Photo: Supplied
Stephen Mkwanazi of Mkwananzi Bonstmara, a Bonsmara breeder from near Sentrum in Thabazimbi, was crowned SA Stud Book’s National Elite 2025 Developing Stud Breeder.
Mkwanazi started out raising cattle in a communal area in Brits in 2014 and decided to focus on Bonsmara cattle after winning a Bonsmara bull in the national emerging carcass competition. In 2019, he bought a 450ha farm in Thabazimbi.
Mkwanazi told Farmer’s Weekly that he had to move from communal land to his own farm because he needed more land for his growing herd and better control over his animals.
“If you want to breed superior and healthy animals, you need to keep track of which bull was mated with which cow, and you want to keep your animals away from others that might be carrying diseases or cause fights.”
He said that winning the developing stud farmer of the year award was a huge privilege, as it showed that his hard work was being recognised.
“The award will help to promote my stud and open new opportunities,” he said.
Jan Boshoff and Barry Hertzog of Boshoff Bonsmara in Delmas, Mpumalanga, received the Stud Book Farmer’s Weekly Mentor Breeder of the Year Award.
Ester Hertzog, Boshoff’s daughter, told Farmer’s Weekly that the Boshoff Bonsmara team has been offering training and sharing information with herdsman, emerging farmers and fellow producers for the past six years.
“For us giving back to the community is passion meeting purpose. We love sharing information about the Bonsmara and by doing so aim to build a stronger, more prosperous community. We believe there is room for everyone to shine,” she said.
Boshoff Bonsmara also entered a partnership with Hygro Training College in Eloff a year ago to offer Warrior Camps. Nine students are accepted at a time for these camps, which stretch over three weeks and are offered once a month, during which seven SETA-accredited, internationally recognised, certificates are completed.
She added that Boshoff Bonsmara could not have achieved such success with their training without the help of many others, including Bonsmara SA, VKB, Vet2Farm, Design Biologics and the Red Meat Industry Services.
“There is a whole economy around connections, and we believe that long-term connections lead to growth in the agriculture industry, the red meat industry and our communities,” she said.
Prof Almero de Lange received the President’s Award for 2025 for his “unselfish dedication, integrity and loyalty”. He played a significant role in developing a theoretical framework for defining new breeds, and is seen as the father of best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) because of the role he played in its establishment in South Africa.
Hendrik Meyer of Rhenostervalley Beefmasters won the SA Stud Book/Vleissentraal National Elite 2025 Stud Herd of the Year – Beef Cattle award, while the Angus stud of Fredericksburg Landgoed took second place, and Rouxvus Drakensberg took third place.
Collett Farming Meatmasters won the SA Stud Book/Vleissentraal National Elite 2025 Stud Flock of the Year – Small-stock (meat and dual purpose) award, with HG Human Dorpers taking second place, and JJ Human Dorpers taking third place.
DG Hanekom Merino took the top honours in the SA Stud Book National Elite 2025 Stud Flock of the Year – Small-stock (wool), with JA de Villiers taking the second place and Korhaansrug Merino taking the third place.
Kluitjieskraal Jersey won the SA Stud National Elite 2025 Herd of the Year – Dairy division, with Limpopo Melkery taking the second place, and Janvos Landgoed the third place.
The Rooigras Boerperd Stud won the SA Stud Book/Standard Bank National Elite 2025 Stud Herd of the Year – Horses award, while Colos Boerboels won the SA Stud Book National Elite 2025 Stud of the Year – Dogs.
The Boran Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa won an award for the Best Annual Report.
