By Lebogang Mashala, editor of African Farming
When I received a late invitation to this year’s Morakeng Farm Camp (MFC) Boer goat auction in Morokweng, about 140km outside Vryburg in North West, my initial reaction was to decline. It was a last-minute invite, and the idea of driving over 600km on a winter weekend just to sleep in a tent didn’t sound appealing at all. Added to that, the camp was aimed mostly at young and aspiring farmers. I imagined a lively group of youth out in the bush, and probably a little alcohol in the mix. Eish!
So, I politely declined.
But a few hours later, I received a call from a respected farmer I greatly admire. He asked why I had turned down the invitation. I hadn’t even known he was involved in the event. That conversation ended with me reversing my decision and hitting the road.
What changed? His words reminded me of a profound Sotho proverb: “Bagolo rutang bana ditaola le se ye le tsona badimong”, which loosely translates to, “The elders must pass on knowledge and wisdom to the younger generation before taking it to the grave.”
That message came into sharper focus when the camp officially began. We opened the programme with a moment of silence for the late Koonethebe Serapelwane, the father of MFC founder and host, Lesedi Serapelwane, who passed away a just four months ago. Lesedi gave an emotional tribute to her father, acknowledging his immense influence on her farming journey. Although she has lost someone irreplaceable, she expressed her gratitude for her two uncles, Tebogo and Duncan Serapelwane, both respected farming legends who continue to guide and support her.
At the camp, I had the honour of meeting Dr S. Senatle, a true stalwart of South African agriculture and the founder of the Donate a Heifer initiative. Years ago, Dr. Senatle made his first donation to a then-young farmer, Thabo Dithakgwe, now one of the most well-known farmers in Morokweng. His gesture sparked something powerful. The initiative has since been adopted by the MFC and is endorsed by prominent farmers, including Duncan and Tebogo Serapelwane, Walter Setati and others.
As I listened to these stories and watched these interactions, I couldn’t help but reflect: While Morokweng has created a dynamic and supportive ecosystem for nurturing young farmers, can we say the same for the rest of the country?
Over the years, we have lost so many of our agricultural pioneers, the first generation of black commercial farmers, along with the immense knowledge and experience they carried. Most of their insights were never documented or shared. Some of it was traditional, some unconventional, but all of it was invaluable. If we don’t act now, we risk losing even more.
We need to find ways to document the wisdom of older black farmers and integrate it into formal mentorship programmes. While white commercial farmers have long been called upon, and many have responded positively to support emerging black farmers, the time has come for successful black farmers to step up and do the same. Many of them are already doing great work in their communities, quietly and without fanfare. However, we must provide them with platforms to expand their impact.
Duncan Serapelwane is one such example. I was moved by the heartfelt praise and gratitude young farmers at the MFC expressed toward Duncan, Tebogo, Dr Senatle and others. These are respected figures who have become role models and mentors, shaping the future of agriculture in their region.
We need to formalise this. The government and the private sector must invest in platforms that connect experienced black commercial farmers with young, aspiring ones. We must ensure the legacy of those who came before us does not vanish. Their stories, techniques, successes and failures must be captured and passed on.
My trip to Morokweng, which I almost skipped, turned into an eye-opening and rewarding experience. The cherry on top was the Boer goat auction on the final day – a roaring success. Many of the sellers attributed their achievements to the guidance and mentorship they’ve received, particularly from parents and farmers within the Kagisano Molopo Municipality.
Congratulations to the buyers who secured strong genetics and value for money, and to the sellers who were rewarded for their hard work and perseverance.
Most importantly, let us not allow the knowledge of our elders to fade into silence. Let’s preserve it, share it and use it to empower the next generation of black commercial farmers.
