Photo: Yolanda Lemmer
Hennie Coetzee, a farmer in North West, visited Nampo Park on the second day of Nampo with his family.
“I can’t remember how many times we’ve been here before; it’s an annual event that we attend as a family,” Coetzee said.
Coetzee has been farming alongside his father Neels for the past 25 years. The Coetzee farm is located just outside Fochville in North West, where they produce maize, sunflower and soya bean.
“We mostly deliver to national markets and haven’t set our sights on global exports yet,” said Coetzee.
Being a second-generation farmer on the same land as one’s parents often comes with ups and downs, as parents and children don’t always see eye-to-eye on issues like technology and innovation. Indeed, in some families, these differences can strain relationships and even lead to long-term resentment.
However, Coetzee says that this is not the case when it comes to his relationship with his father.
“We have a fantastic working relationship,” he said. “That’s why we’re visiting Nampo together: to explore innovations and technology that can help us on the farm.”
Growing up on a farm, Coetzee said he didn’t really “have a choice in his career,” but has no regrets on becoming a farmer.
“Our farm is around 2 000ha, and it can easily sustain two families, maybe even four, since it seems our sons want to follow in our footsteps.”
Each family lives in their own home about a 1km apart, but for more than two decades, Coetzee and Neels have met at 6am every morning for coffee and to discuss the day ahead.
Henru, Coetzee’s 12-year-old son, told Farmer’s Weekly about his future aspirations to become a farmer.
“Farming is fun, especially when I do it with my family because they are so kind,” he said. “I don’t know what I love most about farming. I can’t explain it.”
@farmersweeklysa 🚜 “Farming is fun… especially with my family.” 12-year-old Henru already knows where his heart is — on the farm. 🌾❤️ The future of agriculture is in good hands! #YoungFarmer #FarmLife #nextgeneration #FamilyFarming #BoerTok #FarmersWeeklySA #farmtok #agriculturetiktok ♬ original sound – Farmer’s Weekly SA
