Lebogang Ramafoko is challenging conventional norms – one herd at a time. Transitioning from the city streets of Soweto to the farmlands of Mpumalanga, she has evolved from a horticulture enthusiast to a respected cattle breeder specialising in Simbra and Brahman cattle. Her journey is a powerful narrative of passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to both the land and her community. Lebogang Mashala visited her on her two farms in Mpumalanga.
By Lebogang Mashala, Editor at African Farming
In a world where livestock farming is often seen as a male-dominated field, Lebogang Ramafoko is breaking barriers, one cow at a time. Born and raised in the heart of Soweto, Johannesburg, Lebogang chose to leave city life behind to pursue her passion for farming in the open spaces of Mpumalanga. Today, she stands out as one of the few women in South Africa breeding Simbra and Brahman cattle, boldly forging her path in this industry. Her journey, marked by perseverance, strategic thinking, and a deep love for the land, is not only inspiring but also reshaping the narrative of who belongs in agriculture.
Lebogang began her farming journey in 2015, when she purchased her first cattle after relocating to Mpumalanga, having spent several years exploring her interest in agriculture. Before beginning her farming career, she worked as a horticultural operator at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo. Her fascination with the agricultural food chain sparked her desire to learn more about the sector, leading her to research the industry’s diversity.
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She attended Thabang Primary School before progressing to Forte High School for her secondary education. After completing matric, Lebogang participated in a horticulture learnership at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) in 2009. She became a permanent employee of the company in 2010 and continued her studies at UNISA, where she studied Economics Management Science in 2017. Her experiences at JCPZ ignited her passion for agriculture. In addition to her initial learnership, Lebogang completed a second learnership with Brucol, focusing on meat examination, NQF level 5 (2022), through the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Lebogang met her husband, Rama Ramafoko, who also comes from a farming family in Rustenburg, North West, in 2011. At that time, Rama was already working at the mines in Mpumalanga. The couple married in 2016 and have since been blessed with three children: Bothale and twins Reitumetse and Relebogile.
Livestock Speculation
In 2015, Lebogang began her cattle trading business, buying and selling cattle within a 90-kilometre radius of Lydenburg. At first, she faced difficulties because she did not own a farm where she could keep the cattle. She would purchase cattle on Tuesdays and sell them a few days later at an auction in Belfast. During this period, her profits were limited because she could not fatten her cattle and had to sell the livestock immediately.
With her modest profits from cattle trading and her salary, she started purchasing breeding animals. In 2017, she acquired a 33-hectare parcel of land, which she rented to house her first five Simbra cows. By 2019, her herd had grown to 38 cattle, making her realise that the land was no longer enough for grazing. “I started looking for a bigger farm to rent and was fortunate to find a 650-hectare farm on a 10-year long-term lease. This was the same year I resigned and chose to focus full-time on my farming business,” recalls Lebogang.
The Breeds that Work
Lebogang explains that they selected the Simbra breed for its excellent maternal qualities, high fertility, ease of calving, and strong maternal instincts. These traits help lower labour and veterinary costs, increase calf survival rates, and enhance overall herd productivity.
Simbra cattle produce high-quality beef with good carcass yields and favourable meat-to-bone ratios. “Their growth rates and feed conversion efficiency make them ideal for commercial beef operations. This dual-purpose utility-thriving in both extensive grazing systems and more intensive feedlot operations-enhances their appeal for farmers across various production systems,” she adds.
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She also notes that the calm temperament of Simbra cattle makes them easier to handle, reducing stress for both the animals and the farmers, which is a vital factor in large herd operations.
Lebogang says Simbra cattle are a popular choice due to their adaptability, resilience, and economic value. “As a crossbreed between Simmentaler and Brahman, Simbras combine the best traits of both parent lines, making them well-suited for the diverse and often challenging farming conditions found throughout the country,” she explains.
In her opinion, South Africa’s varied climates, which range from arid regions to areas with high rainfall, require livestock that can adapt and thrive in changing environmental conditions. This adaptability led them to choose the Brahman breed next.
Lebogang mentions that one of the standout qualities of the Brahman is its resilience to heat and drought, which is vital in regions with high temperatures and seasonal water shortages. “Their loose skin and short, glossy coat help regulate body temperature, while their well-developed sweat glands and ability to graze over long distances make them efficient for extensive farming systems,” she explains.
