public relations officer, Grain SA alzena@grainsa.co.za
There is even more reason to celebrate this year as the Grain SA Farmer Development Programme’s Farmer of the Year competition will be able to take place on 21 September 2022, after a two year absence due to COVID restrictions.
Every year at the colourful Day of Celebration, Grain SA proudly celebrates the achievements of this very successful programme. The incredible progress of its Subsistence Farmers, Smallholder Farmers, Potential Commercial Farmers and New Era Commercial Farmers as well as their contribution to household and local food security are showcased during this event.
This year’s finalists were chosen in 2020 when Grain SA visited and judged the entrants despite the fact that the event could not take place until restrictions were lifted. Each of the finalists will receive their recognition during the 2022 Day of Celebration function, where the winner in each category will be announced.
The 2022 Grain SA/Absa/John Deere Financial New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year finalists are:
Lucky Khumalo
Regional development manager: Graeme Engelbrecht
With a diploma in Rural Community Development and a BA in Agriculture, Lucky always dreamt of farming and says his parents were his role models. He bought his first tractor in 1978 and joined his father on the farm in the Dundee region. Today he farms on Liesbethdale Farm on which he has a tenure for nine years. He heard about Grain SA from the late Remember Mthethwa in 2011 and he became a full member in 2015. ‘I want to get a bigger farm than the one we have in order to develop new projects – like getting funds to build agri-processing isigayo, which will enable me to employ members of the community.’
Mapidinyana Manoto
Regional development manager: Du Toit van der Westhuizen
After completing his matric, Mapidinyana went to Klerksdorp Technical College where he did his N1 to N4 in electrical engineering, before moving back home to farm with his dad. His love for agriculture was honed at a young age, when he used to tend to his father’s cattle and sheep after school and during school holidays. ‘When I was older, I would plough and plant for my dad. Agriculture is part of my life, farming is in my blood.’ Together they managed to secure a loan from the Land Bank and bought the farm Lusthof near Lichtenburg, which they have since paid off and own the title deed to. Following in his father’s footsteps, Mapidinyana joined Grain SA in 2016. His future goals are to expand and diversify. He is excited about the current crop, which he hopes will make up for the previous drought-stricken season.
Mzewakhe Clifford Mthimkulu
Regional development manager: Johan Kriel
Clifford, who is a qualified paramedic, joined his father on the farm Astoria in the Senekal district in 2008 to fulfil his dream of becoming a farmer. He grew up on the farm where both his parents worked. It was there that he learnt the importance of excellence, diversifying your business and making do with what you have. His life on the farm prepared him for the opportunity he and his family received when they were able to lease 493 ha of Astoria from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR). His father became a member of the Farmer Development Programme in 2007 and took Clifford to his first study group meeting on 9 June 2014. In 2019, Clifford attended the Grain SA Congress as a representative for Region 31. Through leasing agreements in place, he now farms on 264 ha of arable land with 645 ha of grazing. This season Clifford has planted 115 ha of sunflower and 108 ha of maize.
Bheki Isaac Mabuza
Regional development manager: Jurie Mentz
Isaac, who lives on the farm Donkerhoek near Piet Retief in Mpumalanga, started planting maize in 2007, but he did not achieve a profitable harvest. In 2014 he joined the Grain SA study group in Donkerhoek and that has made all the difference. ‘I have learnt a lot of farming skills since joining the study group,’ says Isaac. He is married to Dududzile and has eight children. The oldest, Siyabonga, helps his father on the farm, while the others attend school. His mentor, Jurie Mentz, says Isaac is growing his agricultural business year on year.
Tamsanqa Raphael Masuku
Regional development manager: Graeme Engelbrecht
As a retired school principal, Tamsanqa started farming in 2001 when he bought the farm Kwagga’s Drift in the Dundee region of KwaZulu-Natal. He joined Grain SA in 2019 and is the chairperson of the Amajuba District Farmers Association and a member of the De Jagers Farmers Association. His plans for the future include more hectares of maize and soybeans and the acquisition of more cattle and bigger tractors. Some of the challenges he faces are a shortage of resources, fire and theft.
