Being a farmer offers Hlaleli Joseph Khlaleli (52) the opportunity to fulfil his big desire to contribute to food security. He also dreams of creating more job opportunities by growing his farming enterprise. He would love to ensure that everyone has access to affordable food to get the necessary nutrition.
Joseph grew up on Winniefred farm in the Phumelela district near the Lesotho border, where his father, Buti Samuel Khlaleli, was a farm worker. This inspired him to become a farmer. He qualified and worked as a financial consultant (broker) while dreaming of one day owning his own farm. This dream was realised when the farm Zandfontein in the Nketoana municipal district between Bethlehem and Lindley became his property. Joseph still operates as an independent financial consultant as well.
Zandfontein operates as a business entity under the name Tau Itsheeletsie – a name which means ‘this lion is going to farm now’. In 2006, Joseph appointed Buti as farm manager on Zandfontein. He learned a lot working side by side with his dad, who had the same goal of contributing to food security, especially in their community. Sadly, Buti passed away in 2022 and Joseph had to employ a new right hand. Apart from maize, they produce sunflower and sugar beans and have a healthy Bonsmara herd.
Joseph is passionate about agriculture and he currently employs 22 seasonal workers. This ‘lion’ is so determined to grow as a farmer to reach his goals that he used the profit he made the previous season to purchase an adjacent piece of land, growing his farm to 348 ha. He also leases an additional 168 ha. He is eager to incorporate new technological methods into his farming operation to improve agricultural productivity, efficiency, and resilience.
He is married to Elizabeth, and they have three children. His eldest daughter and son have both shown a keen interest in the farm. ‘It would be an honour to see a third generation cultivate the soil on Zandfontein,’ says the kind-hearted lion.
JOSEPH’S STORY
Who has been a big help in your development as a farmer?
Apart from my father, commercial producers in the area and Grain SA (PGP). In the earlier years my neighbour Dirk van Rensburg would intervene when he saw me implementing incorrect agricultural practices. I learned a lot from him. Jacques Roux has been my mentor since 2020, and his hands-on advice and friendship have really benefited my farming operation.
Are you part of organised agriculture?
I belong to the Kaallaagte Farmers’ Association and was chosen as the chairperson in 2020. We meet to discuss ideas and share advice on improving our farming practices. In 2021 we hosted our first commercial farmers’ auction and in May this year we hosted a livestock auction in partnership with BKB.
FARM FACTS
Name: Zandfontein
Nearest town: Bethlehem/Lindley
Region: Eastern Free State
Size: 343 ha (plants 200 ha and leases additional land too)
Type of farming operation: Mixed – crops (plants maize, sunflower and sugar beans in a crop rotation system) and livestock (Bonsmara cattle)
PGP’S CONTRIBUTION
- Joined Grain SA in 2020
- Member of 250 Ton Club
TRAINING COURSES COMPLETED
- Introduction to maize production
- Introduction to soybean production
- Planter and boom-sprayer calibration
A MENTOR’S VIEW
Jacques Roux, regional development manager in PGP’s Free State office, says Joseph is a hands-on farmer who is keen to learn any new agricultural practices to improve his farming skills. He has shown tremendous progress in the past few years. If there is an opportunity to improve his agricultural knowledge, he is there. He follows the advice given and is truly passionate about food security.