Additionally, Lebogang commends the Brahman for its strong natural resistance to ticks and other external parasites, which reduces reliance on chemical treatments and ultimately lowers production costs.
Breeding With Purpose
Currently, Lebogang’s herd includes over 100 pure Simbra cows and four stud bulls, along with more than 100 pure Brahman cows and five stud bulls. These cattle are bred on two farms: one spans 563 hectares near Secunda, which is state-owned, and the other is a 400-hectare farm in Trichardt that they purchased. Both farms are situated near Bethal in Mpumalanga.
Lebogang emphasises the importance of selecting highly productive female animals to ensure the profitability of her operation. An economically viable animal must calve annually and produce heavy calves. She says that any cows that fail to calve annually are immediately removed from the herd. “Our primary resources – land and grass – cannot be wasted on unproductive animals. We don’t have a large farm; therefore, we must be strict in making sure these resources are used efficiently,” she stresses.
She prefers cows that calve early in the season, as this indicates good fertility. “Cows must re-conceive within 84 days after calving that requires us to keep them in good condition. A dry cow needs 0.92 kg of rumen-degradable protein per day, which amounts to 460 grams for a 500 kg cow,” she explains.
During the summer, Lebogang offers a supplementary phosphate lick to support bone development, milk production, fertility, and overall health. In winter, when the grass loses its nutritional value, cattle receive a winter supplementary protein lick that enhances the intake and digestion of dry roughage while providing protein, minerals, and vitamins to promote the growth of microorganisms in the rumen.
“We have an annual vaccination plan and keep vaccination records. In case any animals fall ill, we administer medicine and record any diseases that arise,” she adds.
Lebogang has two breeding seasons, during which she divides the herds into two groups: 75% for summer breeding and 25% for winter breeding. “The advantages of summer breeding are that cows can easily conceive within 84 days after calving due to adequate grazing and nutrients. However, the downside is that many calves contract illnesses, resulting in significant expenses for veterinary care. The common illnesses include three-day stiffness disease, and with lots of flies around, lumpy skin disease also becomes a problem,” she explains.
Fewer animals are kept for winter breeding because mothers need heavy feed immediately after calving to re-conceive within 84 days. “So, in winter breeding, we mainly spend on feed, whereas in summer, our expenses are mostly related to medicine,” she adds.
Empowering the Workforce
During the breeding season, bulls are paired with the cows for a maximum of two months. The first, smaller group of cows begins their breeding period from September to October, while the second group breeds for a shorter period of 45 days in December and January. The first group starts calving in June, while the second group will calve in September.
As part of its future growth and sustainability plans, Lebogang emphasises that Ramafoko Farming is focusing on management training and human resource development for its seven employees. “Recognising the crucial role that skilled and confident personnel play in the success of any enterprise, the company is committed to upskilling its workforce and enhancing performance in key operational areas,” she notes.
Lebogang has commenced ongoing participation in courses and workshops to improve skills in planning and organisation, quality control, production system implementation, and effective coordination and management of operational activities. “The supervisor is currently undergoing agricultural management training, specifically in Beef Production Management at NQF Level 4, to improve farm output and serve as a resource of knowledge for other staff.”
All staff are encouraged to enrol in Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) programmes that focus on literacy, numeracy, and other relevant short courses at NQF Level 1. These programmes will provide both practical workplace skills and transferable competencies for wider employment opportunities.
To support skills development, Ramafoko plans to collaborate with registered and AgriSETA-accredited service providers. These partnerships will ensure high-quality training and ongoing mentorship, encouraging best practices and upholding excellent standards across all operations.
By prioritising training and personal development, Ramafoko Farming is not only securing its future in agriculture but also investing in the growth of its people. “We believe that a skilled workforce is the backbone of sustainable farming success,” Lebogang says.
The company has also established the Botlhale Foundation, named after their firstborn. “Botlhale,” which means wisdom, serves as a platform for Ramafoko Farming to give back by assisting the community and developing farmers through knowledge sharing.
“We also believe that knowledge is power, and information should be shared; no farmer can be successful alone,” Lebogang says.
“The foundation aims to host workshops where various farmers can come together to share their knowledge and challenges, providing encouragement and promoting the value of farming.”
