By Maphuti Mongatane
In the heart of Klerksdorp, a determined woman is redefining what success looks like in farming. Sandra Masie didn’t inherit a large farm or step into agriculture with major backing. What she did have was a clear purpose, deep faith and the courage to get her hands in the soil and start small.
Her journey began beside a maize field with a single tunnel – no fancy equipment; just basic tools, a few seedlings and a strong belief that something bigger could grow from humble beginnings.
Sandra started farming while still working in a formal job, but the pull of the land was undeniable. She eventually left the office and committed herself fully to farming, trusting that the risk would reap a deeper reward.
Today, Sandra manages Masie Farms, a 150-hectare operation that’s steadily becoming a model of practical innovation, smart diversification and woman-led resilience. Across her farm, she grows cabbage, tomatoes, soybeans, maize, spinach and peppers with the help of a small but effective team of four full-time workers and two additional hands during peak harvesting. Her husband manages the soybeans, while Sandra focuses on vegetables and market supply.
Every week, she delivers 1 000 boxes of tomatoes and 30 bags of cabbages to various local markets, alongside supplying a local restaurant with fresh spinach, peppers and tomatoes. Her primary focus is local market access, but she also supplies the Joburg Fresh Produce Market, a decision born out of necessity after experiencing oversupply and unpredictable pricing in Klerksdorp.
However, even at the Joburg Market, price instability persists. “Sometimes the green pepper price is R150, then it drops to R50 the next day,” she says. “That kills planning. What I really want is to supply directly to SPAR, Checkers and others where we can agree upfront on price and quantity. But for that, I need SA-GAP certification.”
Big Dreams
Her dream is clear: stable, direct relationships with retailers and eventually export opportunities. “Why not Botswana? Why not beyond our borders?” But Sandra understands the steps required to get there. “I know I need to formalise everything, become compliant and meet the necessary standards.”
Masie Farms operates using a combination of drip and sprinkler irrigation, and she sources her soybeans and maize seeds from Pannar. Her approach is highly intentional, rotating crops, adjusting to seasonal shifts and planning production cycles that replenish the soil and meet market demand. Recently, she replaced tomatoes with cabbage in one tunnel to allow nutrient recovery. That level of precision reflects her growing technical understanding and commitment to long-term sustainability.
Overcoming Challenges
But her brilliance shines most in how she responds to challenges especially dealing with off-grade produce. “When your peppers fall in the rain or tomatoes have marks, you can’t take them to market. But that doesn’t mean they’re useless.” Sandra uses them for compost and organic manure, and she’s planning to turn leftover produce into sauces and relishes through group agro-processing. “Innovation is how we survive. Don’t let imperfect crops go to waste – turn them into something valuable.”
Her advice to other vegetable farmers is simple but powerful: “Agro-processing isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline.”
Paying It Forward Through Mentorship
Sandra is also a strong advocate for education and mentorship. A graduate of DICLA Training and Projects, she plans to establish a training centre on her farm to offer both theoretical and hands-on agricultural training. “We can’t grow agriculture without knowledge. It’s not just about planting, it’s about knowing your land, managing your inputs, and understanding your market.”
Through her journey, Sandra has found strength in sisterhood, joining a network of women in agriculture who support one another in navigating access to information, funding and markets. “We’re trying to break through. Sometimes it feels like key information is locked away. But when women share, we all rise.”
Her venture into soybeans has also brought important lessons. “The yield wasn’t what we expected and we had pest issues. But we managed. Next time, we’ll plant more hectares to justify the cost of diesel, inputs and labour. That’s how you grow.”
From market challenges to seasonal losses, Sandra has faced it all with grace and grit. She believes every setback is a lesson and every seed holds promise.
“Even watching your crops rot teaches you something. You realise you have to innovate. I believe everything happens for a reason, even the difficult moments.”
Unlocking Market Access Through SA-GAP Certification
Sandra’s journey is a powerful example of how passion and discipline can take a farmer far but without SA-GAP certification, many like her remain locked out of formal retail opportunities and export markets.
She says they call on the Department of Agriculture to:
- Prioritise SA-GAP certification support for smallholder and emerging commercial farmers through funded programmes and mentorship.
- Partner with retailers and training institutions to demystify the certification process and reduce its cost burden.
- Create district-level access points where farmers can receive direct assistance, information and monitoring support toward compliance.
Why It Matters
- SA-GAP is not just a compliance exercise, it’s a gateway to supermarkets, export markets and better pricing.
- More certified farmers mean improved food safety, consistency and national supply chain resilience.
- Supporting certification aligns with South Africa’s commitment to inclusive economic transformation and sustainable agriculture.
Let’s ensure that farmers like Sandra who already embody many of the best practices in action get the backing they need to grow, thrive and lead.
