Business

Ronald and Venessa Juckes of Venron Border Collies in Heidelberg, Gauteng, have dedicated 37 years to the breed. Known for producing exceptional dogs and raising breed standards in South Africa, Ronald is also an esteemed judge on both local and international stages.

Feeding a growing population while protecting natural resources demands innovative thinking and strong voices to move science out of research papers and into public discourse. Lindi Botha spoke to scientist Enrike Maree about making science part of the conversation.

Earlier this year, Hartenberg Wine Estate, owned by the Mackenzie family, became the first wine farm in South Africa, and the second in the world, to achieve regenerative verification under the Ecological Outcome Verification framework. Viticulturist Wilhelm Joubert shared the lessons they have learnt on this transformative journey with Glenneis Kriel.

In December 2015, Dr Erna Blancquaert made history when she became the first woman of colour in Africa to obtain a PhD in viticulture. She is now a lecturer and researcher in grapevine and wine sciences at Stellenbosch University.

Zoleka Dikana was raised on an agricultural homestead, which resulted in her passion for farming. She now runs her Aruzabis farming business on 21ha of arable land near the Maya village in the Chris Hani Municipality District.

On the family-owned Alberta Songo’s Farm in Bengu Village, Lady Frere, in the Eastern Cape, Sive Songo runs Bonani Entities, a burgeoning agricultural enterprise in South Africa’s nascent hemp industry.

Phumza Sifingo runs Cingisita Piggery in Kidd’s Beach. Sifingo began her operation in 2019 with only 10 pigs, but with the help of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA), her operation now includes a 50-sow unit.

Many know Klein Roosboom as a wine brand shaped by Karin de Villiers’s strong vision. But behind the wine lies a deeper story – one of enduring love, shared dreams, and resilience. Karin spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the journey.

Nomagcina Suduka started her farming business, Ingarise Poultry, in 2022. It is located in the Mangqukela Village in the Eastern Cape’s Great Kei Local Municipality.

Nobuzwe Mabona is a name quickly becoming synonymous with African printing designs. Based in Zwelitsha in the Eastern Cape, Mabona owns and operates her own textile design printing company.

Simpiwe Somdyala, CEO of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency, speaks about the agency’s ambitious plans to significantly increase agricultural production in the province.

Selinah Ntjana, a Limpopo farmer and entrepreneur, is advocating the various benefits of goats through books, skincare, and wellness products. She spoke to Sabrina Dean about her brand, Selinah The Goat.

Patricia Beleng, owner of Buhlebenkosi Agri Productions, is a determined farmer who went from raising broilers in her backyard to running a poultry business supplying hundreds of chickens to the local market. Lindi Botha reports on the partnerships that brought her success.

Dr Ilse Trautmann, deputy director-general for Agricultural Research and Regulatory Services, has helped drive the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s success as one of the country’s best-performing departments. She spoke to Glenneis Kriel about her career, management philosophy, and lessons learnt.

As we celebrate Women’s Month, Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to Dr Hlamalani Ngwenya about her remarkable journey from a home economics teacher to a globally recognised leader in agricultural extension, and the broader agri-food systems. Through resilience, purpose, and a deep belief in people, Ngwenya continues to open doors for women in agriculture.

Siphiwe Sithole is on a mission to establish a culture of food abundance. She spoke to Sabrina Dean about her business, African Marmalade, and how it harnesses the potential of indigenous products grown by smallholder farmers.

Living Hope, a faith-based non-profit organisation in the Western Cape, offers fully funded experiential training in intensive fresh produce production to young, aspiring farmers. Nan Smith visited the organisation to find out more.

As the 2025 Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year, Francois Rossouw Jnr is part of a new generation of producers blending tradition with forward-thinking strategies in sustainability, technology, and people-centred leadership.

The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation works on behalf of red meat producers to ultimately improve their sustainability.

Organic and biodynamic farming practices have been used at Reyneke Wines since the early 1990s. Johan Reyneke, owner of the estate, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his production philosophy.