Moniwa Badge Skosana was born in 1953 in Carolina, Mpumalanga. Due to a lack of funding Badge was not able to attend school and had to stay at home and work with his father on the fields. This motivated him to work hard to improve himself. In 1994 he started a construction company, building roads mostly in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
His childhood dream of becoming a farmer was only realised in 2011 when he leased a piece of land from the government and made his dream a reality. Now at the age of 70, he is still just as passionate about agriculture as he was as a young boy. Badge is slowly handing over duties to his son Andile (27), who is just as dedicated and passionate about agriculture as his father. ‘I am so happy that Andile is taking over so that all my hard work won’t go to waste when I retire.’
Badge is a respected man in his community, always willing to help those in need. He provides maize meal and food to the needy and has also provided work for 16 farm workers and their families.
BADGE’S STORY
When did you start farming?
I was doing quite well in the construction business, but I just couldn’t resist the persistent call to go back to my love of farming. In 2011 my son Temba took control of the construction company and I could start this life-long dream of farming. I started to lease land from the government as the first step towards turning my dream into a reality and have never looked back.
Why farming?
My father used oxen to plant his 20 morgens and I used to help him with the oxen. When I was 14, I started working for a farmer as a general worker. At age 18 I learned to drive a tractor – a little Massey 35. I think that ignited my passion and gave me a dream of having my own farm and producing food.
What are some of the challenges you have faced?
Finance remains a big challenge and then the veld fires that people start during the dry season which destroy the grazing. One of the most difficult times was the loss of my eldest son, Musa Steven, who farmed with me.
What is your dream for the future?
I would love to motivate young people to see a future in agriculture. Farming requires dedication and hard work. If they put on their boots and work hard, they can all be good farmers. I also hope that my son will one day own his own farm.
Farm facts
Farm: Kleinwater 301
Nearest town: Witbank
Region: Mpumalanga
Size: 1 545 ha leased from the government for 30 years – 640 ha of arable land for planting and the rest for grazing
Type: Mixed (plants maize and soybeans in a crop rotation system/livestock – cattle, goats and chickens)
Yield: Maize (5 t/ha) and soybeans (2 t/ha)
GRAIN SA’S CONTRIBUTION
- Badge joined Grain SA in 2015 at a farmers day near Balmoral.
- He became a member of the 1 000 Ton Club in 2022.
A mentor’s view:
Jurie Mentz, regional development manager at the Louwsburg office, says Badge is a really motivated farmer who has grown his farming enterprise. He is very positive about farming despite having gone through difficult times. Badge is also a leader in his community and a lot of farmers look up to him. He is very positive towards Grain SA and is grateful for the assistance he has received.
Advice to others:
- Work hard and always put in the extra effort.
- Do the right thing at the right time.
- Plan properly to achieve your goals.
Another important partner of the Grain SA Farmer Development Programme is the Maize Trust. The trust’s funding is aimed at the financial support of actions and programmes by reputable institutions involved in the industry. The team is grateful for the Maize Trust’s continual support of farmer study groups, advanced farmer input support as well as their sponsorship of the Pula Imvula magazine.
