By Lebogang Mashala
Happy Mpete’s dream of becoming a successful accountant in the City of Gold did not go as planned, leading him to retreat home to the platinum city. Now settled in Rustenburg, Happy is establishing himself as both a farmer and an accountant. He has discovered his passion for food production and finance, running his accounting firm while cultivating high-value crops on seven hectares under shade nets and tunnels in Mmorogong Village.
When a keen business mindset, dedication and hard work align, along with significant sacrifices and a strong focus on end goals, success becomes highly attainable. This approach has proven effective for Happy Mpete, an accountant and farmer who grows high-value crops using tunnels and shade nets in a small village called Mmorogong, located near Sun City, just outside Rustenburg.
Mmorogong Farm, named after Happy’s home village, spans approximately seven hectares and is conveniently situated a short distance from Sun City and the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. The farm primarily cultivates tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and lettuce, rotating these crops with spinach and cabbage. Happy explains, “We selected these crops because they occupy minimal space, but yield produce that commands high prices per unit.”
Identifying a Market Gap
The idea to establish the farm came about unexpectedly. After completing his accounting clerk articles and earning a license to practice as an accountant, Happy decided to resign from his job and start his accounting firm in Johannesburg’s Buccleuch area. However, when things didn’t go as planned and the business failed to take off, he found it challenging to sustain his life in Joburg. This struggle forced him to return home to Rustenburg and Mmorogong Village.
While contemplating his next move at home, Happy identified a new opportunity. “Bojanala district is a tourist-oriented region. The name Bojanala means tourism. Rustenburg is also nicknamed ‘Platinum City’ due to the wealth of platinum group minerals found there,” explains Happy. He adds, “The Moses Kotane Local Municipality, where the farm is located, is home to Sun City, situated about 20km from our farm, which attracts over 15 000 visitors a day during peak seasons. It is also home to the Pilanesberg National Park, which hosts more than 27 lodges.”
Additionally, Happy notes that there are important facilities nearby, including the Moses Kotane Hospital, Pilanesburg International Airport, Orbit TVET College Mankwe Campus, Mogwase Prison and Moruleng Mall, which primarily sources its food supply from Brits, Pretoria and Johannesburg, over 70 kilometres away.
Happy emphasises that there is an annual influx of visitors to the region. “We attract millions of tourists, mine workers and employees in various value-added industries,” he says.
“It was from this identification of a market gap that Mmorogong Farm was born. The vision was to start the first commercial horticulture farm in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality,” says Happy.
The Investment That Changed Everything
According to Happy, starting the farm five years ago has been a journey filled with trials and errors. “It has primarily involved building the farm and establishing the necessary infrastructure to enhance productivity. It was quite a heavy project, especially since I wasn’t employed at the time,” he explains. Fortunately, some institutions recognised his efforts and invested in his venture. Happy received initial funding of approximately R100 000 from ABSA and the National Youth Development Agency. This was followed by a significant investment from the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which provided funding to equip the farm with a 100 000-liter reservoir, a 1-hectare shade net, a fully equipped borehole with a three-phase electricity connection, a drip irrigation system and two 600-square-meter tunnels.
Happy faced challenges in land acquisition as well. The farm is situated on private land governed by a tribal council composed mainly of elderly members. “Initially, the tribal council did not understand my vision and were reluctant to grant me permission to occupy the land. I started on a small piece of land, approximately 50m x 50m, in 2019,” he explains. It wasn’t until July 2020 that he received formal permission to use 7 hectares for agricultural purposes.
Now, the farm primarily focuses on producing high-value crops, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. “Since these crops are seasonal, we plant them annually under greenhouse tunnels. On the shade net, we rotate with cabbage, spinach and lettuce, which are winter crops. Spinach also helps with short-term cash flow needs as it can regrow,” Happy clarifies.
The farm is certified under the South African Good Agricultural Practices (SAGAP) programme, which ensures the safety, quality and sustainability of agricultural products in South Africa. It covers various aspects of food safety, including hygiene, traceability, responsible use of agrochemicals, and worker health and safety. “The SAGAP certificate provides farmers with easier access to formal markets and exports, as it serves as proof that they follow good agricultural practices,” he says.
Despite his impressive growth, Happy identifies skills and capital as his biggest challenges. “Commercial farming relies on having the skills to produce quality products, business management skills for successful operation, and capital to finance skilled labour and invest in the assets and innovations that drive this growth,” he explains.
He points out that consumers often judge products by their appearance, so it’s crucial that the produce meets specific standards to attract buyers. “Size, texture, colour, firmness and shelf life should be central to your production goals. Without the skills to produce high-quality products, it’s difficult to command a reasonable price,” Happy emphasises.
Building a Legacy Through Skills Development
Moreover, producing quality products requires not only skilled labour but also adequate infrastructure, which can be very costly. To bridge his internal skill gap, Happy has decided to establish a skills centre to assist both him and other potential farmers in the area. “We’ve identified another market for agri-skills development, but land is now limited due to illegal mining encroaching near our farm between 2020 and 2024. Our expansion to build training facilities is challenging, but we are working with the tribal council to explore other areas where this goal can be achieved. Thankfully, the tribal office is now fully supportive of the project,” he explains.
