Colin Powell, an American statesman, diplomat, and army officer, once said: ‘A dream doesn’t become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.’ Mandla Enos Nkosi (52), a finalist in the 2024 Smallholder Producer of the Year competition, is proof of this statement.
Mandla’s passion for farming was ignited while assisting the adults tending to the livestock and working in the gardens on Langgewacht farm where he grew up. He even helped with the fencing and other duties. For Mandla, becoming a producer was a slow process. After school he started working on the farm, driving tractors, planting, and learning about the farming business. He was the supervisor on the farm until it was sold and became Nkululeko community farm.
In 1994 he opened a tuck shop. As the profits grew and his income increased, he was able to buy a kombi to transport children to school and make deliveries when someone needed transport. In 2014 Mandla got a transport contract from Tindal mine to transport coal which helped him to become financially stronger.
He then took his first step to becoming a producer and purchased a tractor which he used to plough for other producers. He invested the money into his dream and bought farming equipment with his profits. When he made the decision to start planting, he didn’t rush the process but grew gradually – from 1 ha until he eventually reached the 50-ha bracket. Every time he was successful, he would aim a bit higher. Any profit he makes is invested into the farm.
Mandla shares that he was never afraid to ask for advice. He would look at what other producers (including commercial producers) were doing and learn from them. He also formed a strong relationship with one of the producers who offered a lot of advice. ‘I was never afraid to ask. I learned by looking and asking.’ He is also extremely grateful for PGP’s input, training, and mentorship and is humbled by being elected as a finalist.
Although he would love to own his own land one day, he is keeping his eyes and ears open to find more land to grow his farming business. His farming dream is to remain productive ad provide for his family and the community. ‘I want to keep on growing every year and to keep on being a positive producer who is helping to ensure food security.’
MANDLA’S STORY
What motivates you to keep on farming?
It’s just in my blood. As a Zulu man, once summer arrives, you just feel it in your blood – summer means it is time to go and plant. I am also motivated by the neighbouring producers. If they can get up after drought or hail damage and plant again, I have to as well. We need to plant, because people need to eat.
How can we motivate the youth to become interested in agriculture?
We should invite them to come and look at what happens on a farm. I want to show them that hard work is rewarded. Get them involved and give them some responsibility on the farm. This will help them see whether they have a love for farming – or it will totally put them off farming. They first have to ‘do farming’ before they can begin farming.
FARM FACTS
Farm: Nkululeko community farm, communal land
Nearest town: Piet Retief
Region: Mpumalanga
Type: Mixed: plants soybeans and maize and owns cattle, goats, and chickens
PGP’S CONTRIBUTION
- Joined PGP in 2021
- Siyacathula study group
Training courses completed:
- Farm management for profit
A mentor’s view:
Timon Filter, mentor and trainer from the Louwsburg regional office, says Mandla’s commitment is what makes him a successful producer. ‘He knows how to plant and look after his crop and land, and that makes him successful. His commitment really defines his success for me. He really wants his own land one day, but for now he knows that his farming is helping his community.’
