After playing a significant role in corporate South Africa, Dr Reuel Khoza, former chairperson of Nedbank and Eskom, decided to turn his focus back to his roots in the farming sector. He spoke to Lindi Botha about practical transformation and taking hands with commercial farmers.
At the age of 68 and with six business books and a PhD behind him, Reuel Khoza has turned his attention to his original passion: farming. As the owner of the second largest avocado pack house in South Africa, Koeltehof Packers in Kiepersol, Mpumalanga, he has started a new career when most people would be retiring.
Investing in South Africa’s fast-growing avocado industry, previously unknown to him, he fell back on his father’s wisdom.
“He taught me that when in a new situation, exercise ‘intelligent ignorance’. This means you position yourself as a learner and absorb everything you can.”
RETURNING TO FARMING
Khoza grew up in Bushbuckridge, just outside Hazyview in Mpumalanga. His grandfather owned a small herd of cattle and he and his cousins alternated herding duties with school.
“My grandfather saw potential in me, so I began to go to school full-time. But the love of farming was already instilled in me.”
He tells how he always slows down when driving past cattle on trips to the Lowveld with the family. “They get so irritated with me. I tell them I’m admiring the cattle. So when I turned 60, my wife bought me a Boran heifer, and a new career in farming was born.” Khoza has since expanded his herd to 400 head on a farm in Machadodorp, near Mbombela.
In 2007, he began looking for a farm in the Lowveld that would also be the family home. As a result, he was shown Koeltehof farm.
“The investment was a bit of a stretch. But when my granddaughter saw the Wendy house in the yard, she pulled me aside and said, ‘Umkhulu, buy it!’”
Khoza’s philosophy is: first make it work, then survive, then prosper. Since acquiring the farm he has increased the area under orchards by 50% and the pack house capacity five-fold.
ACQUIRING KOELTEHOF
Esta historia es de la edición 13 July 2018 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición 13 July 2018 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Review: the Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4×4 GR-Sport III
The third iteration of the Hilux GR-Sport has finally achieved a sense of presence and style befitting its raceinspired branding. But is this the ultimate modern Hilux? Car Magazine takes a closer look.
Why maize prices soar in Kenya and Malawi but not Tanzania
Namhla Landani, an economist at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, and Arthur Khomotso Mahuma, economist and researcher at the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, analyse the issue.
Wet carcass syndrome: a scourge in SA sheep farming
Wet carcass syndrome continues to take a huge financial toll on South African sheep farmers. Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to two experts about the ongoing genetic research aimed at addressing this issue.
Pollination innovation
Bee-Tech Group is transforming South African agriculture with pollination technologies that boost crop yields and enhance sustainability. Founder Michiel Bruggeman spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel.
The valuable addition that makes this farm tick
Owning the value chain provides farmers with far more control over their produce. However, it requires a fine balance between production and ensuring there is a strong and steady market. Lindi Botha visited Rosemary Hill to find out how this essential oil producer leverages hospitality to make the farm viable.
The benefits of recirculating aquaculture systems
A powerful set of attributes has established recirculating aquaculture systems as a cornerstone of global temperate fish farming, writes Leslie Ter Morshuizen, owner of Aquaculture Solutions.
Minister has big plans for emerging and commercial farmers
DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his priorities for his department over the next five years, including an increased focus on biosecurity.
New study aims to make wheat more disease resistant
A recent international study explains how bread wheat has helped to transform the ancient world on its path to becoming the iconic crop that today helps sustain a global population of eight billion.
Conservation farming and biodiversity boost soil health and sustainability
A recent academic event focused on research into the links between soil biodiversity, soil health and sustainable agriculture
What has led to the unparalleled rice shortage in Japan?
Japan is facing a rice shortage amid concerns about a potential 'megaquake', several typhoons and an annual week-long holiday, which has led to an increase in panic buying.
