Diverse farming drives progress
Darling wine farmer Peter Duckitt sees the future of farming in diversification. Wine grapes form the basis of his operation, with wheat, beef, conservation and tourism spreading risk and ensuring an income throughout the year. Jay Ferreira reports.
A lifetime passion for Merinos
This year, Hilson Shuman produced his 60th wool clip. He is as passionate about his Merinos as he was in 1952 when the death of his father, Ken, put him in charge of the farm Grey Craig near Queenstown in the Eastern Cape. Mike Burgess reports.
Succeeding in a man’s world
Dakalo Magwede left a teaching career to farm cattle full time. Working hard to prove herself in this male-dominated business, she has been honoured as the Limpopo Female Farmer of the Year – not just once, but twice. Peter Mashala spoke to her.
Searching for the source of the Jukskei’s pollution
Part 1: The upper river
Saving Xhosaland’s stick crafting culture
Traditional Xhosa sticks cut from the umnquma tree (African wild olive) are increasingly difficult to find in the Eastern Cape where communities are rapidly urbanising at the cost of certain traditional customs. Mike Burgess spoke to East London businessman and traditional stick collector, Gary Harvey, about his journey to locate and support remaining stick crafters.
Searching for the eye of the Jukskei
One doesn’t get many truly fascinating weeks, but I’ve just enjoyed one. I thought it would be a nice idea to walk the length of the Jukskei River.
Farms – Nice view, nice price
More and more farms are being bought solely for lifestyle purposes, as an escape from city life. This could soon see a farm’s selling price based not only on its production value, but also on ‘aesthetics’. Lindi van Rooyen reports.
Small-scale to commercial farming
Eking out a living from the land can sometimes become too difficult and the struggle to survive can be a challenge for even the toughest farmer. But dairyman Cyril Mhlatshana is not prepared to give up. Lloyd Phillips reports.
More SA farm poetry
Part 2 of our selection of poems about life on the land in southern Africa.
SA farm poetry
In a few months it will be a hundred years since the coming into effect of the Native Land Act, and the universities are frothing with activity as Phd candidates submit conference papers on “social protection measures and labour markets in Oranjia,” “unfair use of secret carp bait on the Hennops River” and the like, and 99% of these papers, petitions and reports simply add to the confusion of the already convoluted and painful ‘land question’.
Model tractor collecting – ‘A delightful disease’
The old saying that the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys was apparent at the latest SA Model Tractor Association (SAMTA) gathering in Bothaville. Annelie Coleman spoke to collectors about the passion of model tractor collecting and the joy it brings them.
From trucks to tractors – starting a new life in retirement
Usually considered a time to relax and pursue one’s interests outside the working world, retirement has not been so for Nixon Tenza. He’s probably working harder now, as a farmer, than he did when he was a full-time trucker. Lloyd Phillips reports.
