Dieketseng Gladys Mahlelehlele (38) studied for a BA Communication degree, but in her third year decided to rather follow in her father’s footsteps as her business was already showing growth. Her passion for farming developed as a young girl as her father was a big cattle farmer and Dieketseng was his shadow. Over weekends and during school holidays she worked with him, gathering valuable agricultural skills. ‘Whenever my father went away on business, he would put me in charge of the farm.’
This vibrant young producer attended her first Grain SA study group meeting with her father in 2015. This set the wheels in motion to realise her dream. In 2019 she jumped at an opportunity to farm independently when she applied for the farm Vrede in the Brandfort area. Vrede is now ‘home’ where she is already an established livestock farmer who is working hard to develop as a crop producer too. She believes that the steps to success is a willingness to learn and listen, to implement what you have learned and to work hard.
Dieketseng is currently farming on medium-potential cash-crop soil, but is looking to lease high-potential soil to grow the crop side of her business. This year she planted 180 ha of sunflower for the first time and at the time of the interview harvesting was in progress. Unfortunately, climatic conditions were not favourable recently with severe drought and high rainfall at the wrong time in the season, but she is still looking at an average yield.
Although her first year as a crop producer may not be a huge success, Dieketseng remains positive as she knows every stumbling block offers an opportunity to learn and grow. ‘In farming there are good years and bad years and it cannot deter us from doing what we love.’ This is one of the attributes that led to her nomination for the Farmer of the Year competition. After adjudication, Dieketseng was announced as one of the finalists and she is very excited (and emotional) about the recognition she has received. ‘It’s a dream come true and all thanks to the input of my two role-models, my dad and Ntate Johan (Kriel).’
The well-being of her workers is very important to her, as is improving the lives of less privileged girls. She has taken 15 young girls in Brandfort under her wing by paying their school fees and buying school uniforms. They also receive food parcels on a regular basis. She is also paying one college student’s tuition fees, but she does not see this as something extraordinary. ‘I am just being a human being making sure others aren’t left behind. People in privileged positions should take care of those less fortunate.’
DIEKETSENG’S STORY
What is the best and worst thing about farming?
The best thing is that I get to contribute to food security. There is nothing that I don’t like about farming – even dirt is good! Maybe the stress a producer experiences because of circumstances out of our control – like the weather and theft – is the less positive side of being a farmer.
How do you supplement your income?
I have a transport business and transport grain to the silos during the harvest season which helps with the cash flow for salaries and other expenses. I am also in the process of setting up a mini butchery on the farm and have already purchased all the necessary equipment so that the meat can be fully processed here.
FARM FACTS
Farm: Vrede
Nearest town: Brandfort
Region: Free State
Size: 475 ha
Type: Mixed – plants sunflower and maize/livestock and owns Bonsmara cattle, Dormer merino sheep and free-range chickens
PGP’S CONTRIBUTION
- Joined Grain SA in 2015
- Ladybrand study group
- Congress delegate in 2023 and 2024
Training courses completed:
Has completed several courses including:
- Introduction to sunflower and sorghum production
- Resource assessment and farm planning
- Farm management and finance
- Farming for profit
- Basic maintenance: tractors and farm implements
A mentor’s view:
Johan Kriel, regional development manager in the western Free State, believes this young, enthusiastic producer has the potential to develop into a commercial producer because she is keen to learn. ‘She is like a sponge when it comes to learning – she absorbs knowledge.’
