Developing ostriches in Peddie
Since 2003, this Eastern Cape small-scale ostrich farming project has been providing opportunities for farmers to improve their livelihoods. Having overcome stringent biosecurity requirements, the project is set to expand further. Grant Hollins met with Klein Karoo Group Transformation Trust board member, Johannes Jacobs, to learn more.
Mastering the sport of kings in South Africa
Until about two decades ago, SA racehorse breeders tended to purchase stallions that were
very good, but not exceptional. In more recent years, the stallions used in South Africa are
world-class. The Taberer family, owners of the Avontuur Wine Estate near Stellenbosch, have made an important contribution to the sport.
A first in SA maize milling
Soweto businessman Xolani Ndzaba has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. He spoke to Luyolo Mkentane about how he founded Lethabo Milling, SA’s first black-owned milling company.
Simply adding value to honey
Four years ago, Simply Bee was selling bottled honey from 240 hives. Today, the company manufactures more than 50 products from over 600 hives, selling them at 163 outlets across South Africa and exporting them to several countries. Yet every item is still handmade in Hopefield.
The Boer goat: a winning investment
The Boer goat can help to make emerging farmers successful, and they also have a large local and foreign stud market.
Convenience now drives retail choices
The big grocery retailers in the UK underwent considerable growth between 1990 and 2010. In more recent years, this trend has reversed, with most of these supermarkets experiencing a slump in sales. Justin King, former CEO of Sainsbury’s UK, explains the shift in consumer behaviour driving this phenomenon, and the implications for the rest of the retail world.
How teamwork works for KZN’s macadamia growers
Macadamia nuts are in huge demand internationally, yet global production is nowhere near meeting this. A teamwork strategy in KwaZulu-Natal is aiming to take full advantage of the growth potential of South African macadamia production.
Durbanville Hills wine cellar
Over the past three years, Durbanville Hills wine cellar has saved thousands of rands simply by changing the way it uses electricity. Cellar master Martin Moore talked to Glenneis Kriel about these changes.
Sheep farming success in Goshen
When Simon Txoanyana – a retired SANDF member – decided to farm in 1999, he realised he couldn’t afford a commercial farm. Mike Burgess spoke to him about how he instead became a successful communal sheep farmer near Goshen in the former Ciskei, Eastern Cape.
Maize by the bucketful for household producers
An Eastern Cape distributor is marketing a unique maize seed pack to communal homestead maize producers with notable success. Mike Burgess visited Border Seed Distributors to investigate why this product is revolutionising household maize yield in the former Transkei.
Retiring on free-range chickens
Retired broker, Hennie Lamprecht, runs a profitable, free-range chicken farming operation.
Hard work, not handouts, behind this farmer’s success
Frans Malela from Limpopo gave up his city job to farm full time. With no government help, he became an award-winning farmer, growing maize then cotton on leased land. Today, he mentors others.