Mampho Adeline Thaele
Regional development manager: Johan Kriel
Mampho used to spend school holidays on a farm in the Marquard district of the Eastern Free State, where both her parents worked. She loved the smell of the soil and curiously watched the workers take care of the livestock. After school she completed a national diploma in Animal Production. In 2014, the farm Perlot was purchased by the DRDLR and the lease contract given to the Thaele family. Mampho was appointed as farm manager of the 255 ha of arable land with 48 ha of natural grazing. She attended her first Grain SA study group in Welkom on 30 July 2015, where she learnt about farm management, soil, fertiliser, weeds and grass control. This year she has planted 50 ha of maize, she has a piggery, a vegetable garden and she has recently opened a butchery.
The 2022 Grain SA Smallholder Farmer of the Year finalists are:
Thokozani Hlatswayo
Regional development manager: Jurie Mentz
Thokozani says he always had a passion for agriculture and grew up helping his father where help was needed. His own farming career started when he bought goats at an auction in Ermelo. In 2015 he heard about Grain SA and in 2016 he joined the study group at Daggakraal near Amersfoort. Today he is the chairman of the Bethamoya study group on the other side of Amersfoort. His dream for South Africa is that the youth will learn how to farm unused land and not run to the cities.
Dinabantu Lawrence Nqubuka
Regional development manager: Graeme Engelbrecht
Dinabantu is from Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal and he learnt about farming from his family and individuals within the farming community where he lives. His family used to plant maize for mealie meal. He joined Grain SA in 2016 to learn how to farm for profit. Since then he has completed courses in the production of dry beans, soybeans and maize, as well as mycotoxins, nixtamalisation and the safe storage of maize. He is described as a very dedicated and hard-working farmer who enjoys applying what he has learnt.
Joseph Tuelo Mokaleng
Regional development manager: Du Toit van der Westhuizen
Joseph Tuelo Mokaleng has never worked anywhere else but on the piece of land in Morena Village near Delareyville in North West, where his grandfather and father farmed on a small scale. He left school to join his father where they ploughed with donkeys, until Tuelo was able to buy a Massey Ferguson tractor. He took over the farming when his father got too old to work and completed his first course with Grain SA in 2006. Since then he has completed more than ten courses, ranging from implement maintenance to advanced maize production and marketing.
Grain SA/Absa/John Deere Financial Subsistence Farmer of the Year finalists are:
Ndinda Hezekia Mkhonza
Regional development manager: Jerry Mthombothi
Hezekia, who farms at Hereford East in Mpumalanga, developed an interest in agriculture at a young age. He was only seven when he planted a small garden of tomatoes, which later became a backyard garden with vegetables and maize. He started farming more seriously when he joined Grain SA in 2016. ‘Before joining the Farmer Development Programme, we were getting around 6 bags/ha. We are now expecting a harvest of 8 t/ha.’ Hezekia is the chairperson of Lubumbano study group and he farms with maize, cattle and vegetables.
Lindiwe Maureen Kubheka
Regional development manager: Graeme Engelbrecht
Lindiwe, who lives in Dannhauser in KwaZulu-Natal, joined Grain SA in 2014 when she started her farming operation on one hectare. Her first step was to join the study group at Doornkop, with Graeme Engelbrecht as mentor. Since then she has completed courses in dry bean production, mycotoxins and safe storage of maize, an introduction to maize production, nixtamalisation and nutrition. Her dream
is to expand in order to create jobs for members of her community. Her ultimate goal is to become a commercial producer.
Khuphukile Vinah Mazibuko
Regional development manager: Graeme Engelbrecht
Khuphukile is a community caregiver for the Department of Health, but has always been farming on a small scale. She joined Grain SA in 2015 and has since been farming for profit. She has always been very involved in the community and is currently teaching local farmers about the no-till project. She wants to expand her maize crop and venture into poultry. Khuphukile farms in the region of Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal, where she lives with her husband, Nsiyane, and their two sons.
