, Country Dairy herd manager, SA-born Johan Vosloo, spoke to Gerhard Uys about how similar empowerment models could help stimulate the small- to medium-scale agricultural sector in South Africa.

Small-scale farming operations are just as exposed to risk as their larger counterparts. Diversifying production is therefore also an option on smaller farms to mitigate this risk.