Nkosana Mtimkulu, who sadly passed away last week, was posthumously honoured by Agricultural Writers SA with the New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year award. Earlier this year he won the North West New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year award.
By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Mtimkulu’s journey was a powerful testament to the spirit of a modern farmer. He left a successful corporate career in sales and marketing in 2010 to pursue a purpose-driven life in agriculture. Starting with a dairy farm, he quickly built a vertically integrated agribusiness, even establishing his own processing facility.
Also read: Grain SA mourns the loss of visionary young farmer Nkosana Mtimkulu
This ambitious venture, however, faced immense challenges – from shifting market dynamics to the economic shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic – ultimately leading to its closure. Instead of defeat, Nkosana found a new beginning. He returned to his roots, shifting his focus to grain production in 2022. With strategic vision, he leveraged his business acumen to cultivate high-value crops like non-GMO popcorn maize, wheat and small white beans, securing partnerships with industry giants like Tiger Brands and PepsiCo’s Kgodiso Development Fund. His farm at Madikwe, which operates on a 30-year government lease, is 533ha.
His dedication extended beyond his own farm. As a former chairperson for the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA), he passionately championed farmer development. He independently hosted quarterly study groups and an annual Farmers’ Day, drawing more than 150 farmers to his land to share knowledge on everything from technology to business management. Nkosana also prioritised inclusive employment, with a dedicated team of six permanent youth employees and up to 80 seasonal contract workers, 70% of whom are women.
The Other Candidates
Here are the other candidates in the category of New Entrant to Commercial Farming:
Western Cape New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture
Sydney Claassen from Stellenbosch has been named the Western Cape’s New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year. Through his business, Pinehaven Farms, he has progressed from farm worker to commercial farmer, building a thriving 12ha vegetable enterprise that supplies leading retailers, including Woolworths. His focus on sustainable practices and mentoring fellow farmers has earned him respect across the region.
Eastern Cape New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture
Vumile Mzinzi of Matuana Agencies in the Mount Fletcher area has been named the Eastern Cape’s New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year. He manages a diversified 530ha operation producing maize, potatoes, soya beans and livestock. Vumile is known for his meticulous planning, scientific approach to farming and hands-on management.
Northern Cape New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture
Elize Gerda Beukes of G & E Beukes Boerdery in Eksteenskuil near Upington received the award for the Northern Cape’s New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year. She runs a mixed farming operation that includes vineyards, peanuts, lucerne and a rotational grazing system for livestock. Her commitment to professional development and sharing knowledge with aspiring farmers has made her an influential figure in the sector.
Also read: Agricultural Writers SA North honours farmers
Free State New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year
Joseph Khlaleli of Tau Itsheeletsie (“this lion is going to farm now”) in the Eastern Free State is a farmer whose passion for agriculture stems from childhood days spent alongside his father, a farm worker.
A respected producer shaping a sustainable farming future, Joseph embodies the spirit of modern agriculture: passion, precision and a deep connection to family and community.
Those formative years planted a lifelong dream that became reality in 2005, when he launched his first venture on just 66.5ha. Balancing farming with a career as a financial consultant, he steadily expanded his enterprise, returning full-time to agriculture in 2019.
Today, his mixed farming operation on Zandfontein near Bethlehem and Lindley covers 343ha (with an additional 168ha leased) and produces maize, sunflowers and sugar beans. He also farms Bonsmara cattle.
In recognition of his hard work, resilience and vision, Joseph was recently named AGT Foods Africa Emerging Dry Bean Producer of the Year. He is also a member of Grain SA’s 250 Ton Club and has completed several training courses to sharpen his technical skills.
As part of the VKB Mentorship Programme, he planted yellow and white maize, sunflower and small white beans this season. He’s already achieved an impressive 1.80t/ha with his white bean harvest and is anticipating a strong maize yield.
Community involvement is central to Joseph’s approach. As chairperson of the Kaallaagte Farmers’ Association since 2020, he has championed knowledge sharing and spearheaded initiatives such as hosting commercial and livestock auctions in partnership with BKB. His dedication extends beyond the farm gate: he invests 10% of his profits into local development projects. Currently, he employs 22 seasonal workers, with ambitions to create permanent jobs and train young people for careers in agriculture.
Married to Elizabeth and father of three, Joseph is proud that two of his children are showing keen interest in farming – a hopeful third generation ready to cultivate Zandfontein.
Also read: More farmers honoured by Agricultural Writers SA
KwaZulu-Natal New Entrant to Commercial Agriculture of the Year
Originally from Amanzimtoti near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, Linda Mthalane relocated to Dundee after a 10-year career in the corporate hospitality industry. As a city woman stepping into a male-dominated space, Linda began her farming journey five years ago when she purchased her first cattle. She is one of the few producers breeding Simbra and Brahman cattle in the area where she farms.
After school she obtained a diploma in Hospitality Management from the International Hotel School, and later a New Managers’ Development Programme (NQF5) qualification from Stellenbosch University. However, she was forced to leave the hospitality industry during the Covid-19 pandemic.
After marrying her husband, Bonginkosi Nkosi, she invested her savings and money from her pension fund into Nkonyane Yenkosi Farming (Pty) Ltd.
She and Bonginkosi started with just eight cattle. Today, Rietvlei is home to approximately 200 breeding cattle, with five certified bulls. Linda oversees all aspects of the farm’s operations. Nkonyane Yenkosi Farming specialises in weaner production. The breeding stock is kept on the farm, and Linda rears calves until they are weaned. After the weaners have achieved the desirable weights, they are taken to auction and sold mostly to feedlot owners.
Although she has no formal training in agriculture, and many wondered how she would possibly know how to handle large animals, the farm is now where her heart is. “I absolutely love being a livestock farmer,” she says.
Other Winners
Jan Grey from Janvos Estate near Davel in Mpumalanga, a fourth-generation dairy farmer, was named the 2025 Farmer of the Year, and Dr Hendrik Smith, an agronomist and soil scientist from Gauteng with 31 years of experience in agriculture, is the Agriculturist of the Year.
