Thapelo Kgopodithate is the manager at Boomplaas Farm in Van Zylsrus village near Kuruman in the Northern Cape. The farm is owned by his father, Oratile, and the family-run sheep, cattle and goats. His father farmed on communal land for 31 years before receiving his current farm from the government in 2012.
Kgopodithate completed a degree in human resources management at Damelin College in Pretoria in 2009. Unable to find employment close to home, he moved to Cape Town, where he ended up as a general worker at a large steel producer.
In the meantime, however, his father was struggling to manage the farm on his own, so he asked Kgopodithate to return home to assist him as a farm manager. Kgopodithate became fully involved in the business, and says that the more he learnt about
DROUGHT AS INSPIRATION
The Northern Cape is currently in the grip of a prolonged, highly destructive drought. Although farmers in this part of the country are no strangers to long droughts, coupled with temperatures that often rise to 40ËšC, the current drought is one of the worst on record.
In 2016 already, the Kgopodithates were facing ruin due to the financial strain brought on by the drought, and many other farmers in the province faced the same fate. It was his family’s struggle to keep their farm going that led Kgopodithate to start an unusual stokvel.
Named the Makawana (Tswana for ‘young people’) Farmers’ Stokvel, the initiative brought together farmers struggling with similar challenges. Its members are all younger than 35, and at the time of writing, there were 23 members, all from villages in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District in Kuruman.
This story is from the August 07, 2020 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 07, 2020 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
