19 February 2024
By: Charl van Rooyen
More than 200 farmers and others working in the agricultural sector attended the big African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo held over two days in the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng. About 45 leading farmers and other agricultural experts shared their knowledge with the farmers and lively discussions took place during various sessions.
1 Chris Burgess (left), editor-in-chief of Landbouweekblad (African Farming’s sister magazine), with the agricultural experts sharing the podium during one of the discussion sessions. With him are, from left, Vito Rugani (Greenway Farms and Rugani Juice), Duncan Serapelwane (Moalosi Bonsmaras), Dr Obakeng Mfikwe (KMF Farms) and Jerome Topley (Sernick Group).
2 Some of the North West farmers who attended the imbizo. From the left are Kopano Lentswetshipi from Mahikeng, and Botlhale Tshabalala and Victor Mafoko, both from Lichtenburg.
3 Two visitors from Pretoria. On the left is Kabelo Phora, a farmer, and with him is Paballo Mashigoane from the consulting company Mathopanaga.
4 Afgri was the main sponsor of the African Farming Imbizo. Here is part of their impressive team of leaders at this top-notch meeting. From the left are Juanita Demas, Sylvester Lubambo, Menzi Ngcamu, Praveen Dwarika and Theo Potgieter.
5 Peter Mashala (left), editor of African Farming, with Lennox Plaatjies (Partners in Agri Land Solutions), Leona Archary (Agricultural Development Agency), Dr Tobias Doyer (Grain South Africa CEO) and Aubrey Ratjomane (commercial potato farmer).
6 Matome Mokgobu (left) is a potato farmer from Bochum (Blouberg), Limpopo. With her is Mokete Malefane, who farms with sheep and poultry near Pretoria.
7 From left are Dumisani Hlope from Pietermaritzburg, David Mthombeni from Secunda and Rebecca Phalatse from the Land Bank in Centurion.
8 Karabo Puswe, agriculture specialist at FarmSol Africa, with Maphuti Mongatane, African Farming marketing and PR manager.
9 Also at the imbizo were Liza Gavson Caisutti (left) and Mpumi Maesela from Servicios Empresariales Holdings.
10 Ladies in red! Angie Khumalo (left), master of ceremonies for the imbizo, and Dr Langa Simela (Absa) during teatime.
11 Pulane Mahlasela (right), an agricultural student from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, with Nosipho Baba, a farmer from Hartbeespoort. Pulane is studying for her master’s degree in sustainable agriculture.
12 Llu Madisakwane (left) and Karabo Pele, farmers from Ventersdorp.
13 With Kallie Schoeman (Schoeman Group) are Themba Rikhotso (left), chief executive officer of the Land Bank, and Pascal Siphugu, managing director of the Land Bank’s insurance company.
14 With Kallie Schoeman (second from left) from the Schoeman Group are some of his suppliers. From the left, David Nkambula, Keamogetswe Motlhahane and Victor Motlhale, all from Ingamaso Farming in Belfast.
15 Keneilwe Mabona from Standard Bank inspiring farmers during a session at the African Farming Imbizo.
